WesBurlesque; "How to Find Comfortability in the Uncomfortable"
(just some ideas here…)
My Thesis: At Wesleyan I will be interpreting how Performers in WesBurlesque believe that the performance/ process is “liberating” and “inclusive” but at the same time pushes members outside their “comfort zone” and excludes some individuals in the process. By interviewing seven of the sixty current performers, I was able to obtain ethnographic evidence that presents a paradox of individuals gaining self-confidence and self-acceptance, by being pushed outside their comfort zones. By utilizing Geertz’ system of interruptive/symbolic anthropology, I was able to examine how this self-discovery occurs, and what it means for the larger Wesleyan community as …show more content…
Geertz’s looks at how Balinese use cock fighting as an outlet because they are not supposed to act animalistic. In their culture babies are not allowed to crawl because crawling reminds them of being an animal, which is frowned upon in the culture (citation here). In addition, Balinese citizens will not keep their teeth sharp because it symbolizes animal fangs. (Geertz: 2008 420). Geertz was intrigued that the Balinese culture was so heavily influenced by being anti animal, however, they engage in cock fighting which involves animals and violence. I wanted to examine how Wesleyan uses WesBurlesque as an outlet to be erotic. (should there be a paradox here? In other words, you compare it to the Balinese culture being so anti animal but they condone cock fighting, so what is the paradox with WesBurlesque?) Where I wanted to differ from Geertz is that he does not base his interpretations in historical context. I wanted be examine the historical context of Burlesque and analyze why the Wesleyan community is so drawn to it. I wanted to also differ from Geertz in the sense that I wanted to investigate why people in the Wesleyan community feel excluded from “WesBurlesque.” I wanted to accomplish this by interviewing people who feel like they are left out of “WesBurlesque” whether it’s from tryouts, feeling uncomfortable or not feeling like their sexuality can be represented on stage. While examining the people who feel excluded and liberated by the social ritual of “WesBurlesque,” I wanted to also analyze how the public image of Wesleyan contradicts the private reality of the student
(just some ideas here…)
My Thesis: At Wesleyan I will be interpreting how Performers in WesBurlesque believe that the performance/ process is “liberating” and “inclusive” but at the same time pushes members outside their “comfort zone” and excludes some individuals in the process. By interviewing seven of the sixty current performers, I was able to obtain ethnographic evidence that presents a paradox of individuals gaining self-confidence and self-acceptance, by being pushed outside their comfort zones. By utilizing Geertz’ system of interruptive/symbolic anthropology, I was able to examine how this self-discovery occurs, and what it means for the larger Wesleyan community as …show more content…
Geertz’s looks at how Balinese use cock fighting as an outlet because they are not supposed to act animalistic. In their culture babies are not allowed to crawl because crawling reminds them of being an animal, which is frowned upon in the culture (citation here). In addition, Balinese citizens will not keep their teeth sharp because it symbolizes animal fangs. (Geertz: 2008 420). Geertz was intrigued that the Balinese culture was so heavily influenced by being anti animal, however, they engage in cock fighting which involves animals and violence. I wanted to examine how Wesleyan uses WesBurlesque as an outlet to be erotic. (should there be a paradox here? In other words, you compare it to the Balinese culture being so anti animal but they condone cock fighting, so what is the paradox with WesBurlesque?) Where I wanted to differ from Geertz is that he does not base his interpretations in historical context. I wanted be examine the historical context of Burlesque and analyze why the Wesleyan community is so drawn to it. I wanted to also differ from Geertz in the sense that I wanted to investigate why people in the Wesleyan community feel excluded from “WesBurlesque.” I wanted to accomplish this by interviewing people who feel like they are left out of “WesBurlesque” whether it’s from tryouts, feeling uncomfortable or not feeling like their sexuality can be represented on stage. While examining the people who feel excluded and liberated by the social ritual of “WesBurlesque,” I wanted to also analyze how the public image of Wesleyan contradicts the private reality of the student