Question

Examples of contagious magic are illustrated by all

except which one of the following?
a) the practice of the Asaro of New Guinea in
burying the newborn's umbilical cord
b) the reading of a chicken's entrails in seeking
a cause of illness
c) high value placed upon a document inscribed
with the signature of a famous person
d) attaching a strand of hair to a Voudou doll
e) a sorcerer's obtaining a fingernail clipping of
someone he or she wishes to harm

Answer 1

Contagious magic refers to the magical belief that items once in contact with a person maintain a connection. The example of placing high value on a document with a famous person's signature does not illustrate contagious magic, as it does not involve physical contact or items directly connected to a person's body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which of the given examples does not illustrate contagious magic. Contagious magic is based on the law of contagion, which suggests that things that have been in contact always maintain a connection. Based on the definition by Sir James G. Frazer, examples would involve the use of personal items or parts of a person's body such as hair or fingernails. Therefore, the examples that fit contagious magic are burying the newborn's umbilical cord, attaching a strand of hair to a Voudou doll, and a sorcerer obtaining a fingernail clipping to harm someone.

However, the high value placed upon a document signed by a famous person is more related to the law of similarity, which is different from the law of contagion, and therefore, it does not illustrate contagious magic. It represents a psychological or sentimental value rather than a mystical or magical connection resulting from physical contact.