> > As for catharsis, the purging of the emotions through certain types of art:
> >
> > Both times that this occured were during difficult parts of my life, and I'm sure that I needed to cry without thinking "you're so selfish...so immature...grow up and stop crying over your meaningless problems."
> >
> >
>
> Mmmm... I don't think that is "catharsis." What you're describing sounds more like engagement of the emotions by vicarious experience. If you're crying not because of your own hurt, but through means of the actions and events portrayed by someone else: then you are vicariously experiencing and 'venting' *that person's* perceived emotions... not your own.
>

What is catharsis, then? When I described my understanding of it, I meant that by reading "Gone With The Wind," I was able to vent my own emotions. It started vicariously, but I was very soon crying over a mixture of Scarlett O'Hara's problems and my own similar emotions. I rarely cried over my own problems until then, because I thought it was shameful and childish. However, the tragedy in the book made me cry, and I didn't feel childish, because it was over a book, not self-pity.

Hmmm...I'm afraid this is as clear as it gets. I may have misunderstood the definition of "catharsis," however. I hope more people get involved in this topic---I think it's interesting.

--Jez"frankly, Jess, I don't give a damn"..."wahhhh!!!"zika