UNDER THE NORTH STAR: NOTIONS OF SELF AND COMMUNITY IN A FINNISH VILLAGE.
Item
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Title
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UNDER THE NORTH STAR: NOTIONS OF SELF AND COMMUNITY IN A FINNISH VILLAGE.
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Identifier
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AAI8222975
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identifier
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8222975
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Creator
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ROBERTS, FREDRIC MARC.
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Contributor
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Sydel Silverman
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Date
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1982
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Anthropology, Cultural
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Abstract
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This dissertation presents a study of a community in Southern Finland, focusing on the following issues: What are the underlying cultural values and norms governing interpersonal interactions? How are these values and norms linked to international, national, and local economic, social, and political forces? How are the values and norms connected to the dynamics of community life?;The analysis in this study is organized around the concept of "notions of self." Notions of self are cultural understandings of the nature of individuals. The study demonstrates that the most important village notions of self are the product of international, national, and local economic, social, and political forces. The most central village notions of self are shown to emphasize a particular form of individualism. It is argued that conflicts involving individualism are among the most crucial sources of tension in village life. The analysis of village notions of self, especially individualism, provides insights into villagers' understandings of the nature of social stratification. It helps explain the character of villagers' typical behavior in key social relationships. In addition, it clarifies how these individualistic villagers are able to form a community; it helps identify some of the major sources of division and conflict in village life. Key conflicts among village notions of self are shown to be expressed in the major rituals of village life--the coffee ceremony and male group drinking. The nature of storytelling, a form of communication and entertainment that has a crucial place in community life, is shown to be closely linked to major village notions of self. Finally, it is suggested that there is a single structuring principle organizing the various and opposing central village notions of self.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Anthropology
