ANTH 0780 (CRN 35171)

Angela Lockard Reed

Parallel Worlds Study Questions

Chapter 1

1.  How did Alma interpret the greeting offered by a man in the waiting room of the minister’s office?

2.  What circuitous route led Alma into the field of Anthropology?

3.  What elements must be considered when you say “hello” in Beng culture?

4.  Discuss the Tabaski and didadi.

5.  Describe the ethnocentric viewpoint of the French working in M’Bahiakro towards the Africans.

Chapter 2

1.  Describe the beer-drinking with André.  Why was Alma uncomfortable?

2.  Describe the palm-wine drinking with Bwadi Kouakou.  What did Philip and Alma learn about Beng ideology?

3.  What Beng names were Alma and Philip given?

4.  What made Jean a useful language teacher and research assistant?

5.  How did Alma and Philip get through the antelope dinner prepared by Kla?  Why did they feel obliged to eat it?

6.  Describe Jean’s antelope story.  What message did Philip read into it?

7.  What is a common name type for the Beng?

8.  How is the concept of day for the Beng different than ours?

9.  What did Alma learn about pregnancy from Amenan?

10.  Many Beng couples are related to one another.  What is a common marriage pattern?

11.  What difficulties did Alma have selecting a village in which to do research?

12.  Why did Alma start having troubles with Jean?

13.  What did Alma and Philip learn from André after Philip killed a spider?

14.  Why didn’t André want Alma to sweep the room when she left?

Chapter 3

1.  Why did Jean recommend that they work outside?

2.  What difference did Philip find in the way adults and children among the Beng were treated?

3.  What did Philip find out about the Beng’s medical beliefs?

4.  What problems did Alma have when she started her census?

5.  What is required if someone gives you a gift or does something nice for you?

6.  Describe what Alma was able to witness at the funeral of a village elder.  Why wasn’t she able to learn more?