Swamiji, a Hindu holy man, is the central character of Storytellers, Saints, and Scoundrels. He reclines in a deck chair in his modern apartment in western India, telling subtle and entertaining folk narratives to his assorted gatherings. Among the listeners is Kirin Narayan, who knew Swamiji when she was a child in India and who has returned from America as an anthropologist. In her book Narayan builds on Swamiji's tales and his audiences' interpretations to ask why religious teachings the world over are so often couched in stories.
For centuries, religious teachers from many traditions have used stories to instruct their followers. When Swamiji tells a story, the local barber rocks in helpless laughter, and a sari-wearing French nurse looks on enrapt. Farmers make decisions based on the tales, and American psychotherapists take notes that link the storytelling to their own practices. Narayan herself is a key character in this ethnography. As both a local woman and a foreign academic, she is somewhere between participant and observer, reacting to the nuances of fieldwork with a sensitivity that only such a position can bring.
Each story s reproduced in its evocative performance setting. Narayan supplements eight folk narratives with discussions of audience participation and response as well as relevant Hindu themes. All these stories focus on the complex figure of the Hindu ascetic and so sharpen our understanding of renunciation and gurus in South Asia.
While Storytellers, Saints, and Scoundrels raises provocative theoretical issues, it is also a moving human document. Swamiji, with his droll characterizations, inventive mind, and generous spirit, is a memorable character. The book contributes to a growing interdisciplinary literature on narrative. It will be particularly valuable to students and scholars of anthropology, folklore, performance studies, religions, and South Asian studies.
Le informazioni nella sezione "Riassunto" possono far riferimento a edizioni diverse di questo titolo.
Le informazioni nella sezione "Su questo libro" possono far riferimento a edizioni diverse di questo titolo.
Spese di spedizione:
EUR 3,74
In U.S.A.
Descrizione libro Condizione: New. Fine. Paperback. 1989. Originally published at $27.5. Codice articolo W114681b
Descrizione libro Condizione: New. Book is in NEW condition. Codice articolo 081221269X-2-1
Descrizione libro paperback. Condizione: New. First Edition. Ships in a BOX from Central Missouri! UPS shipping for most packages, (Priority Mail for AK/HI/APO/PO Boxes). Codice articolo 000178907N
Descrizione libro Condizione: New. . Codice articolo 52GZZZ00CIE0_ns
Descrizione libro Condizione: New. . Codice articolo 5AUZZZ000TAB_ns
Descrizione libro Condizione: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Codice articolo 353-081221269X-new
Descrizione libro Paperback. Condizione: New. 5th PAPERBACK PRINTING. Codice articolo DADAX081221269X
Descrizione libro Condizione: New. Codice articolo 310199-n
Descrizione libro Paperback. Condizione: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Codice articolo Holz_New_081221269X
Descrizione libro Paperback. Condizione: new. Buy for Great customer experience. Codice articolo GoldenDragon081221269X