Votive masks prove the ritual was transformative rather than punitive

Evidence

This is — I want to flag the importance of this — the masks are the strongest evidence we have that the original ritual was a transformative ordeal, not a punitive spectacle. Punishment does not require costumes. Transformation does. The masks suggest the original meaning of the ritual was about the boy becoming someone else. The blood — if there was blood — was less the point than the threshold-crossing. — , The Rod and the Child, 329

Categorization

• FICTION: The grotesque masks worn during a coming-of-age ordeal is rich scene material for historical or fantasy fiction.
• XREF: connects to: The ritual view of communication maintains society in time through shared beliefs — James W. Carey, Communication as Culture- Essays on…, 161; Masks let guilt be displayed without exposing faces — Jeremy Bentham, The Panopticon Writings, 20

Broader Connections

• The ritual view of communication maintains society in time through shared beliefs #corroborates (0.50) — James W. Carey, Communication as Culture- Essays on…, 161