In 1999, a very postmodern movie entered the programs of movie theatres: Being John Malkovich. In this extraordinary piece of film, unemployed puppeteer Craig Schwartz makes a bizarre discovery. Being hired as a file sorter, Schwartz discovers a little door in the 7 1/2 story of his new workplace, which leads right into the brain of actor John Malkovich. He can see, hear, smell and feel what Malkovich does.
What a desirable notion for an anthropologist. No more speculation about the motives, norms, relations or beliefs that makes humans think and do certain things. Beyond ethnography, it could be even more fascinating to find out what the fathers of our own professional lineage caused them to perceive the anthropological subject in specific ways. The following account is foremost an experiment in the creative possibilities of rethinking anthropological theory. I want to gain an insight into the life and work of Victor Turner by partly playing his role in this paper. How do I legitimize this unconventional analysis?
I see it as a logical consequence of postmodern thinking and practice. If the “Self” and the “Other” are categories of thought rather than discrete entities, I see no reason why I should not speak with the voice of the Other. Also, as we are diagnosed to be subjective, why not include subjective fictional elements in our writing? My paper does not follow the exact rules of general scientific writing as to coherence, style and precision of facts. But in a Batesonesque experiment I apply his method of loose and strict thinking (Bateson 1973: 47-49) to approach the life and work of Victor Turner. By participating in the identity and biography of Victor Turner I observe his specific way of thinking. The major part of the paper deals with Victor Turner´s personal and academic life which are closely linked to his notions of culture, ritual and the anthropological subject. The final section will briefly discuss the connections of (auto)biography and anthropology from a theoretical viewpoint.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Victor about Victor
- Age 1 through 18
- The Road to Anthropology
- Fieldwork
- 3. (Auto)Biography and Theory
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The primary objective of this paper is to explore the life and work of Victor Turner through a creative, postmodern lens. It aims to gain insight into Turner's thinking by partially adopting his perspective, utilizing a blend of biographical information and fictional elements. This unconventional approach is justified as a consequence of postmodern thought, challenging traditional boundaries between the "Self" and "Other" in academic writing.
- The interplay between personal biography and anthropological theory.
- Victor Turner's intellectual development and shift towards ritual studies.
- The concept of the "social drama" and its role in understanding social processes.
- The influence of structural-functionalism and Marxism on Turner's work.
- The significance of ritual in resolving social conflict.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the unconventional methodology of the paper, drawing a parallel between the film "Being John Malkovich" and the author's desire to inhabit the perspective of Victor Turner to analyze his work. The author justifies this postmodern approach, arguing that the subjective nature of research necessitates incorporating subjective elements into writing. The chapter outlines the paper's structure, focusing on Turner's personal and academic life and their connection to his anthropological concepts.
2. Victor about Victor: This chapter delves into Victor Turner's life, beginning with his childhood and early influences. It details his upbringing, including his parents' professions and the impact of their divorce on his development. The narrative transitions to his wartime experiences, his shift towards anthropology, and the pivotal role of fieldwork among the Ndembu in shaping his theoretical perspective. It highlights the influence of key figures like Max Gluckman and the development of his concept of the "social drama" as a response to both structural-functionalist and Marxist perspectives, emphasizing the significance of ritual in resolving social conflicts within the Ndembu society.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Victor Turner, anthropology, ritual, social drama, structural-functionalism, Marxism, biography, autobiography, fieldwork, Ndembu, social conflict, processualism.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Creative Postmodern Analysis of Victor Turner
What is the main objective of this paper?
The primary objective is to explore the life and work of Victor Turner through a creative, postmodern lens. It aims to gain insight into Turner's thinking by partially adopting his perspective, blending biographical information and fictional elements. This unconventional approach challenges traditional boundaries between the "Self" and "Other" in academic writing.
What are the key themes explored in this paper?
Key themes include the interplay between personal biography and anthropological theory; Victor Turner's intellectual development and shift towards ritual studies; the concept of the "social drama" and its role in understanding social processes; the influence of structural-functionalism and Marxism on Turner's work; and the significance of ritual in resolving social conflict.
What is the methodology employed in this paper?
The paper employs an unconventional, postmodern methodology. It draws a parallel to the film "Being John Malkovich," aiming to inhabit the perspective of Victor Turner to analyze his work. The author justifies this subjective approach, arguing that the subjective nature of research necessitates incorporating subjective elements into writing.
What aspects of Victor Turner's life are covered?
The paper covers various aspects of Victor Turner's life, from his childhood and early influences, including his parents' professions and the impact of their divorce, to his wartime experiences and his shift towards anthropology. It details his pivotal fieldwork among the Ndembu and the influence of key figures like Max Gluckman on his theoretical development.
How does the paper connect Turner's personal life to his anthropological theories?
The paper explores the strong connection between Turner's personal experiences and the development of his anthropological theories. It shows how his upbringing, fieldwork experiences, and interactions with key figures shaped his concepts, particularly his concept of "social drama" as a response to both structural-functionalist and Marxist perspectives.
What is the significance of the "social drama" concept?
The paper highlights the significance of Turner's "social drama" concept as a crucial tool for understanding social processes, particularly within the context of the Ndembu society. It emphasizes the role of ritual in resolving social conflicts.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into chapters: an introduction outlining the methodology and structure; a chapter focusing on Turner's life ("Victor about Victor"), detailing his childhood, academic development, and fieldwork; and a chapter exploring the intersection of his biography and theoretical contributions. The paper also includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key influences on Victor Turner's work?
The paper discusses the significant influence of structural-functionalism and Marxism on Turner's work, showing how he responded to and integrated elements of these perspectives in developing his own unique anthropological approach.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Victor Turner, anthropology, ritual, social drama, structural-functionalism, Marxism, biography, autobiography, fieldwork, Ndembu, social conflict, processualism.
- Citation du texte
- Rene Kaufmann (Auteur), 2004, Being Victor Turner, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/33018
