Book
The rhetoric of community ritual: the blessing of the shrimp fleet at Chauvin, Louisiana
University Microfilms International • Ann Arbor, Mich. • Published In 1991 • Pages:
By: Gordon, Barbara Elizabeth.
Abstract
This is an examination of the functions of a specific community ritual in Cajun society, the blessing of the shrimp fleet at Chauvin, Louisina. Gordon's data were gathered from her observation of the ritual and extensive interviews. Gordon uses the technique of fantasy theme analysis and attempts to demonstrate the community's use of discourse to develop and maintain group hierarchy. 'The discourse reveals six fantasy themes prevalent in the discourse of the people of Chauvin. The six -- unity, security, perpetuation, pride, care-taking, and pioneering -- are traits attributed to the shrimpers whose profession is 'blessed' by the ritual' (p. iv). The study shows how the discourse on the blessing of the shrimp fleet unites the Cajuns of Chauvin and reaffirms their Acadian culture and identity in the face of great pressure to conform to mainstream American social values.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1995
- Region
- North America
- Sub Region
- Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Folklorist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle, 1993
- Field Date
- 1986-1987 (pp. 169-327)
- Coverage Date
- 1986-1987
- Coverage Place
- Chauvin, Louisiana, United States
- Notes
- Barbara Elizabeth Gordon
- Abstracted in: Dissertation abstracts international -- 52/09, p. 3125, Mar. 1992.
- UM-AAC 9207506
- Includes bibliographical references
- Thesis (Ph.D.) -- The Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical Col., 1991
- LCSH
- Cajuns