...encourage economic exchange and to socialise children into appropriate behaviour patterns (Belk, 1979). Obligations within a community require that individuals are required to give, receive and to reciprocate (Mauss, 1954). In his essay the French anthropologist-sociologist Marcel Mauss (1954), presented a theoretical analysis of the gift-giving process, that was based on his examination of giftgiving amongst various primitive, secluded, or ancient societies. He concluded that giftgiving is a self-perpetuating system of reciprocity and summarised three types of obligations which preserve gift-giving: 1. The obligation to give. 2. The obligation to receive. 3. The obligation to repay. The requirement to give may be ingrained in religious or moral necessities, with a strong need to recognise and maintain a status hierarchy and to establish or maintain peaceful relations, or merely the expectation of reciprocal giving. These motives, which do not acknowledge purely selfless giving, become embedded into the fabric of a society so that under appropriate conditions an individual is socially obligated to give. Receiving gifts is seen as equally mandatory and evading or refusing gifts is interpreted as an unsociable or even hostile act. Tensions are created in receiving a gift and Mauss attributed this...
Words: 4262 - Pages: 18
...Guide, Mauss, The Gift Anthropology 125A/Econ 152A Economic Anthropology Reading Guide for Mauss, The Gift NOTE: use this guide to the extent that you find it helpful. You will hopefully have already read through the reading once. The guide is long because I often include quotations from the book. You can use this to reexamine points that I think important. I ask many questions. I do not expect you to be able to answer them. Ponder over the quotations and questions for a second. That pondering, even for a second, will help you focus better on sections in the coming week as we figure out the answers together. ------------------------ Consider this quote. Don’t worry if you don’t know everything he is referring to. Be sure to think about the sentence in bold: Note: “Utilitarianism” in Mauss refers to “liberalism,” (or economics as you are taught it and ‘market society’ as we have studied it in this course: focused on the individual as homo economicus, who puts individual self-interest first, and in where society is organize through and via the free market) “{In The Gift] Mauss summarily eliminates the two utilitarian ideologies that purport to account for the evolution of contracts: “natural economy,” Smith’s idea that individual barter was aboriginal; and the notion that primitive communities were altruistic, giving way eventually to our own regrettably selfish, but more efficient individualism. Against the contemporary move [i.e. at the time that Mauss was...
Words: 3502 - Pages: 15
...Taylor Croft Fisher English Honors 4 24 September 2017 Gold and Gift-Giving During the Anglo-Saxon era, gold and gift-giving was something that was used as a motivation for people to make heroic moves. No one just walked around giving out gold to everyone, it was earned. Today, money is earned by Gold was important to Anglo-Saxons because it showed the success of heroes and their characteristics of a hero, and their character. “For this, this gold, these jewels, I thank our Father in heaven, ruler of Earth- for all of this, that his grace has given me, allowed me to bring to my people while breath still came to my lips. I sold l=my life for this treasure, and i sold it well” (CR lines 200-205). The Anglo-Saxon era is very similar to the world right now because money still rules the earth and everything is surrounded by money. Today, gifts are given out to everyone. They don’t have to do anything heroic, they could just be a friend or a family member whom in which are loved. Gifts are gave away for birthdays, holidays, and important moments in lives. This is where the concept of greed comes in, today, mostly everyone expects some sort of gift to be received on important days, even when they do not deserve it. This decreases the meaning of gifts. The first evidence of greed was when Eve committed sin by picking fruit from the tree in the garden of Eden. Even though not everyone is religious, these influences have evidently historically shaped the idea of gift-giving today...
Words: 445 - Pages: 2
...Why do Japanese business men avoid eye contact during business meetings? This is a question that has a simple answer. But there is so much more to the meaning and culture that leads to it. Ever since history shows, the Japanese culture is focused around honor and respect. There are 3 things that are majorly important to know when going to a business meeting with Japanese businessmen. 1. Introduction 2. Business Cards/ Gift exchange 3. Body Language Introduction: Upon the start of a business meeting ( if you are the host ) greet you’re guest(s) with a bow. This is a basic greeting from Japan just as a handshake is in the United States. Then promptly seat them the furthest from the door that you can. Business Cards: Among the Japanese, when businessmen meet each other, business begins with the exchange of business cards (Kumayama, 1991). Business cards are to be given and received with both hands. As well as not being put away right away. Japanese businessmen find it respectful for you to review the card when it is handed to you. Gift Exchange: To receive a gift at a meeting is to be expected. When receiving a gift, stand, bow, and receive the gift with both hands. To remain seated and accept the gift with one hand is considered disrespectful. The Japanese may feel as if you pay no value to the fact that they brought you a gift (Kumayama, 1991). Body Language: There are a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to, what may seem normal things, do at a meeting. Small things such...
Words: 533 - Pages: 3
...I stort tell you the Grinch is guilty because he is a person with not so good of way’s. The Grinch is guilty of the charges brought against him and for having poor character. I am going to tell some of the reasons I no he is guilty of the charges brought against him. My first reason i am not for the grinch is because he is a mean person. He don’t like the girl at first. The reason he don’t like the girl was because he don’t like christmas. I get the reason he don’t like christmas cause some people don’t get something for christmas.For example what i was ten year old . I don’t get eaten thing. The seand reason i am not for the grinch is that he is rude he is rude because he don’t want to see he’s mom went he seen them.I don’t know why because...
Words: 252 - Pages: 2
...Gift Giving The human service field is a field of helping. When people are helping people, it is natural and in some cultural cases, required to offer gifts of appreciation. There are many fine lines that divide the boundaries of gift giving within the helping industry. The value of the gift must be considered, the policies of the agency that a helper is employed by as well as the expectations that could potentially be attached to that gift. Some agencies have policies that avoid this dilemma all together and state absolutely no gifts will be given or received from clients. Other agencies will state that in order to avoid any insults or culture disrespect, a helper is allowed to receive a gift and ensure the client that the agency thanks them and the gift will be shared with the staff. Gifts from clients can have many or no strings attached. Some gifts come genuinely from the heart and are simply a cultural way of thanking someone for their help. Other clients however could have an ulterior motive behind the gift and consider the acceptance of the gift from the helper an indication that their relationship just took a step in a different direction. Whether or not a helper has permission to accept a gift, they must have the knowledge and capability to identify the boundaries of each client and the gift. In the revised version of the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, it states in section A.10.f. “Counselors understand the challenges of accepting gifts from clients...
Words: 492 - Pages: 2
...Brianna Wells October 15, 2013 Professor Green Mon. /Wed. 3:00-4:15 pm Exchange is the idea that an item is given in order to receive something in return. The society in which we live in is commercial, we base our exchanges on money and materialistic items for our benefit; whether it is for survival or based upon our simple wants such as things that are usually given as gifts. Other societies, like the Kula tribe of the Trobriand Archipelago Islands, believe in the idea of gift giving not for trade or a system of bartering, but for the natural well-being of their society. They use it as a way to regulate their society. The Kula tribe of the Archipelagoes Islands participates in a system known as the “Kula Ring” in which typically the men of this and surrounding societies meet with one another in the ceremonial trade of armshells and necklaces. Although the trade is within the surrounding islands, there are some islands which are exempt and others that are known for their slow exchange causing other islands to dislike trading with them. Although these items are considered “gifts” they are never kept permanently; they are usually traded amongst one another over and over again, but there are exceptions. Few of the members of the Kula Exchange have permanent gifts which are family heirlooms, these men are the seen as more influential within the society. In fact, this trade is also a way to distinguish class within the tribes of these islands; the men with the most pieces...
Words: 589 - Pages: 3
...Art and intention Art and Intention Summarize the reaction of the public to Michelangelo’s David and Marcel Duchamp’s Nude Descending a Staircase. The Marcel Duchamp’s Nude Descending art work became one of the controversial works because people thought he was mocking the audience because they could not find a woman in the painting. Critics and art magazine were offing the public monies just to find a woman in the painting. The public did not like the Michelangelo’s David art work. They felt it was defensive due to the fact that male genital exposed. That was during a time were woman and children were considered fragile. Over a period time when it was finally out to it resting place in the front of the seat of government in Florence they covered his male genitals with and it varies from the original which was a bronze leaf to the replicates of white leaf. But even the leaf that was chosen meant something. What did contemporary viewers find objectionable about each work? Duchamp’s Nude descent carried the same puzzlement due to the fact that a visible recognized woman could not be found. He wanted the viewer to stretch their imagination to see the woman. The objections to the statue David was the same all over the full frontal and back of David. To capture the full form of a nude, young, vital male, was to sexual and obscene for those time. What are the reasons behind Duchamp’s innovative approach to human form? I believe he wanted to combine...
Words: 445 - Pages: 2
...Running Head: DADAISM AND POP ART 1 IWT Task 1; Dadaism and Pop Art Angela Costa Western Governor’s University IWT Task 1; Dadaism and Pop Art Artistic interpretations have changed and molded tremendously throughout history. Many historical artists found art as an outlet for what was happening currently in their time periods. Dadaism began in Switzerland in 1916 as a response to World War I. Influenced by the earlier Cubism, this style of art ranged from paintings, sculptures, poetry, and photography. Dadaism is well known for the way it ridiculed materialistic and nationalistic attitudes. They were un-conventionalist in every manor. The Dada artists opposed and resented the social classes who thought that they could control the working class. Dadaists were disgusted by the nationalism that fed into World War 1 and were against any form of group leadership or dictatorship. They were upset that the modern European society would allow war to happen and this is how they knew to protest the idea of war. And if war was to happen then any traditions in any facet where thrown out the window, including art. They believed the art at this time had no meaning and if they were to continue to create art, they would make non-art to show that they did not agree with the current dramas. Dadaist tried to separate themselves from society norms in every which way they could. Even the explanation of how they got the name “Dada”...
Words: 1537 - Pages: 7
...movement began in Zurich and New York around the time of the First World War. ("Dada," n.d.) Dadaism was aimed at the artists who felt art created spiritual values. There was a focus on the failure of this by the endless days of war, the art of previous era’s had done nothing to create spiritual values in the followers mind. Dada was a protest against what they felt was the root cause of war. Dada was an “anti-art” according to Hans Richter, one of the founders of this movement. Dada was used to offend people; it ignored aesthetics and was generally preposterous in form. Many of the art displays were made of different mediums such as urinals, garbage, bus tickets, even snow shovels. One of the more known pieces from the Dadaism period is from Marcel Duchamp “Fountain” in 1917 it was simply a urinal. This shows us that with Dadaism they were able to create art even from objects that would normally not be considered art. Surrealism as an art movement officially started in 1924. In 1924 The Surrealist Manifesto written by Andre Breton was published. Many of the artistic pieces of this era are dream like. Some type of art to wonder and marvel at, not an art of reason. ("Dada," n.d.) Surrealism is thought to have been formed as a reaction to Dadaism art movement, which was a protest of the carnages of World War 1. Surrealism was more focused on the positive outcomes of change happening in the world at that time. The common themes that can be seen in many of the paintings are the dreamy...
Words: 1093 - Pages: 5
...The African Dogon Tribe NAME: DATE: Table of Contents |1 |Introduction |3 | |2 |Brief History |3 | |3 |Education |4 | | | | | |4 |Religion |4 | |5 |Art & Social Norms |5 | |6 |Economy |6 | |7 |Conclusion |6 | |8 |References |7 | Introduction: In this paper, I will discuss the brief history of the Dogon tribe which is located in the western side...
Words: 1680 - Pages: 7
...The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview about my experience attending the Philadelphia Art Museum on March 15, 2013. The museum is Located in Philadelphia, PA and the exhibition that caught my attention was Journeys to New Worlds it explores the artistic exchanges between Spain and Portugal and their colonies in the Americas and Asia during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. (The Philadelphia Museum of Art, p. Philadelphia Art Museum). A journey to New Worlds originates The exhibition is magnificent and two pieces that I enjoyed were Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Bishop Saints, and Our Lady of Pomata, a coquera. It is extremely quite as people stop in different areas to look around at so much art. I personally found some place to sit and absorb as much information as I could. My fiancé came along with me only because it is a long drive from where I live and I do not like driving far by myself. He enjoyed it as much as I did; we both sat there and studied different pieces for quite a while. Although Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Bishop Saints interested me you seem to understand the comparison while looking at it after being there, I feel that this picture focuses on the child because he is the center of this image, and the mother's love and caring that is expressed in her face and in the way that she is holding the kid. Looking for some reference about the painting I found that it is Roberta and Richard Huber’s collection reflects the arts at continuing...
Words: 657 - Pages: 3
...being French poet Tristan Tzara thrust a knife into pages of a dictionary, randomly finding a name for the movement. (Dada) Officially, Dada was not a movement, the artists not artists, and the art not art and there was one basic rule: Never follow any known rules. (Esaak) As an early form of Shock Art, the artists used mild obscenities, visual puns, sarcasm, and everyday items as art. Assemblage, collage, photomontage and the use of ready-made objects all gained wide acceptance due to their use in Dada art. (Esaak) Dada is known for the “ready-made” art and using bright colors. This no rules theory of the movement worked until it started to become accepted, which caused the movement to die off. A popular artist in America was Marcel...
Words: 1331 - Pages: 6
...Realism and Surrealism: Defining the Arts WGU Realism and Surrealism: Defining the Arts Realism was created as a response to the withstanding Romanticism of the first half in the 19th century. This response was attributed by the occurrence of the Bourgeois revolts of 1848, which changed literary tastes. After Bourgeois prevailed, the revolution brought on economic reform and later Socialism and class struggle, which interrupted the social scene. In this era of changes, writers began to study the reality of the world around them. History and mythology lost their literary importance to many (Rubin). Aesthetically realistic paintings were just that, realistic depictions of real-time scenes. In keeping with Gustave Courbet’s statement in 1861 “painting is an essentially concrete art and can only consist in the representation of real and existing things” (Finocchio). In realism, there is no personification of people as mythical beings, no glorifications, and romanticizing takes no place. The focus of this art period was on the common man. Surrealism is a type of art and literature that developed in the 20th century, officially in 1924. Surrealism grew through Europe between World War I and World War II. It was founded by a small group of artists attempting to unlock the power of imagination and heavily influenced by Sigmund Freud. Surrealism evolved from the Dada movement, which created paintings of anti-art that purposely defied normal reasoning to the viewer...
Words: 905 - Pages: 4
...Treatment of time in Mrs Dalloway. In 1925 Virginia Woolf’s novel Mrs Dalloway was published. Virginia Woolf wrote Mrs Dalloway about the perambulations of a middle aged woman on a sunny June day in London, and it became one of the main Modernist classics. One of the most prominent themes in Mrs Dalloway is time and the distinction between two types of time. The clock measures time, but on the other hand time is represented by the duration of experiences as the human consciousness registers them. The time told by the timepiece of the mind is called psychological time, a term taken from the philosopher Henri Bergson. There are two different types of time: the time the clock tells and time in the human mind. These two types of time have distinct characteristics, which clearly separate one from the other. Clock time governs the relentless progress of life, ordering events in a chronological, linear sequence according to when they happened in time. It is what history is made of. Minutes, hours, days, weeks, years and centuries are all indicators of clock time. The other type of time is the temporal experience in the human mind: it is flexible; it is constantly in flux and can be compressed or extended. A period that is compressed in the mind seems to pass very quickly in comparison to clock time: an event took more clock time than the human mind perceived. When time is extended, the actual time span of an event was much shorter that experienced. Time on the mind is also referred...
Words: 3023 - Pages: 13
