"Small boy in small town" : an individual's response to the study of his own life

Morrison, Monica Sue (1977) "Small boy in small town" : an individual's response to the study of his own life. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (51MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

This study presents the reaction of an individual to the study of his life experience by a student of folklore. It is based on an extended fieldwork project in which my grandfather, A. H. Morrison, presented me with an organized, synthesized collection of material that described the part of his experience he found meaningful and that stands as a representation of his knowledge. -- The origin and development of the fieldwork project are described and his life history and sources of his knowledge are examined with emphasis on the influence of the traditions of his home community and family background. A description of the kinds of experience he accepted as part of his significant knowledge and found useful as expressive behavior is included. The influence of his worldview on his understanding of knowledge in general and of the fieldwork project in particular is discussed, and his adoption of an active role in relation to the project is described. My grandfather's self image went through a series of changes during the project and these changes were in themselves an important part of the presentation of his knowledge. Their influence on the final picture of my grandfather the project revealed is discussed. -- The methodology of the fieldwork project is examined with reference to other similar studies in folklore scholarship and it is concluded that the motivation of the individual to present his knowledge is more important in studies of this kind than the methodology chosen.

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