The Role of Autoethnography within Anthropology (How Self Narrative is a Useful Research Tool in Social Science) Veronica Cluxton-Corley B.A., M.A. H.Dip. Theology Submitted in Fulfilment of Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Anthropology at Maynooth University, Ireland May 2017 Head of Department: Dr. Mark Maguire Supervisor: Dr. Abdullahi El-Tom i I declare that the thesis presented here is my original work and has not been submitted to any other institution. ………………………………. Veronica Cluxton-Corley, 2017. ii Table of Contents Table of Contents ....................................................................................................... iii Thesis Abstract ........................................................................................................ ix Dedication ................................................................................................................. x Acknowledgements ................................................................................................. xi Introductory Chapter .................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 Thesis Statement ................................................................................................ 1 Background/Rationale ........................................................................................ 2 Context ............................................................................................................... 2 Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................... 5 Methodology ...................................................................................................... 6 Chapter Outline ....................................................................................................... 6 What is Autoethnography ? ................................................................................ 6 New Wave (Millennium) Autoethnography ....................................................... 7 Categories and Exemplars of Autoethnography ................................................. 9 Autoethnography within an Irish Context ........................................................ 13 Ethics within Autoethnography ........................................................................ 13 Criticism of and Resistance to Autoethnography ............................................. 14 Autoethnographies New Frontiers .................................................................... 16 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 18 Chapter One: What is Autoethnography? ............................................................... 20 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 20 Defining Autoethnography .................................................................................... 20 Mary Louise Pratt and Autoethnography ......................................................... 22 David Hayano and Autoethnography ............................................................... 29 Deborah Reed-Danahay and Autoethnography ................................................ 31 New Period of Transition ...................................................................................... 34 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 35 Chapter Two: New Wave Autoethnography (New Millennialism) ....................... 36 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 36 Section One: The Emergence of New Millennia Autoethnography ................... 37 Meet Carolyn Ellis, Chief Proponent of New Wave Autoethnography ............... 37 iii The Walnut Creek Group ..................................................................................... 39 Establishing an Autoethnographic Mode of Inquiry ............................................ 40 Skill Set of Autoethnographer .............................................................................. 42 Key Elements Features, and Characteristics of Autoethnographic Inquiry ......... 43 Factors contributing to formation of Autoethnography ....................................... 43 Defining Features of Autoethnography ................................................................ 44 Visibility of Self ............................................................................................... 44 Strong Reflexivity ............................................................................................ 45 Engagement ...................................................................................................... 47 Engagement ...................................................................................................... 47 Vulnerability .................................................................................................... 47 Open-endedness/rejection of finality and closure ............................................ 48 Section Two: Sub divisions within Autoethnography ......................................... 49 Analytic Autoethnography ............................................................................... 49 Evocative Autoethnography ............................................................................. 50 Interpretive Autoethnography .......................................................................... 51 Collaborative Autoethnography ....................................................................... 52 Post Colonial Autoethnography ....................................................................... 54 Performative Autoethnography ........................................................................ 57 Feminist Autoethnography ............................................................................... 57 Section Three: The Process of Autoethnography ................................................ 58 Research Sources and Compilation in Autoethnography ................................. 59 Pitfalls of Writing Autoethnography ................................................................ 61 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 62 Chapter Three: Exemplars of Autoethnography (I) ............................................... 64 Categories One and Two: Indigenous and Ethnic Identity Autoethnography . 64 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 64 Section 1: Emergence of New Representational Methodologies ........................ 65 Women’s Representations of Culture .................................................................. 65 Section 2: Exemplars of Category 1: Indigenous Autoethnography ................. 68 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 68 Native American Indian Autoethnography ......................................................... 69 Ella Cara Deloria .................................................................................................. 69 Delorias Anxieties and Predicaments .............................................................. 73 Moves towards a ‘Practical Social Science’ .................................................... 74 Christine Quintasket (Mourning Dove): Perspective of Half Blood Woman ...... 74 iv Black South American Autoethnography: ........................................................... 78 Zora Neale Hurston .............................................................................................. 78 Reviews and Criticisms of Hurston’s Work .................................................... 83 Reflection ............................................................................................................. 88 Section 3: Exemplar of Category 2: Ethnic Identity Ethnography Or Second Generation Autoethnography: .......................................................................................... 90 Barbara Myerhoff ................................................................................................. 90 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 90 The Aliyah Centre ............................................................................................ 92 Coping with Displacement: Importance of Religion and Education ............... 95 Survivors’ Guilt and Researcher’s Guilt .......................................................... 98 Reflection ........................................................................................................... 100 Chapter Four: Exemplars of Autoethnography (II) ............................................. 101 Categories Three and Four: Anthropologists’ and Self-Reflective Experiential Autoethnographies ........................................................................................................... 101 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 101 Section 1: Exemplar of Category 3: Anthropologists’