The gift : the form and reason for exchange in archaic societies / Marcel Mauss ; translated by W.D. Halls ; foreword by Mary Douglas.
Material type:
TextLanguage: English Original language: French Publication details: New York : W.W. Norton, 2000.Description: xviii, 164 pages ; 21 cmISBN: - 039332043X
- 9780393320435
- 394 MAU
| Item type | Current library | Call number | Copy number | Status | Date due | Barcode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Loan | LSAD Library Main Collection | 394 MAU (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | 1 | Available | 39002100622860 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
A brilliant example of the comparative method, The Gift presents the first systematic study of the custom--widespread in primitive societies from ancient Rome to present-day Melanesia--of exchanging gifts. The gift is a perfect example of what Mauss calls a total social phenomenon, since it involves legal, economic, moral, religious, aesthetic, and other dimensions. He sees the gift exchange as related to individuals and groups as much as to the objects themselves, and his analysis calls into question the social conventions and economic systems that had been taken for granted for so many years. In a modern translation, introduced by distinguished anthropologist Mary Douglas, The Gift is essential reading for students of social anthropology and sociology.
Translation of: Essai sur le don.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
The exchange of gifts and the obligation to reciprocate (Polynesia) -- The extension of this system: liberality, honour, money -- Survivals of these principles in ancient systems of law and ancient economies.
Since its first publication in English in 1954, Marcel Mauss\'s Essai sur le Don has been acclaimed as a classic among anthropology texts. A brilliant example of the comparative method, it presents the first systematic study of the custom -- widespread in primitive societies from ancient Rome to present-day Melanesia -- of exchanging gifts. The gift is a perfect example of what Mauss calls a total social phenomenon, since it involves legal, economic, moral, religious, aesthetic, and other dimensions. He sees the gift exchange as related to individuals and groups as much as to the objects themselves, and his analysis calls into question the social conventions and economic systems that had been taken for granted for so many years. In a modern translation, introduced by the distinguished anthropologist Mary Douglas, The Gift is essential reading for students of social anthropology and sociology. Book jacket.--Jacket.
Table of contents provided by Syndetics
- Editorial note (p. vi)
- Foreword (p. vii)
- Introduction (p. 1)
- 1 The Exchange of Gifts and the Obligation to Reciprocate (Polynesia) (p. 8)
- 2 The Extension of this System: Liberality, honour, money (p. 19)
- 3 Survivals of These Principles in Ancient systems of Law and Ancient Economies (p. 47)
- 4 Conclusion (p. 65)
- Notes (p. 84)
- Introduction (p. 84)
- Chapter 1 (p. 87)
- Chapter 2 (p. 97)
- Chapter 3 (p. 137)
- Chapter 4 (p. 154)
- Name index (p. 158)
- Subject index (p. 161)