Making the Familiar Strange: Writing Critical Sports Narratives

• Published in: Sociology of sport journal 1992-03, Vol.9 (1), p.36-47
• Main Author: Foley, Douglas E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Critical Theory; Ethnography; Narratives; Realism (Philosophy); Sports
• ISSN: 0741-1235; 1543-2785
• DOI: 10.1123/ssj.9.1.36

Ethnographies of sports are generally thought to be critical if they employ a theoretical perspective that challenges conventional, mainstream views of sports. This paper contends that what makes sports ethnographies critical also depends on the narrative devices used to make such a familiar cultural practice seem strange. Various writings of postmodern ethnographers are reviewed to suggest some promising narrative experimentation that breaks with the earlier scientific realist narrative style. Some elements of a postpositivist definition of science and interpretation are also presented as the philosophical basis of these recent experimentations with narratives. Finally, the author’s own attempt to write a more experimental critical sports narrative on Texas football is contrasted to journalist H.G. Bissinger’s best-seller, Friday Night Lights . The strengths and limits of Bissinger’s “dramatic recall” narrative for creating a more reflexive text are considered. The paper concludes with some provisional suggestions for altering scientific realist narratives with what Van Maanen calls a more impressionist narrative style.