article

Sematic slippage and moral fall: the rhetoric of chastity in rural Greek society

Journal of modern Greek studies • 1 (1) • Published In 1983 • Pages: 161-172

By: Herzfeld, Michael.

Abstract

In this paper, Herzfeld examines marriage and the rhetoric of chastity in rural society. Although brides are expected to be virgins this is often not the case, today or in the past. According to Herzfeld the believed rectitude of past generations is merely an ideological construction, an unattainable ideal that nevertheless serves as a measure for human action. Supposedly, the meaning of the word GáMOS has changed over time from 'marriage' to 'copulation.' However, Herzfeld argues that the word always contained both meanings, because marriage confers the right to engage in sexual relations. Whether the latter is achieved before or after the wedding ceremony is often overlooked, especially with concerns about a woman's fertility being paramount. The past in this case is an ideological construct, not an historical fact. Ethnographers beware!

HRAF PubDate

2003

Region

Europe

Sub Region

Southeastern Europe

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 2002

Field Date

1974

Coverage Place

'Pefko', Rhodes, and 'Glendi', Crete, Greece

Notes

Michael Herzfeld

Special Issue: Women and men in Greece : a society in transition

Includes bibliographical references (p. 172)

LCCN

84642094

LCSH

Greece