Abstract
The concept of medusamorphosis developed in this book illuminates the powerful agency and tantalising influence of narratives of fascination, which succeed in captivating viewers or readers to the extent that they entirely submit to the aesthetic experience of fascination. As indicated by the image of Medusa, these narratives can return the gaze. They do so by triggering intense, yet conflicting aesthetic responses, which lead to an overstimulation of sensory faculties and paralyse rational judgements in the dual experience of attraction and repulsion. This cognitive disorientation often arises from the confrontation with ethically repulsive, yet aesthetically beautiful images that occur in aestheticised but forbidden objects or scenes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Copyright information
© 2015 Sibylle Baumbach
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Baumbach, S. (2015). Conclusion: The Journey Ahead. In: Literature and Fascination. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137538017_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137538017_8
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-56516-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-53801-7
eBook Packages: Palgrave Literature CollectionLiterature, Cultural and Media Studies (R0)