The Gift

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1923

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Conclusion

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

What rule of legality and self-interest compels the gift that has been received to be obligatorily reciprocated? Explain.

What power (mana) resides in the object given that causes its recipient to pay it back? What are the consequences if it is not reciprocated? Give examples.

Mauss states that the obligation to give is only superseded by the obligation to accept. In this way the potlatch is a system of total services, in particular of an agonistic type. What does he mean by this? Explain.