K.D: Hello, Hello everyone! I've had the greatest honor of being able to interview Margaret Mead! Most of you are probably wondering "How am I able to interview the dead?" No, I'm not using a Wee gee Board or anything like that. Some how to my luck, Margaret Mead is here in the flesh! So I bring to you all, the Sociologist herself, Margaret Mead!!
M: *comes in, takes a seat next to K.D.* It's a pleasure to be here. *smiles*
K.D: Ok Mrs. Mead, I have a few questions for you. If you'd be so kind as to answer?
M: Why, I'd love for you to interview me. I mean, this IS a once in a life time opportunity, isn't it?
K.D: Why thank you Mrs. Mead! So polite! Well then, I'm ready when you are.
M: I'm ready. Ask away.
K.D: OK! First question. What events in your life might have sparked an interest in the science field you study?
M: Hmm...*thinks for a minute* I'd have to say...Maybe my mother. She was in the field of Sociology. And as you all know, Sociology is the social science field that uses different methods and strategies to develop a body of knowledge and the theory about human social activity.
K.D: I see...Ok, moving on.
M: *repositions self in chair*
K.D: Question Two: What role did any teacher you had play a part in developing your talents or interests in the field of Anthropology?
M: What role they played? Well, my Professor, Franz Boas, taught me in a course of Anthropology when I attended Barnard University. During that same year, my first field studies trip I attended was made. I went to Ta'u, in Samoa. I cannot really remember...But I believe that he went with me. He taught me all I know and I believe even encouraged me. Even though during the time, female scientists were not as important as male scientists.
K.D: I see, wait...Women had rights though, didn't they? Shouldn't they have been respected the same?
M: *nods* Yes, women had rights...but that doesn't mean that they were valued any more then they were without them.
K.D: Oh....I'm sorry to hear that...well then, shall we continue? *fixes papers*
M: *nods*
K.D: Ok. The next question. What were your major accomplishments? What methodologies and were used? What Principles were upheld?
M: My major accomplishments would have to be my novels. I've authored a total of 39 books. Which 15 of those were collaborations with other people. Methodologies used were to experience it. In Ta'u, I lived among the Samoans. Based off what I learned from that village, I was able to publish my book, Coming of Age in Samoa. Principles?...Hmm, I guess the regular principles for any experiment apply. You see, my information has been challenged. A man named Derek Freeman has challenged my findings multiple times. He and many other scientists have studied many other parts of Samoa and have come up with different findings. They overly emphasized the violent aspects of Samoan life. Freeman has also said that I was lied to by two of my female informants, which has "made me come to the conclusion" about my research of Samoan culture and the sexual freedoms of the girls in the village. He's even published many articles and books on my research. His most famous is The Fateful Hoaxing of Margaret Mead, which was published in 1999. Basically what I'm saying, is that my research...it's like a hypothesis. My conclusions can still be challenged by other 'experiments', or field studies. My information has not been proven to be 100% accurate, but it can still be tested. Just like an experiment.
K.D: Wow...that's awesome....
M: *smiles* Why thankyou. I guess you could say it's really "awesome". *laughs*
K.D: *laughs with her* Ok. Moving on. What were your limitations as a scientist or a person?
M: The biggest limitation I had throughout my career would be my gender. Being a female, especially in the field of science, wasn't really valued, so your findings were not valued all that well either. My father even once said to me that I would have gotten so much farther in my studies and my science field if I was a man instead...He didn't really have all that much faith in me, but I still loved him none the less.
K.D: *frowns* That must have been hard...Your father not even supporting you...
M: It's ok though, I still made it through. I probably wouldn't have gotten far and proven to everyone that women can be just as great as men if I didn't have people doubt me. *smiles*
K.D: And you're still able to smile.....Ok. Let's continue, shall we?
M: *nods*
K.D: Question Five. What were the philosophical/religious beliefs at the time?
M: The philosophical part I cannot really explain...I can't remember. Though, the religious views were the same back then as they are today. Even though back then, most religions other than Christianity were not really accepted as much.
K.D: Mmhmm. I see. Okay, next question. How did YOUR ideas fit in with or disagree with the beliefs of the previous question?
M: Well, I believed in Christianity. Though my parents were Atheist and none of my friends knew of my practice, I believed in Christianity. I even asked at age eleven to be baptized. So to answer, my beliefs fit in with the beliefs of society because I practiced the same religion.
K.D: Ok, Ok! Hey, we're almost done with the interview!
M: Well, that's good I suppose?
K.D: *nods* Yes it is. Moving on. Question seven. What major cultural, economic, or political situations were taking place during your work period?
M: Well three things have happened that I've lived through all three. Even though you're focusing on my WW1 era work, I've lived through three of the most horrible times in American history. First, I've lived through and worked through WW1. Although I'm sure you already knew that. Second was the Great Depression, I still continued to work strong. And finally, WW2. And I was able to work through all three.
K.D:.....Now THAT is just amazing. I've never knew you were such a tough woman!
M: Thank you.
K.D: Ok. Next question. What other scientists, musicians, and writers were working at the same time and in the same country as you?
M: Hmmm....*thinks* Well, there's Margaret Sanger, who helped educate people about Birth Control using 'The Pill'. And then there is also Barbara McClintock. There are a few more, though those are the only ones I can remember...
K.D: Mmhmm....I see. Question nine. What were the demographics of the United States during the time period of your work?
M:........*thinks*......In all honesty, I can't really answer that. It's just....they never really MENTIONED any demographics for WW1. I mean WW2, yes they did. They even names the giant Birthrate increase after WW2 was over the 'Baby Boomer Period'.
K.D: Oh....well I'm sorry......I guess you'll just have to answer the last question amazingly then to make up for it! *laughs*
M: *smiles* I'll try.
K.D: Final question. How was gender and class roles defined in the time frame of WW1?
M: Oh THIS I can answer. Well, gender I know for sure. Females in general were rather looked down upon. Their research, work, anything really wasn't valued. Men never thought women could be equal or even greater than them. Class role...I can't really say I know for sure about Class Role's part. Other than, we all would be in the same Class Role come the end of the war.
K.D: *nods* Well, that's it. You're free to go Mrs. Mead.
M: *gets up, stretches* Well, that was actually rather fun. We must do this again some time. *smiles, waves, walks off*
K.D: Well you heard it here folks. That was THE Margaret Mead who I just interviewed. Such a nice woman she was....Well, that's it. So long for now and have a pleasant tomorrow.
