Book Reading #6: Coming of Age in Samoa

Reference Information
Title: Coming of Age in Samoa
Author: Margaret Mead
Editor: Harper Perennial, 1928 (1971)

Chapter 2: A Day in Samoa
Summary
This chapter briefly discussed a day in the life of a Samoan village. It started with the people rising at dawn, working until the noon feast, napping, then when the sun went down, it was time for "lighter things".

Discussion
While I find the brief summary to be interesting, there were many things that left me curious and wanting to know more, as they were confusing and not explained at all. I hope that there is more detail in later chapters of the book.



Appendix II: Methodology of this Survey
Summary
In this appendix, the methods of the investigation and book were discussed, including the fact that all of the questions of the study can't be answered while presenting a single picture of the culture. Because of this, the author states that details are left out of the book that are not necessary; however, those details were investigated often, they're just not useful to the topic under discussion.

Discussion
I like that it was stated that not everything could be discussed, even though much more may have been discovered through the study. This notifies the reader that there is much more than just what they read from this book about the culture.



Appendix V: Materials Upon Which the Analysis is Based
Summary
This section described the group of girls that were studies, stating that it may be fairly representative of various types of environment, personal and social, in Samoan civilization at the time. Then, a sample survey given to the girls is shown, with the resulting tables of personal and social information outlined for easy viewing.

Discussion
I find it interesting that the author would ask people personal questions and be able to get them to take a survey while not having been part of their culture for very long. Also, the fact that she believes this group to be representative of the environment in Samoan culture may not be quite right, as that small group of people may not be just like the rest of them.