Running head: ANALYSIS OF GEERTZ RELIANCE ON THICK DESCRIPTION 1

The Analysis of Geertz Reliance on Thick Description

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ANALYSIS OF GEERTZ RELIANCE ON THICK DESCRIPTION 2

The Analysis of Geertz Reliance on Thick Description

In his essay, Geertz thoroughly offers an archetypal instance of interpretive approach.

He comprehensively examines commonplace practices of gambling and gaming to create an

account of prominence hierarchies and machismo in Bali (Geertz, 2008). However, he uses

the analogy to explain how the humanity culture develops as an ensemble of texts that people

find hard to read. In comprehending, how the essay relies on the thick description, it is

imperative to highlight its meaning. The approach evaluates behavior that uses practices

initially developed for examining literature (Selby, 2017). In this regard, the paper discusses

the anthropological importance of Deep Play as occurring in The Balinese Cockfight as well

as its parallelism to the thick description.

The interpretive approach involves the infinitesimal analysis of a precise framework

in a highly participatory manner. By using specific examples of gambling, Geertz manages in

offering explanations on the social change of gaming as well as how numerous casual

elements interrelate. Thus, for people to interpret a culture, they should first detach its

components, identify internal linkages, and illustrate the system in a universal manner

according to signs around which it exists. In fact, his reliance on thick description arises

when he posits that his evaluation is not experimental but interpretive (Selby, 2017).

The concept of deep play offers him a way of elucidating the representative

dimensions of money and status as entrenched into the configurations of the Balinese cock

fight. In this society, people risk honor, status, demonstration, and money for a game of cock

fight (Geertz, 2008). However, considering the gains that one might attain, the stakes of the

contest are high. Geertzs reflections of the betting index the explanatory turn in

anthropology, as they contain too much textualism. In fact, his use of details when he

recounts the heart-throbbing pursuit, the cockfights, and the appearance of the police draws

the reader into the community. The event of the cockfight helped Geertz transition from a
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stranger to a partaker and his comprehensive account makes the audiences feel as if they are

active contributors in the performance. Moreover, it helps to establish a subjective authority,

which means Geertz appears as knowledgeable in telling the story.

According to the analogy, Bali people form a most interesting society based on a

culture that they seem to seek to uphold through tooth and nail. Notes on the Balinese

Cockfight offers critical insights into the aspect of Deep Play relative to the deep description

Geertz offers in the Bali people narrative (Geertz, 2008). From the narrative, one comes to

embrace the Balinese as a people whose culture has thrived even in the face of domination by

others. To do so, the society has incorporated deception or deep play deeply into its cultural

fabric such that were it not for an opportune moment, quick thinking, and application of

anthropological knowledge the author would not have had the opportunity to be exposed to

the culture. Geertz provides that the people of Bali normally desist from any form of

interaction with foreigners to the point that visitors feel invincible (Geertz, 2008). However,

the big cockfight transformed the authors experiences in a manner that naturally amazes

audiences. By opting to employ ethnographic know how and doing as the Romans would do,

the author and his wife opt to follow one of the societys members in running away from a

police swoop. Upon reaching the Bali mans home, his wife swiftly sets up a table for three

and serves tea which totally confuses the Japanese police officer hot on their heels.

The deep play of the cockfight incident is that it is a practice the Balinese hold dearly

that no amount of intimidation would commit them to disregard it. Being a hierarchical

society, the cockfight arrangements are organized by the respected chief who has bribed

Dutch officials to turn the other cheek. The cock fight is essentially held resulting from a

shortcoming by the colonizing administration, failure to avail fund to construct a school. The

event is, therefore, of far reaching social benefits, as it attracts the concerted efforts of the

Bali people. The author has taken upon a microscopic lens to make a viable analysis of the
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unique society. These people take the risk to uphold centuries old practice but are keen to put

structures in place to mitigate reprisals by the colonial administration. For instance, the chief

who initially arranged the public event rushes off to a nearby river to fake bathing; thus,

support his ignorance of the event. He is, however, caught by the administration and fined an

amount which the society members are very happy to contribute towards the considerate

leaders release.

Conclusively, by playing along with what the Balinese do, Geertz is accorded even

very rare opportunities to meet very significant members like the old sage. The deep play of

things is portrayed in a very entertaining manner. The writer who was at first an invisible

physical being is in an instant transformed into the most sought after, and an amusing

member of the Balinese (Geertz, 2008). The entire event enabled the anthropologist to

understand the intricate deep play of things that appear normal but are essentially a simple

but confidently planned artistry of deception. Balinese culture, therefore, has remained

closely knit because of using astuteness to ensure survival and to eliminate unwanted

interferences.
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References

Geertz, C. (2008). The interpretation of cultures: Selected essays. Basic Books.

Selby, D. (2017). Lecture on Clifford Geertz Thick Description: Toward an Interpretive

Theory of Culture. PowerPoint Presentation. College of Staten Island.