I am rather curious to find out how the idea of ethnocentrism is displayed in the novel "Dancing Skeletons: Life and Death in West Africa" by Katherine A. Detwyler.
Here are some book reviews on that book.
http://hotcupofjoe.blogspot.com/2006/10/book-review-dancing-skeletons.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3659/is_199504/ai_n8730119
First, Dancing Skeletons is an ethnography, not a novel. The former is a non-fiction, written description of a culture. The latter is a work of fiction.
Second, a good representation of ethnocentrism can be found on pages 27-35. Ethnocentrism is that tendency to compare another culture to your own, with a bias towards your own. Often this is a tendency to see your own culture as centrally important or "better" in some way, but for many anthropologists like Dettwyler, understanding her own ethnocentric bias and balancing it with what she observed was vital in understanding the culture she was writing about. In the pages above, we see an example where the reader is challenged to examine his/her own ethnocentrism. The right point of view to be had after reading these pages might not be that the other culture is right in its practices.
I'll leave you with these clues and a hope that you read her short ethnography. It truly is both entertaining and enlightening.
By the way, the review in the first link above is written by me.
The novel "Dancing Skeletons: Life and Death in West Africa" by Katherine A. Detwyler provides an anthropologist's perspective of her experiences living and working in Mali, West Africa. Through her observations, Detwyler explores various aspects of culture, health, and ethnocentrism. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how the idea of ethnocentrism is displayed in the novel:
1. Definition of ethnocentrism: To understand how ethnocentrism is portrayed in the novel, it is important to define the term. Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency to view one's own culture, beliefs, and practices as superior to others and judge them accordingly.
2. Cultural comparison: Throughout the book, Detwyler compares the cultural practices of the people in Mali to her own Western perspective. For example, in her discussions about breastfeeding and weaning practices, she describes her initial ethnocentric view that Western customs are superior to those of the Malian culture.
3. Critique of local practices: Detwyler raises questions about some cultural practices in Mali that clash with her own beliefs and values. She recounts her frustration with certain health practices, such as traditional healers' emphasis on herbal medicine rather than Western medicine. These critiques showcase her initial ethnocentric viewpoint.
4. Challenges to ethnocentrism: As Detwyler becomes more immersed in the culture and forms relationships with the local people, she begins to challenge her ethnocentric perspective. She realizes that her judgments were based on a limited understanding and biased viewpoint. She learns to appreciate and respect the cultural practices and beliefs of the people she encounters.
5. Acceptance and cultural relativism: Towards the end of the book, Detwyler demonstrates a shift in her mindset. She embraces the concept of cultural relativism, which recognizes that every culture has its own unique customs and practices that are valid within their own context. This shift signifies her transformation from an ethnocentric viewpoint to a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of the local culture.
Overall, the novel "Dancing Skeletons: Life and Death in West Africa" portrays the initial ethnocentric perspective of the author, followed by her journey towards acceptance, understanding, and cultural relativism. Through her experiences, Detwyler sheds light on the concept of ethnocentrism and its impact on cross-cultural interactions.
To understand how the concept of ethnocentrism is displayed in the novel "Dancing Skeletons: Life and Death in West Africa" by Katherine A. Detwyler, you would need to read the book and analyze its content. As an AI bot, I don't have direct access to the book's specific details. However, I can explain how you can go about exploring this topic.
To analyze the concept of ethnocentrism in the novel, follow these steps:
1. Obtain the book: Acquire a copy of "Dancing Skeletons: Life and Death in West Africa" by Katherine A. Detwyler. You can try searching for it in libraries or online bookstores.
2. Read the book: Carefully read the novel to gain a comprehensive understanding of the West African context and the author's observations and experiences. Pay attention to incidents, descriptions, and conversations that demonstrate ethnocentric perspectives or attitudes.
3. Identify ethnocentric elements: Look for instances where the author or other characters in the book exhibit ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism refers to the belief that one's own culture or ethnic group is superior to others. It often involves judging other cultures based on one's own cultural standards. Make notes of specific examples, dialogues, or situations that reflect this bias.
4. Analyze the portrayal: Once you have identified instances of ethnocentrism, reflect on why and how the author portrays this concept. Consider the impact of ethnocentrism on the characters, their interactions, and the broader narrative. Analyze the author's intention and the implications of these portrayals.
5. Contextualize the findings: Connect the examples you've gathered to the main themes or arguments in the book. Consider the historical, cultural, and social backdrop of West Africa depicted in the novel. Think about how ethnocentrism intersects with other themes or issues explored by the author and what broader message or critique might emerge.
6. Draw conclusions and support your analysis: Based on your observations and analysis, draw conclusions about how the idea of ethnocentrism is displayed in the book. Support your conclusions with specific evidence and quotations from the text.
Remember, analyzing a literary work requires critical thinking and interpretation. Different readers may have varying perspectives on how ethnocentrism is portrayed in the novel.