The Analysis of Geertz Reliance on Thick Description

The Analysis of Geertz Reliance on Thick Description

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The Analysis of Geertz Reliance on Thick Description

            In his essay, Geertz thoroughly offers an archetypal instance of interpretive approach. He comprehensively examines commonplace practices of gambling and gaming to create an account of prominence hierarchies and machismo in Bali (Geertz, 2008). However, he uses the analogy to explain how the humanity culture develops as an ensemble of texts that people find hard to read. In comprehending, how the essay relies on the thick description, it is imperative to highlight its meaning. The approach evaluates behavior that uses practices initially developed for examining literature (Selby, 2017). In this regard, the paper discusses the anthropological importance of Deep Play as occurring in The Balinese Cockfight as well as its parallelism to the thick description.

The interpretive approach involves the infinitesimal analysis of a precise framework in a highly participatory manner. By using specific examples of gambling, Geertz manages in offering explanations on the social change of gaming as well as how numerous casual elements interrelate. Thus, for people to interpret a culture, they should first detach its components, identify internal linkages, and illustrate the system in a universal manner according to signs around which it exists. In fact, his reliance on thick description arises when he posits that his evaluation is not experimental but interpretive (Selby, 2017).

The concept of “deep play” offers him a way of elucidating the representative dimensions of money and status as entrenched into the configurations of the Balinese cock fight. In this society, people risk honor, status, demonstration, and money for a game of cock fight (Geertz, 2008). However, considering the gains that one might attain, the stakes of the contest are high. Geertz’s reflections of the betting index the explanatory turn in anthropology, as they contain too much textualism. In fact, his use of details when he recounts the heart-throbbing pursuit, the cockfights, and the appearance of the police draws the reader into the community. The event of the cockfight helped Geertz transition from a stranger to a partaker and his comprehensive account makes the audiences feel as if they are active contributors in the performance. Moreover, it helps to establish a subjective authority, which means Geertz appears as knowledgeable in telling the story.

According to the analogy, Bali people form a most interesting society based on a culture that they seem to seek to uphold through tooth and nail. Notes on the Balinese Cockfight offers critical insights into the aspect of Deep Play relative to the deep description Geertz offers in the Bali people narrative (Geertz, 2008). From the narrative, one comes to embrace the Balinese as a people whose culture has thrived even in the face of domination by others. To do so, the society has incorporated deception or deep play deeply into its cultural fabric such that were it not for an opportune moment, quick thinking, and application of anthropological knowledge the author would not have had the opportunity to be exposed to the culture. Geertz provides that the people of Bali normally desist from any form of interaction with foreigners to the point that visitors feel invincible (Geertz, 2008). However, the big cockfight transformed the author’s experiences in a manner that naturally amazes audiences. By opting to employ ethnographic know how and doing as the Roman’s would do, the author and his wife opt to follow one of the society’s members in running away from a police swoop. Upon reaching the Bali man’s home, his wife swiftly sets up a table for three and serves tea which totally confuses the Japanese police officer hot on their heels.

The deep play of the cockfight incident is that it is a practice the Balinese hold dearly that no amount of intimidation would commit them to disregard it. Being a hierarchical society, the cockfight arrangements are organized by the respected chief who has bribed Dutch officials to turn the other cheek. The cock fight is essentially held resulting from a shortcoming by the colonizing administration, failure to avail fund to construct a school. The event is, therefore, of far reaching social benefits, as it attracts the concerted efforts of the Bali people. The author has taken upon a microscopic lens to make a viable analysis of the unique society. These people take the risk to uphold centuries old practice but are keen to put structures in place to mitigate reprisals by the colonial administration. For instance, the chief who initially arranged the public event rushes off to a nearby river to fake bathing; thus, support his ignorance of the event. He is, however, caught by the administration and fined an amount which the society members are very happy to contribute towards the considerate leader’s release.

Conclusively, by playing along with what the Balinese do, Geertz is accorded even very rare opportunities to meet very significant members like the old sage. The deep play of things is portrayed in a very entertaining manner. The writer who was at first an invisible physical being is in an instant transformed into the most sought after, and an amusing member of the Balinese (Geertz, 2008). The entire event enabled the anthropologist to understand the intricate deep play of things that appear normal but are essentially a simple but confidently planned artistry of deception. Balinese culture, therefore, has remained closely knit because of using astuteness to ensure survival and to eliminate unwanted interferences.

References

Geertz, C. (2008). The interpretation of cultures: Selected essays. Basic Books.

Selby, D. (2017). Lecture on Clifford Geertz Thick Description: Toward an Interpretive Theory of Culture. PowerPoint Presentation. College of Staten Island.