Foreign Anthropologist, Research Paper Example

Room 1—Description: The first room in the house is a bedroom, which is relatively sparsely furnished. One curious feature occasions especial mention: the walls of the room are painted in the fashion of a great mural, one that depicts a lake ringed about by snowy mountain shores. It may well be intended to represent a lake in a crater. The bed is a mattress, which appears to be of Queen size. There is no bed frame, and the mattress is folded up against the wall, having the effect of maximizing the available floor space.

The desk is a small wooden table, but of comfortable height for sitting at. The chair is an office chair of the swivel variety, very well padded and, upon trial, quite comfortable for sitting. The laptop is a Gateway, evidently well-used: many of the letters on the keyboard have been worn away. There are two lamps on the desk for illumination, both of which have long bendable necks. Two empty beer bottles are placed on the desk as well, both of which say Widmer Brothers Rotator IPA. There is also a set of small black speakers, of the kind amenable to use with a laptop. There is a small empty plate with no sign of crumbs or other stain, and a plastic pitcher and cup, both of which contain water. The bookcase is the most outstanding feature of the room other than the mural: tall, it contains many books, all of which appear to be either fantasy/sci-fi novels or history books. The closet contains men’s jeans, polo shirts, a windbreaker, a leather jacket, and the like.

Room 1—Analysis: This room appears to be the residence of a male, given the fact that the clothing is male-gendered. The styles of the clothing are relatively basic, indicating a practical approach to fashion: this is an individual with more pragmatic concerns. The desk would seem to be a work/study space, especially given the presence of the Gateway laptop, with its keyboard indicating much use. The individual may also take his leisure there on some occasions, given the presence of the two beer bottles.

The bookcase bespeaks strong interests in the fiction genres of science fiction and fantasy. This is an individual with an active inner life and a ready imagination, if his book tastes are anything to go by: works by authors such as Greg Bear, Dan Simmons, Joe Abercrombie, George R. R. Martin, and Brandon Sanderson predominate. A number of works of history are also featured, including the famous Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond, and a number of books on ancient Rome, ancient Egypt, and the like. This is evidently someone with quite scholarly interests, and probably a much higher than average level of intelligence. There are no real clues to his political or social beliefs, however.

Room 2—Description: The second room is the living room, which contains a fireplace, an entertainment stand, a coffee table, a couple of couches and a coffee table. The fireplace contains much ash in the bottom, but no fire. The entertainment stand includes a television set, Sony, a Roku box, a Nintendo gaming system, and a PS-3 gaming system. The couches are worn, but comfortable, and bestrewn with many cushions. Some of the cushions have interesting patterns, while others are plain. The coffee table has an assortment of empty cups and dishes atop it, including coffee mugs. There is a tall, ornate lamp with decorative patterns. There is also a bookcase containing a large collection of DVDs, including such television series as LOST, Family Guy, Futurama, and the Simpsons, as well as movie titles such as Borat, Batman: The Dark Knight, and the Spider-Man films.

Room 2—Analysis: This is a much-lived in living room. The occupants seem to enjoy gaming, watching television shows and movies, and frequently eat and drink here, as attested by the cups and dishes. It has already been established that one of the residents appears to be a male, but other than that it is difficult to make a determination about the genders of other users of this space, particularly since many of the movies and television shows are not especially male- or female-focused, though a few seem decidedly more male-focused.

Room 3—Description: The third room is a kitchen, which contains a refrigerator replete with a variety of craft beers. Leftovers include pizza, curry, and oatmeal, as well as a variety of sauces and other dishes I cannot identify. There is also orange juice, nearly full; a wide variety of condiments, including horseradish mustard, ketchup, relish, and olives; leafy greens; vegetables; chicken, and bread. The freezer contains frozen pasta, ice, and nothing more. The pantry contains beans, oats, canned vegetables, coffee, and peanut butter. There are many dishes in the dish-rack, including a few pots, several plates, and a number of cups and tableware. There is a collection of cooking knives in a block, though they appear to be from different sets as they do not match. The stove is well-used, with a number of grease stains, as is the oven.

Room 3—Analysis: At least one occupant of this home is a very accomplished cook, as attested by the presence of the curry and the indications that stove and oven have seen much use. The curry may indicate Southeast Asian or Indian ethnic origins. The inhabitants appear to enjoy good food, since much of the food is quite healthy and interesting. This may mean that at least one occupant is very health-conscious. The presence of the craft beer indicates that at least one occupant has high standards for beer—perhaps the occupant of room one. No occupants would appear to be unduly preoccupied with cleanliness.

Room 4—Description: The fourth room is not a room, but rather the back-yard. The back porch is cement, and it is very well-swept, with scant detritus upon it. The rest of the yard is covered with a thick carpet of fallen leaves, and a few loose branches. There are a few trees: a pair of oaks and a pine tree. There is a coal-burning barbeque, the encrusted accretions of burned grease upon the grill indicating much use. The yard is circumscribed by a wooden fence, which is showing signs of wear: it is bedecked with lichens and mosses.

Room 4—Analysis: The occupants enjoy coming out here when the weather is fair, as attested by the clean porch and the indications of use on the barbeque. They are not too concerned with the state of the rest of the yard, contributing to a picture of them as relaxed, easygoing people. They are probably more active inside the house, or out on the town, since the only part of the yard that shows much activity is the porch.

Room 5—Descriptoin: The fifth room is a garage, in which are three bicycles, hanging upon the walls, all in apparently good condition. They appear to be of adult size: none are small, of the size favorable to small children. On the left-hand side of the garage there are many tools in large racks: handyman’s or mechanic’s tools, such as wrenches, screwdrivers, and a power drill. There are a few boxes here and there, which seem to contain nothing more than some old clothes and a few well-worn books. There is also one automobile, a Toyota Corolla, which appears to be several years of age, but also in good condition: it is very clean, both inside and out.

Room 5—Analysis: There is only one car in the garage, but there are three bikes. This indicates that probably at least three people live here, but only one of them drives. And yet, none of the bikes are child-size, indicating that probably two of the occupants are adults without cars. It may be that two of the occupants are college students, who are either unable to afford cars or find them needless. The car is in good condition but appears to be at least several years old, so perhaps the person who does drive is also a college student without a great deal of money, or is simply very thrifty. At least one of the occupants is very capable with their hands, as witnessed by the tools: though stereotypically a ‘masculine’ skill, there is no rational reason it could not be a woman.

Inventory:

Room 1—Bedroom: Queen-size mattress, no bed frame. Chair and wooden desk, upon which are placed the following: laptop computer, Gateway; two lamps with bendable metal ‘necks’; two empty beer bottles, Widmer Brothers Rotator IPA; a small plate, empty; a plastic pitcher and plastic cup of water; a set of small speakers, ideal for use with laptop. Bookcase, about 10’ high, with a diverse collection of fantasy/sci-fi novels, and works of history. Closet, no doors, featuring an assortment of clothing such as jeans, polo shirts, windbreaker, and a leather jacket.

Room 2—Living Room: A fireplace, with much ash at the bottom. A television set, Sony, perched atop a wooden entertainment cabinet, in which are placed an old Nintendo gaming system, a PS-3, and a Roku box. Two couches, bestrewn with a variety of cushions. Bookcase with large selection of DVD movies. Tall, ornate lamp. Glass coffee table, with an assortment of empty cups and dishes placed upon it.

Room 3—Kitchen: Refrigerator, with: assortment of craft beers, leftover curry and rice, oatmeal, leafy greens and vegetables, chicken, few slices of pepperoni pizza, orange juice, butter, variety of condiments, bread. Frozen pasta in freezer. Pantry: beans, oats, canned vegetables, coffee, peanut butter. Dishes in dish-rack. Collection of cooking knives in block. Stove, with some grease stains. Oven, with some grease stains at bottom.

Room 4—Yard: Cement back porch, well-swept. Rest of yard bestrewn with leaves, branches. A few trees. Coal-burning barbeque, grill indicating much use. Yard is circumscribed by wooden fence, somewhat worn in appearance.

Room 5—Garage: Three bicycles hang on the walls, all apparently in good condition. Assortment of tools on large racks on the left: mechanic’s or handyman’s tools, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. A few boxes set about, contain mostly old clothes and some books. One automobile, Toyota Corolla, evidently several years old but appearing in good condition.