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History Post-confederation (1867-)

Make the Night Hideous

Four English-Canadian Charivaris, 1881-1940

by (author) Pauline Greenhill

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
Nov 2010
Category
Post-Confederation (1867-), Social History
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781442610156
    Publish Date
    Nov 2010
    List Price
    $37.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781442640771
    Publish Date
    Nov 2010
    List Price
    $82.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442660144
    Publish Date
    Nov 2010
    List Price
    $32.95

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Description

The charivari is a loud, late-night surprise house-visiting custom from members of a community, usually to a newlywed couple, accompanied by a quête (a request for a treat or money in exchange for the noisy performance) and/or pranks. Up to the first decades of the twentieth century, charivaris were for the most part enacted to express disapproval of the relationship that was their focus, such as those between individuals of different ages, races, or religions. While later charivaris maintained the same rituals, their meaning changed to a welcoming of the marriage.

Make the Night Hideous explores this mysterious transformation using four detailed case studies from different time periods and locations across English Canada, as well as first-person accounts of more recent charivari participants. Pauline Greenhill's unique and fascinating work explores the malleability of a tradition, its continuing value, and its contestation in a variety of discourses.

About the author

 

Pauline Greenhill is a professor at the University of Winnipeg.

 

Pauline Greenhill's profile page