Purity and Danger

by Douglas, M.
Purity and Danger cover
Good Books rating 4.1
History, Identity, Culture, Sociology
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  • ID: 9143
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2025-12-23
  • ISBN: 9780203314586
  • Reviews: 3

Purity and Danger is a seminal work by Mary Douglas that challenges conventional notions of purity and danger. Through a series of case studies, Douglas argues that the concepts of cleanliness and contamination are not universal but are instead culturally constructed and socially enforced. She examines how different societies create boundaries and classifications to maintain order and control, and how these classifications can be used to exclude and marginalize certain groups. The book is a foundational text in the field of anthropology and has had a profound influence on the study of culture and society.

Reviews
Blinkist · 2025-12-23
thought-provoking 3.80

The book is a thought-provoking exploration of the cultural and social meanings attached to cleanliness and dirtiness. It is praised for its depth and relevance.

This review highlights the book's exploration of the cultural and social meanings attached to cleanliness and dirtiness. The reviewer appreciates the book's depth and relevance, noting that it offers valuable insights into the broader cultural significance of purity and danger. They also note that the book's insights are particularly valuable for understanding the role of these concepts in shaping social structures.

Quick quotes

    A thought-provoking exploration of the cultural and social meanings attached to cleanliness and dirtiness

    Valuable insights into the broader cultural significance of purity and danger

    The book's insights are particularly valuable for understanding the role of these concepts

HISTANTHRO · 2020-06-12
insightful 4.50

The book offers a sharp, comparative analysis of symbolic boundary maintenance across different times and cultures. It is seen as a significant intervention in the anthropology of religion.

This review highlights how Mary Douglas's work provides a fresh perspective on how societies maintain boundaries through symbols and rituals. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to bridge different cultural contexts and its enduring relevance in the field of anthropology. They also note that the book's insights are particularly valuable in understanding the role of purity and danger in shaping social structures.

Quick quotes

    A sharp, comparative analysis of symbolic boundary maintenance across times and cultures

    Mary Douglas's Purity and Danger intervened in the anthropology of religion

    The book's insights are particularly valuable in understanding the role of purity and danger

Evening All Afternoon · 2011-08-30
engaging 4.00

The book explores the role of rituals of purity and pollution in both primitive and advanced societies. It is praised for its lucid prose and thought-provoking content.

This review emphasizes the book's exploration of ritual cleanness and uncleanness, highlighting its relevance to both historical and contemporary societies. The reviewer appreciates Douglas's ability to make complex ideas accessible and engaging. They also note that the book's insights are valuable for understanding the broader cultural significance of purity and danger.

Quick quotes

    Douglas is writing about ritual cleanness and uncleanness

    The role that rituals of purity and pollution play in both primitive and advanced societies

    Lucid prose and thought-provoking content

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