SOCI201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Extortion, Lovers' Lane, Thomas Nast

• School: University of Delaware
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOCI201
• Professor: Best Joel

Document Summary

Occasion when boys would spend weeks plotting what they were going to do: trick or treat = extortion. Became innocent childhood event: 19th century was when people thought about production, 20th century was centered around having things, halloween is training people to be consumers, domesticating holidays by inventing traditions. Mainly for children: thomas nast, 19th century santa, christmas is centered around the child, halloween was always celebrated diversly, early on women would see husband in mirror, now #2 holiday for businesses. Halloween sadism- idea that people alter threats: redefined what we believe crime, best does research on this, people always have reasons, no reasons why, contemporary legend: story told as true, learn by hearing from others. Hook arm story don"t park at lovers lane. These all have elements; motif: terrible random crimes, maniacs with sharp objects, best has found 0 kids having gotten poisoned from candy. Bottom line: celebrations reflect changes in culture and social structure.