Abstract
This chapter analyses relationships between the researchers and the researched. Guilt affects such relationships in essential, structural ways—postmodern reactions to the excesses of classic anthropology deliver new practices and writing styles, but the discipline still relies on autobiographical techniques that do not free it from guilt.
Reflexivity is a strategic device through which anthropologists cope with their guilt regarding integration. Integration is both lacking (as reflected in boredom and loneliness in the field, and disappointing descriptions) and intrusive (as reflected in spying and camouflage games in the field, and disappointing reciprocity).
The chapter concludes that relationships cannot be sincere enough and respectful enough to make the idealism of populist ethnography come true.
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2014 François Bouchetoux
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bouchetoux, F. (2014). Fire. In: Writing Anthropology: A Call for Uninhibited Methods. Palgrave Pivot, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137404176_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137404176_2
Publisher Name: Palgrave Pivot, New York
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-48724-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-40417-6
eBook Packages: Palgrave Media & Culture CollectionLiterature, Cultural and Media Studies (R0)