Book

The rhetoric of community ritual: the blessing of the shrimp fleet at Chauvin, Louisiana

University Microfilms InternationalAnn 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.
Subjects
Interviewing in research
Sociocultural trends
Total culture
Marine industries
Rest days and holidays
Spectacles
Ritual
Ecclesiastical organization
culture
Cajuns
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