Excellent Student "Reflective" Response Essay Example

Below, you will find an excellent example of a "reflective" response essay. The student has essentially applied Geertz to a recent event involving Michael Vick, who was convicted of dog fighting. The essay succeeds on many levels. First, the author takes a risk in form, almost imitating Geertz, by mixing narrative and analysis. While the piece may be accessible, it rarely if ever slips into a colloquial tone without purpose. In other words, even though the piece may seem "colloquial," the piece reflects the control of the author.

Americans Unable to Ignore Animal Cruelty

A Response to Clifford Geertz

            In April 2007 Michael Vick was indicted with felony charges for operating a dog-fighting venture. At the time I was a junior in high school watching in amazement as controversy erupted in Atlanta. As a child in Central Florida I learned from my family, friends, and community that animal cruelty is immoral. When the news broke that Michael Vick had taken part in the drowning, hanging, and electrocuting of dogs, my immediate environment howled with outrage and disgust. I assumed that everyone in the country shared these views excluding the very few that were committing these atrocious crimes.  After watching ESPN’s “Town Hall Meeting” I realized that my beliefs were not as widespread as I had previously believed. The meeting was a racially charged disaster that drove one blogger to write, “ESPN reminds you, black and white people hate each other.” The argument: the white media and government were punishing Michael Vick for his “black culture”, which included dog fighting. Back then I scoffed at the idea that animal cruelty could be used as cultural expression. Today, I have to pause and think. In the essay, “Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight”, Geertz examines how cockfighting reflects the Balinese culture and way of life.

            Clifford Geertz and his wife visited a Balinese village where they were, “invisible men.” The village ignored them and refused to acknowledge their presence. One day the couple joined the village in running from police after a cockfight and hid out in a local couples’ home. After this event the couple received acceptance from the entire village. The Balinese villagers were tickled by the Americans running from the police, and enjoyed listening to the story. Through this acceptance Geertz was able to start learning about how important cockfights were within Balinese culture. Balinese men have a, “deep psychological identification” with their cocks and the, “double entendre is deliberate.” The Balinese men spend enormous amounts of time with their cocks, feeding them, grooming them, or, “just gazing at them with a mixture of rapt admiration and dreamy self-absorption.” Animal-like behavior is considered repulsive and babies are not allowed to crawl. In the cockfights this, “animality,” and men meet and battle in a, “bloody drama of hatred, cruelty, violence, and death.” Geertz then shifts his essay to the rules and standard practices of cockfights. Cockfights are held in a ring and begin late in the afternoon and usually 10 fights comprise a program called a, “sehet.” The rules of cockfighting are written on palm-leaf manuscripts and have been passed down over the generations. Handlers tend to the cocks during the fight and will even resuscitate the bird. The umpire has absolute authority and Geertz never witnesses any villager complain or question an umpire’s judgment. Betting is also a very large part of the cockfights and can get very complicated. Geertz learns that the village always supports the local cock just as an American town supports the local football team. The cockfight embodies the culture, social networks, and rituals of Balinese life.

           

            Geertz invites his audience into the Balinese world hoping we will take advantage of the easy access he has provided for us. Although Geertz successfully creates metaphors in which to help the audience identify with the Balinese Villagers he ultimately failed to connect me with his impassioned take on cockfighting. His failure results from his lack to realize that I, as an American, must first overcome my disgust for animal cruelty before I can begin to understand the depth of culture and meaning in Balinese cockfighting. The Michael Vick saga proves Americans and myself struggle to overcome this animal cruelty barrier, which is crucial to opening our minds and understanding the Balinese. "Everybody always told me all I had to do was go play football and be successful on the field and everyone will forget what I've done," said Vick. "I don't find that to be true." American minds trapped by this barrier will remain closed to any further interpretation of what they deem to be a vulgar act.

            While reading “Deep Play” I realized that I am the tourist and Geertz is my guide. I ride along blindly on my tour bus and trust every word Geertz speaks into the intercom.  He takes me along his practiced route so that I will experience Bali the way he has designed for me.  Cockfighting is strange and exotic so Geertz tries to put it in a way I can understand. He describes villages going to, “away games,” where they root for their local cock. I easily relate this to the Atlanta Falcons fans and how they travel around the country to support their star quarterback. The cock and the quarterback both bring communities together and stir in them a want for excitement and victory. As the villagers will not remember the amount of money won in a cockfight neither will the Falcons fans remember the score of the game. It is the moments of nail biting excitement and victory that both communities will cherish for years. They are eager to return home with bragging rights, celebrating their champions.

            I raise my hand and ask Tour Guide Geertz what happens to the cock if it loses? Geertz responds that in order to lose the cock must die and then he begins to explain the rules in a matter of fact tone. I immediately focus on the finality of death. This is no longer in the realms of football; this is a matter of animal cruelty and life. I envision blood spraying, feathers flying, and roosters screaming as their flesh are torn to shreds. As my face contorts due to the disturbing images, Tour Guide Geertz speaks into the intercom, “ and if you look to your right you will see my landlord with his t-shirt that reads, I am cock crazy!” Not once does Geertz take it into consideration that his audience is undergoing culture shock and I have started planning an escape.

            In order to push the American Audience and myself over the animal cruelty barrier, Geertz should include all of the gory details of a cockfight. We Americans are hypocrites and will succumb to the temptations of the cockfight just as Geertz and the Balinese do. We are drawn to the dramatics and a battle to the death will make us salivate. Even though we may not change our view of it being wrong, our excitement and temptation will allow us to empathize with the Balinese and therefore overcome our animal cruelty barrier.

           

            While Geertz is effective in providing ways for his audience to relate to the Balinese, asking Americans and myself to simply overlook our revulsion to animal cruelty is unrealistic and ineffective. Due to this barrier I cannot view cockfighting as anything more than a disgusting practice performed by a people too alien to understand. Therefore I cannot grasp nor connect with the impassioned Geertz on cockfighting in the Balinese culture.