Anthropological Fieldwork
Fieldwork Team - Brief
You are a team of anthropologists, conducting fieldwork to find out about life in the rural Andalusian community where the events of Blood Wedding took place. You have invited various community groups to explain how they understand aspects of local culture and society.
You will be interviewing three groups, who will each provide a brief statement in response to one of the following questions:
- [Mothers and older women] How do you see the role of marriage in preserving family honour and stability in this community?
- [Young men] What does it mean to be a man in this village, and how do you respond when your honour is challenged?
- [Servants and labourers] From your perspective, how do the conflicts between the wealthier families affect the rest of the community?
After each statement, you will ask two follow-up questions. These will be supplied on the day.
After each group has responded to your questions, it will also ask you a question. This will be supplied on the day. You should be prepared to answer questions on social and ethical issues.
Mothers and older women of the village - Brief
In advance of the session, you should prepare notes for a five-minute statement in response to the question: "How do you see the role of marriage in preserving family honour and stability in this community?"Some points to consider:
- Family and social expectations – How marriage cements alliances between families and ensures social order
- Gender roles and duty – The role of women in upholding tradition, particularly as mothers and wives
- Fear of past violence repeating – The impact of past feuds and why avoiding scandal is so crucial
- Personal vs. collective interests – How individual desires (like those of the Bride) disrupt the community’s stability
During the session, the anthropologists will ask further questions - these will be supplied on the day. You should be prepared to answer questions on social and ethical issues. You will also be given a question to ask the anthropologists.
Young men of the village - Brief
In advance of the session, you should prepare notes for a five-minute statement in response to the question: "What does it mean to be a man in this village, and how do you respond when your honour is challenged?"Some points to consider:
- Masculinity and reputation – The expectations placed on men to be strong, protective, and decisive
- Violence as justice – Whether physical confrontation is necessary or avoidable in matters of honour
- Economic and social pressure – The role of land ownership, work, and marriage in proving one’s worth
- Love v. obligation – Whether passion (like that of Leonardo) is reckless or an unavoidable force
During the session, the anthropologists will ask further questions - these will be supplied on the day. You should be prepared to answer questions on social and ethical issues. You will also be given a question to ask the anthropologists.
Servants and agricultural labourers - Brief
In advance of the session, you should prepare notes for a five-minute statement in response to the question: "From your perspective, how do the conflicts between the wealthier families affect the rest of the community?"Some points to consider:
- Economic dependence – How the village relies on powerful families for employment and stability
- Fear of involvement – The risks ordinary people face when drawn into feuds beyond their control
- Gossip and surveillance – How lower-class people observe and spread news of events among higher social groups
- Desire for change or resignation – Do you accept your subordinate role, or wish for a different social order?
During the session, the anthropologists will ask further questions - these will be supplied on the day. You should be prepared to answer questions on social and ethical issues. You will also be given a question to ask the anthropologists.
