Christine Wahlmeier

Study Guide: The Gift Marcel Mauss

Intro Page 3: What rule of legality and self-interest, in societies of a backward or
archaic type, compels the gift that has been received to be obligatorily
reciprocated? What power resides in the object given that causes its recipient to
pay it back?
Potlatch: gift and ritualistic exchange involving extreme decadence to the point of
wastefulness
Giving is not an individual action but one of collectives, not meant to create wealth
but o build a connection
The Obligation to Give; The Obligation to Receive
-to reciprocate presents received
-to give presents
-to receive them
Trobriand Example : Kula circular inter exchange between tribe’s chieftains- noble
and disinterested pg. 22 Mwali- bracelets; soulava- necklace
Three obligations to give, receive, reciprocate pg. 39
The obligation to accept pg. 41
“Originally- so much is sure- things themselves had a personality and an inherent
power” pg. 49 familia- etymology fevers more to objects than things
The land, the food, and all that one gives are, moreover, personified: they are living
creatures with whom one enters a dialogue, and who share in a contract. Pg 56
It is the nature of food to be shared out…. Wealth is made to be given away. Pg.57
Pg 58-60 delineates Hindu perception of “gifts” and the indivisible connection
amongst giver, recipient, and the gift itself.
German wadium is a pledge -ie. glove or staff that binds the honor of the giver in a
contract.
Gifts automatically make the receiver immediately inferior, but charity’s main point is
to remove this separation.
Things sold must be detached from previous owner; “basic imperialism” of human
beings
Conclusions: “… the rich must come back to considering themselves- freely and
also by obligation- as the financial guardians of their fellow citizens.” “Thus we
can and must return to archaic society and to elements in it.” pg.69
“…to emerge from self, to give freely, and obligatorily. We run no risk of
disappointment.” pg. 71
Hybrid of purely gratuitous and purely pragmatic giving is the only way for the future