Classical Studies 3211F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Theogony, Elpis, Chinook Jargon
23 Sep 2016
School
Department
Professor
Document Summary
Woman, fire, and dangerous things: sacrifice and deception in hesiod. Studies the phenomenon of gift exchange through cultures of the pacific northwest (kwakiutl), polynesia (maori), melanesia (trobriand islands), along with ancient indic, The kwakiutl potlatch: the three obligations to give, to receive, to reciprocate. Potlatch : from chinook jargon (pacific northwest trade language) pa a , By giving away gifts, he is maintaining his position of authority. Position is lost if enough is not given. One does not have the right to refuse a gift or a potlatch. To do so would show fear of having to repay and of being abased in default. One would lose the weight" of one"s name by admitting defeat in advance. In certain circumstances, however, a refusal can be an assertion of victory and invincibility. Mauss, the gift, p. 39: if you do not accept the give, it makes it seem like you do not want to have to repay the person.
