Natural Symbols

Mary Douglas (1921-). One of the most distinguished anthropologists of modern times. Purity and Danger, another of her major works, is also available in Routledge Classics.

• 1. Away from ritual; 2. To inner experience; 3. The Bog Irish; 4. Grid and group; 5. The two bodies; 6. Test cases; 7. The problem of evil; 8. Impersonal rules; 9. Control of symbols; 10. Out of the cave

'Natural Symbols remains the book most important to understanding Mary Douglas's thought, and this fact places it amongst the most significant books of theory written by anthropologists during the twentieth century.' - Richard Fardon, SOAS'Mary Douglas's writing remains as fresh and vivid as ever. The ideas put forward in Natural Symbols have been taken up well beyond the discipline of anthropology, and should remain compulsory reading for all students of religion and society.' - Fiona Bowie, University of Bristol'Natural Symbols is clearly a major work in the greatest of sociological traditions, the Durkheimian. It has an originality unmatched for a generation among the writings of anthropologists. It raises questions that are important and soluble not in the field but by the harder, less inviting, work of reflection and analysis.' - Times Literary Supplement'As timeless as the subtitle. Essential reading for all those enthralled by her brilliant insights into the meaning of the Bible thirty years on.' - John Sawyer, Department of Religious Studies, Lancaster University