User:Mari1211/A Diary in the Strict Sense of the Term

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A Diary in the Strict Sense of the Term is a collection of the private diaries of the prominent anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski during his fieldwork in New Guinea and the Trobriand Islands between 1914-1915 and 1917-1918. Published posthumously by his widow Valetta Swann in 1967, the diaries, which repeatedly touches upon intensely personal matters such as sexual desires, as well as that of his private prejudices against his interlocutors, has remained extremely controversial. The introduction of the book was written by his pupil Raymond Firth.

Bronislaw's Malinowski’s widow Valetta Swann stated that the decision and responsibility of his diary being published is solely hers. In the preface of the book she acknowledges that despite the diary being an intimate personal collection and critics may feel that it should not be published. But she concluded “ But after seriously weighing in the matter, I reached the conclusion that it is of greater importance to give to the present and future students and readers of Malinowski’s anthropological writings this direct insight into his inner personality, and his way of living and thinking during the period of his most important work in the field” (PREFACE  iX)

The writings in the book are believed to have never been intended to be published my Malinowski. Participant observation was his practice during the period of his diary entries. The diary was handwritten by B Malinowski mainly in polish. There were also words in other languages that Malinowski was familiar with. (NOTE)

Controversial Journal Entry