I argue that reflexive individuality is a pervasive habitus, especially for Martinborough’s middle class tourists, and that this “reflexive habitus” (Sweetman 2003: 537) generates ideal dispositions, which are mediated through other habitus (e.g. Bourdieu (1984, 2002) contends that within habitus various subconscious, durable, and transposable dispositions are generated. Social distinction is marked by the competitive struggle for, and deployment of, various capitals by individuals and groups (Bourdieu 1984). My analysis arises from participantobservation fieldwork, interviews, and surveys in a number of public tourism and wine contexts in Martinborough and elsewhere. I explore the collusive framing of Martinborough as a metrorural idyll dedicated to urbane and leisured consumption, and how within this performative setting tourists attempted to reconcile their middle class distinction (general and hierarchical) with their simultaneous pursuit of a reflexive praiseworthy self (Howland 2004). My thesis therefore examines the tourists’ performative displays and public narratives of social distinction and ideal reflexive individuality. Attracted by the prospect of a rural idyll experience and conspicuous opportunities for urbane consumption, Martinborough’s wine tourists also typically desired highly idealised and personalised holiday experiences. Martinborough, a small rural settlement renowned for its Pinot Noir wines, is a popular holiday destination for many of the new middle class resident in nearby Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |