ANTH 284.001. Final Exam. Question 1.

Part 1
Name: Jessie Zhou (720494575)

Commonplace Book

MAUSS
The reading material gradually builds up its contents and
interpretations around gift and Potlatch. What strikes me the most from
this reading is the spiritual connection behind the social custom of gift
exchange in Polynesia, Samoa and Maori, the very origin of
reciprocating behavior. In the second part The spirit of the thing
given, the active spirit (hau) within a persons property (taonga)
induces and dominates the obligatory circulation of wealth and gifts in
Samoa and New Zealand. If you dont give back, you might get
punished, this thrilling but simple rule formed a benevolent system to
both provide sense of security and encourage generosity among a clan,
a household, group of people.
In the third part The obligation to give, the obligation to receive, the
exchange of properties through gifting is now legal responsibility, or
even religious ritual as important elements of total service. For the
obligation of receiving, you just dont reject hospitality and act of
potential bonding. You take them to demonstrate your acceptance as
some sort of social contract or alliances within your community. As for
the obligation of giving, people initiate the act of giving as an invitation
or a gesture to connect, and they are also bond to give back for others
generosity.
Rappaport
The last part makes connection This reading discussed the core value
between the gift-exchange behavior of religious rituals and how do they
produce influences on and regulate
with the sacrifice and religious rituals. the physical and mental well-being of
For the sacrifice, its an one-way their congregations. The
giving to the high spirits that truly incorporation of population and
owns the world, the complicated ecosystem into the anthropological
ritual, the destruction of valuable study is a great example of
demonstrating how specific processes
dont just serve as entertainment to and circumstances of a ritual can
please the gods. The believers project result in very distinct consequences
their expectation of reciprocation and functionalities. The ritual not only
towards their gods and hope for communicate and support within the
specific collective of individuals, it
blessing as in return of the gifts. also help to build and expend external
Through all the efforts, believers can connections between human behavior
feel deserved and comforted when and ecosystem.
the blessing befalls on them some
day.

Its very interesting to see all these

hidden connections getting revealed
and polished in this article.
 Weismantel
I have studies about the Pishtaco
back In a religious studies class I
took two last summer. I learned
about how the Andean people
project their fear of being
suppressed and taken advantage
of towards the image and
behavior pattern of the monster
called Pishtaco. The abundance of
expensive accessories and
dashing clothes, extracting and
reselling of fat, and the signature
feature whiteness all have celebration of bigger body
deep connections with the
historical background and conflicts
between classes and races.
From this reading, I gained
another perspective on the
whiteness of Pishtaco, its not of negative concepts like
just about the race (Pishtacos are
not all physically white-skinned)
anymore, it can now be associated
with the consumption and
capitalism of developed societies
and western culture. See through
the color, and dig deep into the
core, we can see how the smushy
body and excessive dressing of a
pishtaco can represent not just a
stereotype on a particular race,
but a general resentment towards
certain lifestyle and philosophy.
Maybe in a way, weve already
turned into a not-so-aggressive
version of a modern-day Pishtaco,
and just like what the author
mentioned at the end of the
chapter, if we really wanted to
erase the sector of racism,
suffering, and poverty that haunts
us, we must begin by thinking
about the effect we have on the
world as consumers.
Gross
This reading introduced an
interesting contrast between
the association of poverty
with fat in mainstream
opinions in western
countries, and the
size in hip-pop culture. In
most western countries,
people tend to despise
fatness. They connect the
fat body image with series
gluttony, lack of self-control
and overconsumption.
However, in the hip-pop
culture started and
developed by (mostly)
African-American rappers
who once escaped from
poverty or similar situation,
the concept of fat or phat
is heavily associated with
confidence, manhood,
display of power, financial
security, at mean time
serves as beauty standard
for female. Rappers would
proudly put all kinds of fat-
related words or expression
in their stage names, lyrics
and works. Other than the
series reasons and from the
reading, I also think this
fondness or rather obsession
with plumy, fleshy body
image might also come from
a sense of
overcompensation. As most
 Mitchell Marx
You can feel the anger, the frustration, and I enjoyed seeing the
the sincere concern oozing out of every similar concepts of this
single word. The author used very simple reading and my
wording and her extensive experience to
macroeconomics class.
present her work as a fat activist. Theres
not a lot of anthropological concepts or
They approached
new vocabs to learn, but it felt good to peoples thinking of
read it. It reminded me the years I spent value and commodities
struggling with my own weight and my differently yet
identity as a fat girl. Being called lazy coherently. We were just
and even gross, being associated with learning about how
gluttony and clumsy, being looked down required labor become
onto, these experiences are like built-in the only way of deciding
settings for bigger bodies. I acknowledge value in Classical theory
the fact that I am fat, and then I am done, of international trade in
unlike the author, I didnt do anything
my economics class.
about it. I let the bullying and malicious
cycle going on. Within the article, I saw Seeing the reading
courage, I saw initiation, I saw innovation, elaborating on how
I saw people being the change they want labor embodied in
to see. Its truly an empowering and commodities is really
inspiring read. interesting. But the
reading itself is
KOPYTOFF
What I really love
about reading for
anthropology classes
is how they break
down everything I
thought I already
understand and put
them back in
amazingly clarifying
forms. Readings like

I have studied about social status change among human behaviors,

but I havent really thought about the human commoditization
before. How human can be considered object under different
circumstances and their own conditions is truly an intriguing
thought. Other than the slavery example given from the text,
another example I can think of might be prostitution? In addition,
the biographical approach in the second part of the reading was
also quite enlightening. I especially love the example of the hut. It
helped me to develop understand on the cultural biography of
things by seeing how people are being considered differently
because of the commodities they hold on to. The contrast between
singular and exchangeable is also interesting to me. The reading
talked about how becoming interchangeable and common is the
process of commoditization. Unique and singular ones dont fitting
in hence are not qualified for trading. This connected strongly with
the topic of human commoditization from the context above. Some
of us struggle to be special, to be singular in modern society
because we refuse to be the same as others, just as homogeneous
and replaceable. But others find it comforting to be classified,
labeled and commoditized comforting, they go out of their way to
make sure they are just the same as everybody else. Just like the
reading talked about, we can never completely eliminated one of
these situations and live in a perfectly commoditized or
decommoditized world. The sphere of exchange was also an
intriguing concept to me. It gave commoditization and trading a new
dimension, and demonstrated the distinctions between a socially
accepted item (exchangeable) and personally valued items
(singular)
 Douglass
The reading discussed a series of dietary and behavior rules and
restrictions from the Leviticus and the Deuteronomy. The rules
classified most animals and human actions into two sections,
clean and unclean. It suggests that people should only
consume the meat from clean animals and do the deeds from
the clean section in order to achieve or maintain the concept of
holiness, which has a meaning of set apart. Some people might
argue that if god truly is the creator of all things, then why
exclude all these animals from the diet of human beings, should
he god be fair and treat all creatures equally? But the reading
went on and discussed the reasons behind these restrictions, like
why shouldnt we consume mice and why we usually give
negative image to them (the nasty nature, spread diseases, the
tendency to destroy). This debating and decision about holiness
can also be extended to humans, since we can judge peoples
identity under similar standards. Hence there comes the
influence of holiness in the classification of people. If we see the
animals as a metaphor, then the description of the unclean ones
would indicates that all the broken, rotten, unusual ones from
their own class should all be despised. Classes also shouldnt be
easily merged or confused with each other. People break into
countless small and tight communities, but never emerge to
become a complete one.

Popenoe

This reading used the Nigerian Womens beauty standard as an

example to discuss the rational reasons behind a certain body
image thats considered ideal by the society. The preference for
voluptuous women in Niger and adjacent countries can be a
projection of local peoples standard for ideal life abundance of
food and no need for labor. Its also interesting to see how Nigerian
women started considering their body fat as some sort of asset
because giant butt and stretch marks increase their chances to find
get mens attention and good marriage. During these marriages,
women are going to be kept being fed and taken away from any
form of working. Their growing girth length is a symbol of the
earning and wealth of the husbands.

Authors discussions about beauty standards also remind me of

whats going on in China. In rural area of just smaller cities, people
also appreciate women with giant butts and relatively heavy-set
body (the environment is lacking supply of food; easier to give birth;
looks more lively and vibrant than thinner women). However, in big
cities like Shanghai, Beijing or Guangzhou, people all have very
similar beauty standard for female: snow-like skin and skinny (more
leaning into dainty and petite). Its intriguing to see the difference
between this and western countrys beauty standard. They both
celebrate low body-fat, but if western standard is based on
demonstration of self-discipline and diligence, then the Chinese
standard definitely seems a bit lost. Apparently, we want them to be
fit, but not working (white skin usually means stays at home a lot,
the dainty frames are also not good symbol for workers), and I cant
quite figure out why.

Harris
Weber
The reading introduced and discussed relationship between pork
Iavoidance
was intrigued and by theWebers
religious discussion
holiness.about the disciplines
It brought out several and
ascetical
theories concepts of Puritan that
on the forbiddance of side
porkagainst
and the capitalism.
loath onAlso pigthe in
contrast, almost opposite functions of
multiple religions, and raised question on each of them. If peoplelabor and consume. One
represents
despise pigdisciplineon their and living diligence,
habits, then whilewhy the arent
other isother a symbol animals for
tardiness and gluttony. To
follow similar routine be considered unclean?see how importantGalbraith labor is
If its truly about as part
Bourdieu theof
religion reminds me
health problem of Buddhism.
of forbidden meat,How thenmonksThis not
why stick
reading
cook to their
mainly
or strict
I process
have talked
to sayabout that thisthe
and ascetic lifestyle years
them under regulation? With each promising after years. Its defined
dependence
theory, there as a kind
relationship
reading of
seemsis very between hardthe to
daily practice (Xiuxing in Chinese) of Buddhas
to be plenty of contradictions and critics. Then the author started production teaching and and
comprehend the
peoples wants. The
and
core
to changevaluehis of approach
the religion. Buddhism
and switch to finddoes theshare
production reason quite
itself a
summarize.
why few
satisfies
other people and It
similar ideas like despising the desire
animals are clean or good to eat. Not competing with human for
then consumption
encourages introducedwith
more an production.
extensive
Puritan.
food is anBuddhisminterestingemphasizes
feature of the on desirable
findingWhatinternal value
really intrigues
livestock amount
like andme is
grass of how new the
peace of a person. Like how they
feeding cattle and sheep. Even though pigs dont have a picky condemn
author talked luxuryconcepts
about and the urgency with
of
Veblen
entertainment. peoples wants. unnecessarily
His point is that if
diet, they can only consume large amount of nutritious human
I liked how Veblen
food like maize or nuts Simmel to keep growing fat. With a lousyconsumption
peoples need complicated
for diet, can be
talked about the
they
incentiveeitherandstop
needgrowing I liked or the weight. influenced
lose authors established
Other than the by
expressions
association
dietaryad campaigns, and
habits, the between to fashion salesmanship
and expressing vocabularies.
oneself. He and What
discreet I
for people to poor adaptation the environmental surroundings
seems
conspicuouslylike a predicable suggested but everythat society manipulations,
convincing usesreason fashion really
they
for disliked
asnot anmust about not this be
eating pork.
consume Compare
frivolous outlet
to theforvery peoples
short listurgent.
suppressed In
of pros of desirethe reading
hungry
pork, the is
for man the example
lack of
cons certainly
goods. It remindsoutweigh, personalities
hence the and the author
differentiation.
entire pork taboomade, The logic
might he
balance and
just states connection.
that if a
me
be of thetheresult
statusof years between
of survivalfitting persons
in and
wisdoms fromstanding hungry, There
the ancestors. he
out is seemed
would only
to be
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However, we learned
the excavated demonstrated sheddrive
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concept
into urgentslim
this of physical
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need
about from former
cautionary tale theory, fashion. While living
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and not
this be affected
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developedcame over totime,
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be really
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certain status are an unc studentgot feeling hungry
interrupted
after
swine-raising condition understood
face changes as a universal
and hardships, aesthetic turning standardthe
symbol (luxury
pigs from food sources
goods) can help
or tocollective
burdens. Thus, anthropology
ideology theof taboo
fashion. gave Aclass,
constantly
the and
trend endcanwant by tolots
grabof a
of swing-raising be led andby influential, bite somewhere.
independent-thinking irrelevant
You see advertising and
others recognize business pork-eating lifestyle. In the second
part of the
and identify your reading, icons.
the author However,
brought Its
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usually
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need much longer time personally
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all morning.
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and
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owns were beach something
houses
very relatable another promotion make scheme out created
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Ambjornsson

This is probably one of my favorite readings about females constant concern

about their body images. As a chubby girl, growing up in Shanghai China was a
pretty traumatizing experience. Its a city filled with ruthless people who judge
female body with only the highest and coldest standards. Its a city went crazy
after the A4 paper waist test and boob clutching pencil test. If skinny,
pretty girls use the fat talk to establish bond and demonstrate their Pollen Chs 9-14
identity as girls, then fat kids use the skill as their shield and protection. Its rather
interesting to see
the difference
Goffman between local and
Fat kids can most Klein Chs 678
organic since
certainly talk about IPollen
really
fat, if Chs like
1-3 the
This reading discussion discussed about theglobalization
concept theseI
in equalize
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chapters. oftostatusthethefirst
see regular
symbols. time I see
market
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indicates foodexpanding
consumptions
or
them in myglobal in a
head.
certain level of fatness
different perspective. In Chapter one, Pollan really elaborated on the
that people actually market globally
feel functions suggests in an objectivelevel
a certain perspective.of mutual I also
To me, they consider present it
many and usage of corns. I always loved the behind the
as
sympathetic for (morbid an ideal
scene kind of documentary
connection
acknowledgement Pollen for
within
about Chs cultural
8-11
food.
the interactions
same pretty much
This book shared the same
between the
or worse) 2) they havecountries,
revealing andasathe
social
sense development
group. Unlike
Pollan really
documentaries. forOne
the diversity
esteem
went
can same
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variations.
for corn the of
only one or very few symbol,
various the status symbol hard-working
But the
with
traits about the bigness
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concept of food, of but is
expanding withmight
organic Pollans just
in work
explanation
these in
and introduction, directly things designated
start to make to a
sense.person The farmer
reading smile
also at
raisedyou
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of their body (freakishly exact opposite
curious topics on the
way.
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will
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cared still about
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any or
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into peoples mind biteduring into the burger,
both visible
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producer/farmers
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imagine invisiblethe crispy consider the
crust of The
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fries, when aofwas
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branding quite the last
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already
that feel theseparate
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what it
 Chin 3-4
Chin 1-2
One particular
In chapter 3, the author repeatedly mentioned
girls fear for being victimized in rape or other
idea brought up
form of crime. Many of them even have specific
by the author in
plans and strategy for survival. Chin also
mentioned how significant kin groups are to these
Chapter 1 caught
insecure kids. The level of sophistication
my
demonstrated by these kids just amaze me. Back attention.
in the last two chapters, Chin mentioned how kids,
While discussing
who grow in poorer family, tend to have an earlier
how media and
development of financial management skills.
These skills can be considered a self-preservation
advertising
mechanism. Its not just about smart kids using
can
create
the money wisely. It can also be maintaining a false
proper protection for themselves, keeping the
needs and leads
family going, and family members living. Chin also
people, especially
built a fascinating connection between sexual
awareness and the consumer sphere. To
teenagers, in the
underprivileged girls who live in dangerous
brand obsession,
neighborhood, the mall can be a safe place to
freely develop imagination about romance without
she mentioned
worrying about getting raped or hurt. Its clear
how
that kids can detect the foreign nature of
consuming products outside their unaffordable
underprivileged
price range. They can also acknowledge the
people, deprived
unreality of marketing and advertising. But a place
with proper presentation of the products and
of even the basic
guarantee for physical safety, can at least lower
needs, can be
childrens guard and provide them with the
capacity to imagine better things in lives.
drown to the
consumer culture
even more than
the people who
enjoy the
abundance of lives. I went to a private elementary
school back in Shanghai. Majority of the students there
came from wealthy middle-class families or
somewhere better. During class trips, you can see
name-branded sneakers and backpacks everywhere.
There were students who wouldnt even bat an eye
when they lose a brand new camera or cell phone.
These kids were so heavily dosed with this brand-
oriented life that they barely even notice its existence.
Using Nike bags and Misubishi pens is just like having
fresh air to breath, until theyve been cut off of supply,
no one really cares. One of my friends from school,
Ran, was what other students would call a Poor ghost
(QiongGui), who claimed a merit-based financial aid
for her talent in Math. Her family was originally from a
small town in Sichuan, her parents only had
elementary school-level education and worked as
farmers back in hometown. But Ran was one of the
smartest and most polite people I have ever seen in
my life. Despite her being top of the class and winning
academic prizes, Ran still didnt get the popularity she
deserved. Girls in her class would isolate her on
purpose and made fun of her accent, subtly taunting
her for wearing wrinkly uniform or not having fancy
products as they do. Look at her acting all high and
mighty like she better than all of us, she doesn't even
have a phone. Brands were never an issue with these
privileged kids until they found out that someone
couldnt afford what they have been granted since
they were born. Now the consumption choice is a
perfect weapon to divide people into different classes,
a way of demonstrating social status.

Chin 5 Fiske
However,
I loved howwithChin increasing
chose Growing access upto inforeign media
China, I
outlets
to studysince I started havent
underprivileged in UNC had two theyears ago,
chance to the
childrens
manipulated consumption
facts from encounter
the supposedly truth-telling
or even hear about
habits and
media the process
seemed of any
to starting reveal itself. What strikes
major issues of racism. the
forming them. They
most is how would people, been
Even inthough
this highly
we havedeveloped
56
an easily ignored group,
country and with such abundant minor resource
groups, of knowledge,
but the
since when we bring up
still consider my people population
as barbaric supporters
the topic of consumption, differences ofand dog
eating, as pathetic sweatgeographicalfactory workers, as the cruel
distribution are
the first image pops into
enslavers of Tibet people, as mind-numbing idiots who
our heads is usually so distinctive that you wont
are
someonesuppressed
being by our even
allured government,
feel theor existence
just painfully
of
awkward
into shopping frenzy, not another group of people in I
nerds who are wickedly good at math. When
took my roommate
clinching wallets withcertain
and me backareas.to Shanghai
In addition, last
summer,
getting sweptshe got
away.overwhelmingly surprised
I do China doesnt reallyand toldthe
have me
Wow
want to this
seeisjust
some so sortnot
of what
heavyI expected.
political atmosphere
Theto
sequel media here
this, like made among
a follow no effort to help
public as theU.Spublic
does,to
up interview understand
objectively for those kidsanother
since culture,
we dont but have
they made
the
who that
sure has all
grown
the up and voting
smearing and mocking were done.
system for everything On
formed on
News, theirTVown families.
shows, on (imagine
talk shows, people arrogantly
what a chaos would
blabber about things they didnt bother to get to know
for any longer than a minute. Yes, the U.S media is still
trying to undermine the credibility and identity of the
black community in this subtly happening race-war.
Consumption practice and behaviors were used as