Americans in Tuscany: Charity, Compassion, and Belonging (New Directions in Anthropology, 36)

Since the time of the Grand Tour, the Italian region of Tuscany has sustained a highly visible American and Anglo migrant community. Today American women continue to migrate there, many in order to marry Italian men. Confronted with experiences of social exclusion, unfamiliar family relations, and new cultural terrain, many women struggle to build local lives. In the first ethnographic monograph of Americans in Italy, Catherine Trundle argues that charity and philanthropy are the central means by which many American women negotiate a sense of migrant belonging in Italy. This book traces women’s daily acts of charity as they gave food to the poor, fundraised among the wealthy, monitored untrustworthy recipients, assessed the needy, and reflected on the emotional work that charity required. In exploring the often-ignored role of charitable action in migrant community formation, Trundle contributes to anthropological theories of gift giving, compassion, and reflexivity. Since The Time Of The Grand Tour, The Italian Region Of Tuscany Has Sustained A Highly Visible American And Anglo Migrant Community. Today American Women Continue To Migrate There, Many In Order To Marry Italian Men. Confronted With Experiences Of Social Exclusion, Unfamiliar Family Relations, And New Cultural Terrain, Many Women Struggle To Build Local Lives. In The First Ethnographic Monograph Of Americans In Italy, Catherine Trundle Argues That Charity And Philanthropy Are The Central Means By Which Many American Women Negotiate A Sense Of Migrant Belonging In Italy. This Book Traces Women--publisher's Description. Machine Generated Contents Note: Pt. I Histories Of Migration And Charity -- 1. Civilized Journey -- Pt. Ii Forging Charitable Communities -- 2. Intimate Lives And The Art Of Belonging -- 3. Food, Community And Incorporation Work -- 4. Ethical Engagement: Crafting Charitable Relations -- Pt. Iii Moral Work Of Charity -- 5. `getting The Work Done', Or An Ethos Of Disinterested Equality -- 6. Compassion And Empathy Without Understanding -- 7. Accountability, Cynicism And Hope. Catherine Trundle. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents Acknowledgements Introduction Part I HISTORIES OF MIGRATION AND CHARITY Chapter 1 A Civilized Journey Part II FORGING CHARITABLE COMMUNITIES Chapter 2 Intimate Lives and the Art of Belonging Chapter 3 Food, Community and Incorporat ion Work Chapter 4 Ethical Engagement: Crafting Charitable Relations Part III THE MORAL WORK OF CHARITY Chapter 5 ‘Getting the Work Done’, or an Ethos of Disinterested Equality Chapter 6 Compassion and Empathy without Understanding Chapter 7 Accountability, Cynicism and Hope Epilogue: Charity, Reflexivity, Belonging Notes Bibliography Index