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Line Dancing: a Performative and Phenomenological Study of the Borderlands Region of Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont

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Line Dancing: a Performative and Phenomenological Study of the Borderlands Region of Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont Line Dancing: A Performative and Phenomenological Study of the Borderlands Region of Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont by Sandra Vandervalk A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario © 2017, Sandra Vandervalk Abstract This ethnographic study of the borderlands region of Stanstead, Quebec and Derby Line, Vermont uses an approach that draws from both performativity and phenomenology to explore the local life–world. I argue that there is a uniquely borderland way of being in the world in this region. This is reflected in the local experience of the border as something that unites rather than as something that divides. I suggest that the hardening border is taking a toll on the perceived unity of the cross–border community, even as a borderland way of being persists. I examine aspects of border enactment and claim that on the Canadian side, the border is cooperatively enacted, and that “smart” border crossing is a marker of borderlander identity. On the American side, border changes have made the borderlands into a zone of exclusion. Finally, I argue that borderlanders trouble the non–borderlander understanding of the border. ii Acknowledgements First and perhaps foremost, I must thank my informants and many new friends in Stanstead and Derby Line. They welcomed me into their community and made me feel like it was mine too. They will always have a very special place in my heart. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Bernhard Leistle. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to benefit from his expertise, kindness, and patience. I am also very grateful for Dr. Frances Slaney’s input. I would like to thank Paula Whissell for helping me contend with the administrative hurdles (and life crises) that always seemed to be popping up. I would like to single out a few people who generously allowed me to talk my way through much of this project with them. To my good friend Wynn: Thank you so much! To another very important person in my life, Vince: We did it! And to mentors Danny and Kristy: Your insights and encouragement were very important to me, especially early on. From the bottom of my heart, I thank my family. I thank my longsuffering husband Leon for encouraging me to carry on with this venture. I thank my son Jer for listening to so much of this, and for his sound, logical critiques. I thank my daughter Allie for her tolerance and fabulous sense of humour—both of which were needed regularly. Finally, I would like to dedicate this thesis to my father–in–law Leo Vandervalk, who passed away unexpectedly prior to its completion. I continue to be inspired by my memory of him—his generous spirit, his determination, and his commitment to his family. This research was made possible in part through a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) J. A. Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship, as well as an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. iii Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................. ii Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ................................................................................................................... vii List of Illustrations ......................................................................................................... viii Chapter One—Introduction: Methodology and Literature Review ............................ 1 My Interest in the Study .................................................................................................. 6 My Expectations—Drawn from the Headlines ............................................................... 9 My Planned Methodology, and What Actually Happened ........................................... 10 Theorizing the Border ................................................................................................... 15 This Project: At the Intersection of Phenomenology and Performance Theory ........... 20 Outline of Chapters ....................................................................................................... 22 Chapter Two—Life on the Edge .................................................................................... 25 Stanstead and Derby Line—Geography ....................................................................... 27 The Boundary, the Border ............................................................................................. 30 The Villagers and Townspeople ................................................................................... 35 A Brief History ............................................................................................................. 42 Pre–Settlement .......................................................................................................... 43 Early European Settlement of Stanstead and Derby Line ......................................... 44 Smuggling Emerges with the Border ........................................................................ 48 iv Temperance–The Dry State of Vermont ................................................................... 51 From Undefended Border to Secure Border ................................................................. 55 Stanstead and Derby Line—Divided Communities? .................................................... 63 Chapter Three—Pizza and Hot Air: The Social Drama ............................................. 70 Pizza: Pick–Up or Delivery .......................................................................................... 72 The Life–World ............................................................................................................ 75 Performance .................................................................................................................. 82 The Social Drama ......................................................................................................... 85 The Great Windmill Debacle ........................................................................................ 92 Chapter Four—Passing Through or Living Here: Body and Self In–between and On Edge ................................................................................................................................ 101 Discombobulation and Bewilderment in the Liminal Zone ........................................ 102 The Border as Experienced by an Outsider: A Threshold .......................................... 105 Embodiment and liminality......................................................................................... 110 Intersubjectivity and Identity in an In–between Place ................................................ 117 An In–between Way of Being in the World ............................................................... 125 Chapter Five—Making It Real by Playing the Part: Everyday Interaction across the Border ............................................................................................................................ 137 Goffman and Austin: Theories of Self–Presentation and Performativity ................... 138 The Game: Co–conspirators in the Construction of Border Reality ........................... 146 v The American Experience ........................................................................................... 162 Different Sides, Different Histories ............................................................................ 169 Chapter Six—Conclusion ............................................................................................. 173 References ...................................................................................................................... 184 vi List of Tables Table 1. Pedestrian Crossings at Derby Line Port of Entry 1997 to 2010………………61 vii List of Illustrations Figure 1. The Manoir Retirement Home, formerly the Ursuline Convent. ........................ 3 Figure 2. Hand–carved wooden crucifix ............................................................................. 3 Figure 3. The Haskell Library. ............................................................................................ 7 Figure 4. The border through the Haskell library, marked by black electrical tape. .......... 7 Figure 5. Location of Stanstead and Derby Line .............................................................. 28 Figure 6. The Three Villages. ........................................................................................... 28 Figure 7. Border monument. ............................................................................................. 32 Figure 8. The Canadian port of entry in Rock Island. ...................................................... 32 Figure 9. U. S. Port of entry at Beebe ............................................................................... 33 Figure 10. The approach up Main Street to the U. S. port of entry in Derby Line. .......... 33 Figure 11. Stanstead College. Private university preparatory school. .............................. 38 Figure 12. The old Butterfield's plant, Canadian side. ...................................................... 38 Figure 13. Granite quarry near Beebe. .............................................................................
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