Final Exam Flashcards
Be able to recall the basic features of the commemorative narratives Zerubavel outlines in her book, i.e., Tel Hai, Masada, and Bar Kohkba’s Revolt.
In Israeli master commemorative/core narrative involves the defense of the land. The master commemorative narrative for the book - Self-sacrifice for the nation. It’s about the effort of embodying the ideal. Conflict formula. It’s about the effort of embodying the ideal
Israeli national memory tends to revolve around conflict with neighbors.
What is the role of images in our politics (i.e., “the imaginal”), and where do our political images come from?
Images give us something concrete to hold onto. We don’t just conjure up the images in our brains ourselves, we also get images from culture. All of this is created through the interaction between people and politics. - To do politics we have to visualize and get our heads around our order and role to understand politics.
- Images we think of and what we associate with things such as politics.
What effect has the rapid growth of mass media had on our ability to produce new political images?
Bottici says the proliferation of the internet, social media, etc. has made it harder to produce new images - not easier. Images have been commodified, it’s a product to be swapped around. Images are less reliant and trustworthy and have less impact because things can easily be doctored.
Bar Kokhba Revolt
Last revolt before the exile.
His loss wasn’t the point it was the fact that he fought that was what was important. To draw him closer to the biblical hero they added the lion (like Samson). Plus, it added the connection between man and land.
It’s about the effort of embodying the ideal
What is civil religion?
Merging of sacred and political loyalty to the state. State becomes a sacred object
What does Bercovitch see as the central image of US American political myth?
We are here for the purpose errant. The mission. It is our destiny.
What is “significance,” and how does myth produce it?
Significance - that which makes the world less indifferent to our presence. Myth springs from the human need for significance. Myth’s give us a role to play.
What social situation is most likely to prompt a ‘mythic’ response?
Perceived crises and situations make us question our place in the world such as poverty or crime.
According to Brown, what was the overarching effect of Civil War monuments on American political culture?
Militarization of America. It shows what is expected of us.
Monuments Idealize and guide thinking about politics.
Why should myths be understood as a form of “practical” thinking?
A way of thinking through problems. A way to get things done. We need some myths to ground experience in the world.
Balthrop’s theories of the relationship between myth and ideology.
Ideology is created to protect myth. Myth is the real thing. When people attack the myth, ideology is created to protect it.
Flood’s theories of the relationship between myth and ideology.
Myth is a vehicle for ideology. A container to move ideology from point a to b.
What is myth according to Barthes? How are they produced, and what is their purpose?
From sign to myth. The signifier to signified. A myth is turned into a form, emptied of historical context, and put into a concept (ideology). Myth naturalizes an ideology and is the conveyor of an ideological message.
What is a group’s “master commemorative narrative”?
The master commemorative narrative provides the form for all other commemorative narratives. Try to teach you a moral. They’re all connected through the master comm. narrative. That’s why so many narratives look so similar.
EX. U.S National Exceptionalism. “Return” master commemorative memories mean a rebirth. Return to homeland.
What is the “interrelational” approach to myth?
Focus is on the work on myth. Myth is fluid and interchangeable. Myths can always change. Something that takes place and evolves between the person telling their myths and the audience. Myth is inherently communicative. Myth is a verb, not a thing
What is “periodization,” and how is it related to commemoration?
- Dividing up history into distinct periods. A way to provide order on the past. There is a focus on key specific events, and they’re treated as turning points in history. OR How we order time. Eras, moments, epics, etc.
- EX: Our history is divided up into war.
Some periods have more commemorative density. Things like the Civil War, WW2, Vietnam, 9/11.
Masada
Mass murder/suicide.
Counter memory - weren’t fighting the Romans they were avoiding the Romans.
Play up the act but downplay what they were doing
What are “invented” traditions, and what are their purpose?
National traditions that often claim roots in antiquity, upon closer inspection it is more historically recent.
With the growth of more modern technology, they need people to identify with each other and the state, so they look to the past. They provide a sense of significance for the people. Produce loyalty to the state. (ultimately why they’re invented)
EX. Revival of Greek tradition in the U.S. helped unify the American people despite political differences.
Why do Bottici and Challand think “the clash of civilizations” is a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Gives people motivation by showcasing who the bad guys and good guys are it dramatizes things. What it is and how it works. Myth is a plan for action. It doesn’t tell you where you are but what you should do / be and feel. Myths become self-fulfilling prophecies.
