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OP In his surrealistic novel Naked Lunch (1959) U.S. novelist W. S. Burroughs frequently evokes the idea of a completely hopeless situation causing spontaneous death, citing the example of what he calls "the jungle rat."
Here's a characteristic example:
Quote:
During my rather brief experience as a psychoanalyst—spot of bother with the Society—one patient ran amok in Grand Central with a flame thrower, two committed suicide and one died on the couch like a jungle rat (jungle rats are subject to die if confronted suddenly with a hopeless situation. [p. 23]
Is this pseudo-zoology or does it have some basis in reality? If yes, what animal is the jungle rat; and is there a term to describe the phenomenon?
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted Psychogenic death? Hydra 11/26/06 05:56 AM Re: Psychogenic death? Hydra 11/26/06 07:21 AM Re: Psychogenic death? dalehileman 11/26/06 04:18 PM Re: Psychogenic death? AlimaeHP 11/26/06 04:31 PM Re: Psychogenic death? AlimaeHP 11/26/06 04:46 PM Re: Psychogenic death? Hydra 11/27/06 04:52 AM Re: Psychogenic death? Faldage 11/27/06 11:43 AM Re: Psychogenic death? Hydra 11/27/06 12:18 PM Re: Psychogenic death!!!!!!!!!!! Hydra 11/27/06 12:27 PM Re: Psychogenic death!!!!!!!!!!! dalehileman 11/27/06 04:21 PM Voodoo death Hydra 11/27/06 06:08 PM
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