While it might seem fanciful as a dramatic device, there's something quietly moving about watching Damian's self-consciousness turn to momentary release as he mimics the steps that Kevin demonstrates from a dance based on the kriah, the Jewish mourning ritual of tearing garments.
In the midst of the Vatican sex abuse scandal in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI delivered a speech in which he referred to the visions of a medieval mystic, in whose eyes "the face of the church is stained with dust… her garment torn by the sins of priests".
You tore your garments with despair when he signed with the Eagles.
The Virgin cradles her dead son's head and leans imploringly into his face as if to revive him with her breath, while in the sky above, angels tear their garments and howl.
Many of the same commentators, who rightly tear their garments over every tragic incident, are precisely the same ones who want government to shrink, rail against the interventionist "nanny state", condemn local authorities for what they pay to senior staff and feel taxation – at whatever level – is too high.
Ezra goes as far as to rend or tear his garments and pull hair from his head and beard upon hearing of the people's sin (9 3).
Around its neck and bottom it wears many rag strips, probably torn from the garments of clients who entrusted this particular nkisi with assignments like witch-killing.
She has torn off her outer garments, which she twines into a rope so that she can pull him to safety.
He was willing to figuratively tear open that garment and show the heart beating underneath.
"It's a wrenching that happens, a tearing, like a garment that's being pulled apart".
Floating with her, pouring buckets of water over the sculpture in an effort to keep the clay moist despite the heat, watching parts of her habit and garment tear apart, seeing her face crack, her fingertips dry out, was like bringing her to her end.
