Mediated Constructions and Audience Responses to Polygamist Controversies A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Scripps College of Communication of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Heather M. Stassen June 2010 © 2010 Heather M. Stassen. All Rights Reserved. This dissertation titled Mediated Constructions and Audience Responses to Polygamist Controversies by HEATHER M. STASSEN has been approved for the School of Communication Studies and the Scripps College of Communication by Roger C. Aden Professor of Communication Studies Gregory J. Shepherd Dean, Scripps College of Communication ii ABSTRACT STASSEN, HEATHER M., Ph.D., June 2010, Communication Studies Mediated Constructions and Audience Responses to Polygamy Controversies (215 pp.) Director of Dissertation: Roger C. Aden This dissertation explores 14 publics that emerged throughout three polygamist controversies from 2006 through 2008. The first two chapters seek to establish a framework through which each controversy is explored. Specifically, warfare, pathogen stress, male absenteeism, and labor distribution are identified as plausible and possible rationales for the practice of polygamy. Subsequently, the history and contemporary role of polygamy in the United States is traced back to Native American culture and the contemporary practice of polygamy within the United States to members of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS). Additionally, key terms such as controversy, abductive criticism, textual fragments, and publics are defined and situated within the literature. The three analysis chapters reveal 14 publics that emerged throughout the polygamist controversies. An exploration of responses to the premiere of HBO’s fictional drama about polygamy, Big Love, reveals six publics. These six publics include members of the Mormon Church, those engaged in polyamorous relationships, polygamists, gay marriage opponents, those who believe polygamy has inherently bad consequences, and those who believe that polygamy itself is a neutral practice. An examination into the Yearning for Zion raid reveals four publics. Included among those publics are those who attempt to shift attention away from the controversy, those who blame the raid on Child Protective Services (CPS), those who blame the raid on the FLDS, and those who iii criticize newspaper coverage of the raid. The final analysis chapter delves into audience responses of photographs taken of former FLDS leader, Warren Jeffs, kissing underage girls. In this analysis, four publics emerge including those who are repulsed by the photographs, those who believe the photographs are evidence of the raid’s necessity, those who are opposed to the FLDS, and those who believe that the photographs should not be understood as evidence of abuse. The final chapter draws connections across the analysis chapter in terms of implications for the larger polygamy controversy, the difficulty of using textual fragments, and limitations in existing theory. A writing story concludes the dissertation. Approved: _____________________________________________________________ Roger C. Aden Professor of Communication Studies iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As I reflect back on my graduate career at Ohio University, I simply can’t help but smile. I think back to my first day on campus – the first time I met the people who would become my friends, mentors, classmates, and family over the course of the next four years. At that time, I would have never guessed the impact that these individuals would have in my life. Now, in these moments of reflection, I would like to thank those who have both challenged and empowered me to be a better scholar, teacher, and person. To my advisor and Chair of my dissertation committee, Dr, Roger Aden, you have been an incredible mentor throughout the course of my doctoral work. I truly appreciate all of your guidance and constructive criticism throughout not only the dissertation process, but at each step throughout the past four years. Your unparalleled kindness in providing feedback has allowed me to feel empowered and prepared for both writing this dissertation and moving forward with my career. I would also like to acknowledge the members of my dissertation committee including Dr. Benjamin Bates, Dr. Devika Chawla, Dr. Tom Daniels, and Dr. Katherine Jellison. To each member of the committee, I would like to thank you for all of your time and feedback, you have challenged me to become a better writer, think more critically, and question my role as a researcher. Dr. Bates, your openness to provide feedback and our journey through McGee’s writings undoubtedly changed the direction of my graduate career. Dr. Chawla, you have been a mentor, a role model, and an inspiration to me since the start of my doctoral work. Dr. Daniels, you taught me to embrace rather than fear quantitative methodologies. Because of you, I feel that I am able to tackle new challenges. The dissertation, as the culmination of my graduate school experience, started v long before I even selected a topic – my writing, methodological, and critical thinking skills were formulated throughout my coursework. To Dr. Judith Lee, thank you for believing in my abilities and for pushing me to think and write differently. Although faculty played the formal roles of teachers and mentors, fellow graduate students were incredibly influential throughout the journey. To Kenny Sibal, Dr. Jocelyn DeGroot, Megan Dowd, Dr. Jennifer Dunn, and Sarah Heiss, thank you for all of your support, sympathetic ears, long conversations, and for the countless hours spent together in the computer lab. To long-time friend and fellow Ohio University graduate student, Nicole Pierson,” you’re a pal and a confidant, thank you for being a friend.” Throughout graduate school and now as I start my career, I am incredibly fortunate to have had countless fantastic, intelligent, and caring students. I would be remiss not to thank each and every one of my current and former students for their interest in my research and for their constructive feedback. Finally, I would like to thank my family including John and Donna Stassen, Sam Ferrara, Betty Hendry, and the late Tom Hendry. Each of you has always supported my education and has encouraged me to follow my dreams and aspirations. You never once questioned my decision to move away from home to pursue my doctorate. During the writing of my dissertation, you provided me with encouragement, confirmation, and support. You have made a number of sacrifices to ensure that I would be able to obtain the best education possible and that I would have the time and resources necessary pursue my aspirations. I simply cannot thank you all enough. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... v List of Images .................................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1: Dissertation Rationale & Polygamy Overview ................................................. 1 Research Questions ......................................................................................................... 2 Definitions and Cultural Understandings of Polygamy .................................................. 3 Polygamy in the United States ........................................................................................ 6 Selection of Textual Fragments ...................................................................................... 9 Scope ........................................................................................................................... 9 Form .......................................................................................................................... 10 Intertextuality ............................................................................................................ 11 Unselected Texts ....................................................................................................... 11 Footnotes ....................................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 2: Rhetorical & Methodological Perspectives ..................................................... 15 Theoretical and Methodological Underpinnings .......................................................... 15 Approach to Analysis .................................................................................................... 21 Chapter Outlines ........................................................................................................... 23 (De)Constructing Divergent Voices in the Big Love Controversy ........................... 23 The Debate over Yearning for Zion Ranch ............................................................... 26 Exploring Audience Responses to the Warren Jeffs Photographs ............................ 30 Discussion & Conclusion Chapter ............................................................................ 32 vii Footnotes ....................................................................................................................... 34 Chapter 3: When One Wife Just Isn’t Enough: (De)Constructing Divergent Voices in the Big Love Controversy ......................................................................................................