Holy bonsai wolves: chihuahuas and the Paris Hilton syndrome
2014 (engelsk)Inngår i: International journal of cultural studies, ISSN 1367-8779, E-ISSN 1460-356X, Vol. 17, nr 1, s. 93-109Artikkel i tidsskrift (Fagfellevurdert) Published
Abstract [en]
This article examines the reasons for the Chihuahua breed’s popularity in contemporary westernsociety by looking at two sets of data: Chihuahua handbooks and The Simple Life show, starringParis Hilton and her Chihuahua Tinkerbell. The article argues that the Chihuahua is a holy anomaly:a creature which can be used in myths and rituals to temporarily alleviate the tension-filled binaryoppositions and stereotypes inherent in a particular culture, in order to celebrate and reinforcethat culture’s categories and social order. The Chihuahua – or the bonsai wolf – transcendstwo binary oppositions fundamental to contemporary westerners: subject/object and nature/culture. Although the Chihuahua challenges a number of related binary oppositions, it is generallydismissed as a matter for humor, low-brow entertainment or expressions of sentimentality,rendering ritual encounters with Chihuahuas harmless. The article concludes by asking: whatwould happen if humans actually started listening to what the Chihuahua is telling them?
sted, utgiver, år, opplag, sider
Sage Publications , 2014. Vol. 17, nr 1, s. 93-109
Emneord [en]
animal–human relations, anomalies, binary oppositions, chihuahuas, dichotomies, dogs, Donna Haraway, Paris Hilton, hudographies, humor, popular culture
HSV kategori
Identifikatorer
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-261559DOI: 10.1177/1367877912464539ISI: 000328600100006OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-261559DiVA, id: diva2:850686
2014-11-282015-09-012017-12-04