This essay will critically analyze Marcel Mauss’ The Gift findings and theories about the honor, gift, and concept of “pure” or "free" gifts in the absence of an agenda. In doing so, he will integrate the use of these ideas and notions by the variety of writing theorists into the contemporary issues of using gifts and exchanging and sharing in the modern societies. However The Gift received a lot of criticism when it seems confronted with some of the assumptions incompatible with modern-practices. Though focusing on ancient societies, and trying to show it in the whole essay in a balanced way, how can we use Mauss’ ideas permanently when analyzing certain aspects of economic systems and sharing gifts in modern times?
According to Mauss, there …show more content…
With most practices and the rituals of giving gifts to an array of communities, as “it is not individuals but collectivities that impose obligations of exchange” (Mauss 6) practicing the gifts and motives behind them could vary. Continually changing, Mauss persists for us, a constant resumption of the responsibility to offer the same gifts. The worth of the return gift is imperative in order to maintain associations amongst all parties involved. Interestingly enough, Mauss says that, “even when, in the gesture accompanying the transaction, there is only a polite fiction, formalism, and social deceit, and when really there is obligation and economic self-interest.” …show more content…
For instance, in German terminology along with Hinduism, words can be compared to complications that are not located in a sense without re-evaluating these words. “The recipient puts himself in a position of dependence vis-à-vis the donor.” (Mauss 76) Much of the information requires a careful translation by the booklover to gain a complete consideration of the emblematic implications. Though, it must be illustrated that the attempts of Mauss’ simply translation of the symbolic source and the connotation behind the unknown words, when it is necessary to distinguish between the "gift" of classification.
From the duty to give the gifts, one could moreover explore the symbolic character of generosity. Giving the wedding gifts of the German communities, Mauss offers a solid instance of this representation by observing the significance behind the custom of offering, It is common knowledge that men present themselves publicly by the conspicuous presentation if gifts. Generous contributions to a charity have always been a source of prestige in the United States…especially…when individuals rather than corporations make such gestures.
According to Mauss, there …show more content…
With most practices and the rituals of giving gifts to an array of communities, as “it is not individuals but collectivities that impose obligations of exchange” (Mauss 6) practicing the gifts and motives behind them could vary. Continually changing, Mauss persists for us, a constant resumption of the responsibility to offer the same gifts. The worth of the return gift is imperative in order to maintain associations amongst all parties involved. Interestingly enough, Mauss says that, “even when, in the gesture accompanying the transaction, there is only a polite fiction, formalism, and social deceit, and when really there is obligation and economic self-interest.” …show more content…
For instance, in German terminology along with Hinduism, words can be compared to complications that are not located in a sense without re-evaluating these words. “The recipient puts himself in a position of dependence vis-à-vis the donor.” (Mauss 76) Much of the information requires a careful translation by the booklover to gain a complete consideration of the emblematic implications. Though, it must be illustrated that the attempts of Mauss’ simply translation of the symbolic source and the connotation behind the unknown words, when it is necessary to distinguish between the "gift" of classification.
From the duty to give the gifts, one could moreover explore the symbolic character of generosity. Giving the wedding gifts of the German communities, Mauss offers a solid instance of this representation by observing the significance behind the custom of offering, It is common knowledge that men present themselves publicly by the conspicuous presentation if gifts. Generous contributions to a charity have always been a source of prestige in the United States…especially…when individuals rather than corporations make such gestures.