Book Reading #6: Coming of Age in Samoa

Coming of Age in Samoa

Margaret Mead

Chapter 2: A Day in Samoa

Summary: In this second chapter, Margaret Mead describes with much detail a regular day at Samoa. She details the activities that each member of a family will do since dawn until past midnight when the day was over. From the smallest kids, to the elders of the villages, Mead captures their daily lives and customs, giving a general idea of how the life at a community like this one is.

Discussion: In my opinion, Mead uses a really descriptive language, that for me it was a bit difficult to follow at some points. However, I do think that she did such a great job in describing how each group of people would spend their days in such a short chapter; she was even able to let the reader know about some on the customs, for example, who eats first at dinner time, who goes to sleep first and who at last, etc.

Appendix II: Methodology of This Study

Summary: In this appendix, Mead describes what assumptions she does, what methods she chose to follow, and clarifies certain points that are important for the basis of her study. She describes how it is impossible to obtain really accurate data, because for example, she was not able to obtain accurate dates of birth. Another thing she explains, is how she obtained the information and background of the place, by native informants, before being able to start analyzing the behavior of the adolescent girls, by interviewing with them personally. She also clarifies that all the information was gathered in their native language.

Discussion: I think it was interesting to read this information before reading the contents of the book. Now we have an idea of why and how she decided to go about the gathering of information, and how accurate and verifiable she thinks it is. 

Appendix V: Materials upon Which the Analysis is Based

Summary: In this appendix, Mead presents detailed explanations of the information that she obtained from the girls and how she obtained it. She also gives some numbers, and tables containing some of the information she gathered. This information includes family, social and sexual interactions of each of the girls, as well as the topics of the intelligence tests that she gave to these girls.

Discussion: I found all the information from the tables to be really interesting. Majority of the information is really personal, I can't imagine how Mead was able to gain the trust of these people and be able to go so deeply into their lives. I think she did a great job, and I haven't yet read the book! I'm really looking forward to read the rest of the chapters and be able do discover how such an observation can be possible.