7. Ritual theory and performativity.

a. Rituals are any “actions or events that have symbolic meaning beyond their instrumental value” (Robert Wuthnow.)

b. Some rituals are the result of actions made meaningful through repetition.

i. Rituals = meaningful action.

c. Performativity.

i. Language which consummates action, e.g., “I now pronounce you husband and wife” (John Austin.)

ii. Gender is socially constructed (and reconstructed) through the ongoing performance of repeated verbal and non-verbal communication (Judith Butler.)