Social and personal values and attitudes of Newfoundland lightkeepers : a dyadic life history of a married couple

Abstract

This study considers the life history narratives of a married couple, Albert and Averil Wakeley of Centreville, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland. It was discovered that their oral autobiographical account is a portrayal defined by two major themes: work experience and family life. An examination of these themes was made, focusing on the social and personal values and attitudes featured in the Wakeleys’ narratives. -- What sets this study apart from other life histories is the fact that Albert's occupation as lightkeeper results in an overlap of work and family life that the historical nature of the job and its attendant responsibilities demands. Unlike other occupations in Newfoundland, such as fishing, mining and logging, the lightkeeping profession requires twenty-four hour attention. Elements of work pervade almost every aspect of personal life. This is particularly true for those people who work and raise their families on islands or remote regions where there is little opportunity to interact with the community. -- The examination of the themes of work experience and family life revealed social, as well as personal values and attitudes. These were also studied in relation to the uniqueness of a lightkeeper's life. Attention was paid to the cultural influences that shaped behaviour and to the dyadic nature of the couple's repertoire. Material for this study was gathered during four visits with the Wakeleys in their homes in three different locations over a period of three years. The methodology for the study consisted of tape-recorded interviews with the couple. Other sources included works on life history and personal experience narratives written by scholars in those respective areas of study. An introduction is followed by a detailed account of my collecting experiences. Chapter Three is a biographical perspective of the couple, as well as a theoretical evaluation of their life histories. The following two chapters present and analyse the Wakeleys' autobiographical narratives. Conclusions are then drawn in the last chapter. The aim of my study was to apply and expand folkloristic procedure to a subject which warrants such investigation.