Stories in which the reports of a character's death have been greatly exaggerated have been around since pretty much forever. Jesus is obviously the big one for Western culture at this point, but there's also King Arthur being taken off to sleep until he's needed again - actually there are a bunch of 'sleeping king' stories. And there are innumerable fairytales and myths where a character returns from seeming death.
I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head - pseudo-death stories serve a different function from death stories. Death stories are all about grief, and loss, and a certain kind of catharsis. Pseudo-death stories are a reminder of hope, that things lost can be regained, even if they're altered, and that there is a cyclical aspect to nature, and that things come back, in one form or another.
So in other words, I don't actually have anything intelligent to add, I'm mostly just agreeing with you.
Also! As far as where people imprinted on the pseudo-death story, there's also Disney's Robin Hood and any version of Snow White.
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Date: 2007-02-22 12:48 am (UTC)I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head - pseudo-death stories serve a different function from death stories. Death stories are all about grief, and loss, and a certain kind of catharsis. Pseudo-death stories are a reminder of hope, that things lost can be regained, even if they're altered, and that there is a cyclical aspect to nature, and that things come back, in one form or another.
So in other words, I don't actually have anything intelligent to add, I'm mostly just agreeing with you.
Also! As far as where people imprinted on the pseudo-death story, there's also Disney's Robin Hood and any version of Snow White.