38 pages • 1 hour read
Marcel MaussThe Gift
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1923A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Marcel Mauss's The Gift (1925) examines the sociocultural, political, and economic aspects of gift-giving among Northwest Coast American Indians, Melanesians, and Polynesians. The essay explores concepts like honor, reciprocity, and prestige, contrasting Western commerce with traditional gift exchanges, which enhance social bonds and obligations. Mauss's analysis highlights the cultural significance of the potlatch and similar practices throughout history.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Gift by Marcel Mauss receives praise for its groundbreaking analysis of reciprocity and social exchange, foundational to modern anthropology and sociology. Critics commend its depth but note its dense, academic prose may challenge casual readers. The anthropological case studies are highly valued, though some perceive the scope to be somewhat Eurocentric.
Who Should Read The Gift?
The reader who would enjoy The Gift by Marcel Mauss is likely fascinated by anthropology, sociology, and economics. They appreciate seminal works that explore social exchange and reciprocity, akin to Malinowski's Argonauts of the Western Pacific. Fans of Durkheim's studies on societal structures will find Mauss's analysis especially compelling.