A comparison of Behar’s The Vulnerable Observer and...

When presented with ethnographic works, the first thing one would normally do would be to compare. The Vulnerable Observer by Ruth Behar and In the Realm of the Diamond Queen by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing, both demonstrate key factors that prove to be prevalent throughout the anthropological world today. Through the examination of each piece, it is clear that they both share similar restrictions, trials and tribulations. As both books begin to unravel, the themes of marginality and borders (in a multitude of contexts) rise to the surface. Besides the similarities, there are also major differences between the two pieces of work. Behar and Tsing share a very different style of anthropology, which creates am interesting contrast on the way each†¦show more content†¦Also, throughout this ethnographic piece it is evident that there is some divide in the way men and women are treated. This relates to Mascia-Lee’s piece on Gender and Anthropology as it examines the borders that ( usually, women) are faced with throughout the field of anthropology. On page 20 of this article, it discusses the implications that borders and limitations impose on the levels of sexual stratification throughout the anthropology world. (Masica- Lee, 2000) The next theme that is a relevant source of comparison for both novels would be on the basis of marginality. In Behar’s book, there are clearly instances where marginalized groups are displayed. Since Behar is originally from Cuba, she discusses the way in which her life was before she moved to the United States. One example in particular that stands out was the moment when Behar was conversing with her friend Marta. Behar states that, â€Å"†¦promised I would do everything in my power to protect Marta from the many perils of modernity on this side of the border. (Behar, 1996, p. 98) This quote displays the way in which Marta, who came from Mexico, was about to conform to the norms of American society, as she was about to partake in a hysterectomy. This relates to marginality due to the fact that where Marta originated from, this would have never happened. This also relates to Mary Douglas’s article on External Boundaries. Within this article, Mary Douglas states that, â€Å"†¦it has external boundaries,