ANSWER
Certainly. In Girard’s framework, scapegoating is a recurring mechanism to resolve societal tensions. Here are a few examples:
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Ancient Myths: In Greek mythology, Oedipus is blamed for the plague in Thebes, despite his ignorance of his actions. His expulsion restores order.
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Religious Texts: In the Bible, Jesus is crucified as a scapegoat to absolve societal sins, embodying the innocent victim whose sacrifice brings peace.
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Witch Hunts: In medieval Europe, women accused of witchcraft were scapegoated for societal ills like crop failures or disease, uniting communities through their persecution.
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Modern Politics: Minority groups, immigrants, or political dissidents are often scapegoated during crises (e.g., Jews in Nazi Germany, or Muslims post-9/11), diverting blame and reinforcing group cohesion.
These examples illustrate how scapegoating serves as a tool to redirect collective anxiety and restore perceived order.