LM07 Response Paper_ The Nature of Magic - Jadynne Swint

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School

California State University, Chico *

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Course

140

Subject

Anthropology

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

pdf

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Uploaded by MateGuineaPigMaster1349

1 LM07 Response Paper: The Nature of Magic CSU Chico - ANTH140 1. Two forms of Fishing among the Trobriand Islanders in the inner lagoon where fish were plentiful and there was little danger, and on the open sea where fishing was dangerous and yields varied widely. Magic seemed to not be associated with Lagoon Fishing as the men relied on their own skills, but on the open sea they used a great deal of magical ritual to ensure the safety and to increase their catches. The three essential baseball activities are pitching, hitting, and fielding which are comparable to open sea fishing where players use the magic and the ritual to enhance their chances of success. 2. The author describes the importance of baseball by describing the difference between two cultures; baseball and the Trobriand Islanders. He uses a story to explain the Islander’s use magic in order to ensure good luck when they’re fishing in rougher environments like the open sea. Whereas American baseball players also use magic-like rituals that they perform prior to games in order to ensure good luck. 3. The pitcher is the least able to control the outcome of the game because it;s not promised he will perform well during the game even if he had a good practice prior. 4. Hitting is full risk and uncertain because “unless it’s a home run, no matter how well the batter hits the ball, fate determines whether it will go into a waiting glove, whistle past a fielder’s diving stab, or find a gap in the outfield. The uncertainty is compounded by the low success rate of hitting: the average hitter gets only one hit in every four trips to the plate, while the very best hitter averages only one hit every three trips” (Gmelch, Pg1). Batters suffer from the fear of being hit by a pitch because it is something they have nearly no control over; so the fear is always waiting to see the outcome of every pitch.

2 5. Certainty of fielding is explained as the one part of baseball where chance does not play much of a role meaning it is a pretty routined position where there are no magic like rituals. 6. The most common form of magic in professional baseball is in the activities of pitching and hitting rather than in fielding. When pitching or hitting players also use rituals to reduce chance and bring luck. Most rituals are performed by individuals rather than in a group like listening to the same song before pitching or tapping the home plate three times before batting. 7. Rituals are “infinitely varied because players can ritualize any activity that they feel is important or linked to good performance. 8. Rituals usually grow out of links to exceptionally good performances. When a player does well, he seldom attributes his success to skill alone. 9. Taboo is a religious or social practice that restricts a certain behavior, activity, or relationship with people, places, or things. Taboos usually grow out of poor performances. 10. Fetishes and charms are material objects believed to embody “supernatural” power that can aid or protect the owner. Ordinary objects require power if it’s believed to be a good luck charm. During World War II the American soldiers also used fetishes in great danger and uncertainty; soldiers developed magical practices, like protective amulets and good luck charms to feel as they escaped from danger. 11. Uniform numbers have special significance for some players who request their lucky number. There is no consensus about the effect of wearing number 13. “Imitative Magic” is a form of magic in which something like an object brings good success much like a

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