The Monkey's Mask: Identity, Memory, Narrative and Voice

Identity affects education at the marrow, particularly in the areas of motivation and relevance, which both powerfully affect success at school. An understanding of identity is crucial for teachers working in culturally diverse contexts. The Monkey's Mask takes a refreshingly original look at the problem of identity in our so-called globalised, postmodern and mass-mediated times. It is based on research into the life histories of six academically successful people in their thirties who come from a range of cultural heritages. Their stories unsettle the myths surrounding culture and identity. Their voices are powerful, clear and distinctive, providing fascinating insight into what changes when we cross boundaries and borders. They show how we construct our individual identities and how certain aspects of culture and identity persist across time and space. The book highlights the need to afford a central place to autobiography and life-history in children's exploration of their world. This book will help academics, educators and policy makers to critique the current bland curriculum and provide approaches to learning which are relevant and inspiring to all school students.

About the Author :
Dr Chris Kearney teaches at Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Review :
"kearney's book is an empirical study based on interviews of six people of various ancestries who were educated in Britain. Early chapters provide a framework for making sense of concepts of cultrue and identity and include interpretive ethnographers like Clifford Geertz. Kearny (Univ. of London, UK) overvies the six life stories, then summarizes and critiques prevalent theories of culture and identigy (bounded, social constructed, post-modern, and 'storied' identities). Next is a chapter outlining methodological problems of analyzing life histories, including personal reflections on conducting the interviews. Kearney then sketches patterns the research revealed. These occurred as sets of relatioships with families, cutlrural heritage, peers, the dominant culture, mass media, and education. Final chapters offer detailed analysis of the interview data, along with insights into how the self has been constructed in the narratives of the six individuals. Kearney's conclusions often contain implications for educational practice and policy: 'We need to ensure that the aim of education is to encourage the development of creative adults with a sense of purose and a voice, who think critically.' Throughout Kearney demonstrates wide knowledge of contemporary ethnographic studies, and the extensive bibliography may provide useful information to interested readers. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above."--CHOICE