The Abject Body

The Abject Body

When considering 'the abject body' - what it is; what it means; why it is considered to be abject - it is useful to first remind ourselves of the definition of abject.

According to one source, ‘abject’ describes something as being “Brought low in condition or status”, “Being of the most contemptible kind”, “Being of the most miserable kind, wretched” (Thefreedictionary.com). Other definitions include :-

1.   Utterly wretched or hopeless

2.   Miserable, Forlorn, Dejected

3.   Indicating humiliation, Submissive

4.   Contemptible, Despicable, Servile.

Interestingly, the word abject has Latin roots which translate literally as Cast Away; which gives the sense of rejection or outcast.

In the same way then that someone who does not conform or do what is considered ‘normal’ can be said to be ‘abnormal’; something which is unwanted or appears repulsive to another can be considered abject.

Brought low in condition or status, most contemptible, most miserable, wretched, hopeless, humiliated, submissive, despicable, rejected and cast away – surely this totally encapsulates and describes The Prostitute.

The prostitute has been around for centuries and prostitution is often referred to as “The Oldest Profession”. But what of the body which is being prostituted? What makes that body so miserable, so wretched, so contemptible, so…… abject? (and abject on so many different levels).

The body (and in particular the female body) is thought to be one of the most beautiful forms in nature. Little wonder then that it is so often an object of desire. Usually, this would be considered a good thing yet the body of a prostitute – which is so often the object of desire (even if only briefly) is an abject body. How so?

In a broader sense of things, prostitutes are society’s rejects and are an embarrassment to government and local councils who do not want them on their streets. They do not know what to do with prostitutes and consider them a plague on moral society, they are unwanted, outcasts, abject.

 

 

 

 

 

Feeling humiliated and rejected, they go underground and having been brought low in condition or status they are thus abject.

Dominating the backstreets, prostitutes are exposing themselves to unclean environments. Dirt and disease are more rife. Catching, Carrying and Transmitting infections and diseases, these are abject bodies.

 Often, prostitutes are drug users and their wasting bodies, lined with track marks are an outward sign of their abjectness.

Inwardly and less obvious, many prostitutes are mentally scarred – often the result of abuse from an early age. This results in many becoming dependant not only on drugs but on affection/ attention from any source offering it; they are also often willing to do anything to satisfy this neediness. Unfortunately they form attachments to others who do not truly care for them and they are quickly used and quickly cast aside – rejected – abject.

 

 Insecurities and an inability to make wise decisions, leads the body further underground where there is a lack of self- respect, self-worth and a great moral decline. Sometimes objects of lust, sometimes objects of hate; these bodies serve to satisfy all kinds of fetish. These bodies carry mental and physical scars from such servitude.

Depressed and unable to pull themselves out of this descent into depravity causes some to look for alternative ways out – to take their mind off the pain. Self-harming is evident in scars or burn marks – some look for permanent solutions and attempt suicide – often succeeding.

Or not.

We have only touched on the surface here as the length to which we could research some of these issues is endless. However, the obvious remains – the prostitute is in every sense an abject body.

 

Some quotes about prostitution :

“I believe that sex is one of the most beautiful, natural, wholesome things which money can buy.” – Steve Martin.

 

“I’m just a musical prostitute, my dear!” – Freddy Mercury.

Churchill – “Will you sleep with me for 5 million pounds?”

Socialite – “My goodness!, Mr Churchill..... Well, I suppose…. We would have to discuss terms, of course….”

Churchill – “Would you sleep with me for 5 pounds?”

Socialite – “Mr Churchill, What kind of woman do you think I am?”

Churchill – “Madam, we’ve already established that. Now we are haggling about the price”.