Dancing in the Streets audiobook cover - A History of Collective Joy

Dancing in the Streets

A History of Collective Joy

Barbara Ehrenreich

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Society & CultureHistoryPsychology

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Dancing in the Streets
Core Concept+
Evolutionary & Ancient Roots+
Christian Suppression+
Carnival & Dance Manias+
The Rise of Melancholy+
Fascist Spectacles+
Rock and Roll Rebellion+
Conclusion+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What term did French sociologist Émile Durkheim coin to describe the powerful, communal energy that arises during shared rituals like dance?
  • A. Collective effervescence
  • B. Communal transcendence
  • C. Peripheral synchronization
  • D. Ecstatic cohesion
Question 2 of 7
According to the text, what evolutionary advantage did early human societies gain from participating in communal dance?
  • A. It improved their physical stamina for hunting and gathering.
  • B. It served as a form of communication before spoken language was fully developed.
  • C. It functioned as a method to intimidate rival tribes and predators.
  • D. It allowed them to bond and live together in larger groups beyond small families.
Question 3 of 7
How did the official Christian church eventually attempt to manage the uncontrollable 'dance manias' that swept across Europe?
  • A. By establishing specialized medical institutions to treat the afflicted.
  • B. By institutionalizing dance through sanctioned periods of revelry like Carnival.
  • C. By excommunicating any parish priest who participated in congregational dancing.
  • D. By replacing physical dancing with silent, meditative prayer practices.
Question 4 of 7
Scholar Lionel Trilling links the rise of the 'English Malady' (melancholy) in the seventeenth century to which major societal shift?
  • A. The transition from agricultural labor to highly regimented factory work.
  • B. The rise of subjectivity and selfhood, which prioritized individual identity over collective experiences.
  • C. The decline of the Roman Empire and the subsequent loss of Dionysian rituals.
  • D. The widespread outbreak of infectious diseases that forced communities into prolonged isolation.
Question 5 of 7
Why does the author argue that fascist rallies in Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy were NOT genuine examples of collective ecstasy?
  • A. They failed to incorporate any traditional pagan or mythic symbols.
  • B. They explicitly banned the use of music and rhythmic marching.
  • C. They were highly regimented, controlled spectacles rather than spontaneous, chaotic festivals.
  • D. They were too small in scale to trigger the biological response associated with self-loss.
Question 6 of 7
According to the text, what was a primary reason why adolescent females were particularly drawn to the frenzied crowds at early rock and roll concerts?
  • A. They lacked other opportunities for communal physical participation, such as sports, which were mostly available to boys.
  • B. They were rebelling against the strict dress codes enforced by conservative schools.
  • C. They were the primary target demographic for commercialized psychedelic drugs.
  • D. They were culturally encouraged to practice African dance traditions more than their male counterparts.
Question 7 of 7
What is the overarching irony regarding the forces of Protestantism and capitalism mentioned in the text?
  • A. They promoted the very pagan rituals they officially condemned in their foundational texts.
  • B. They relied heavily on the aesthetics of collective joy to maintain political and economic control.
  • C. They funded the commercialization of rock and roll despite viewing it as a moral threat.
  • D. They helped precipitate widespread depression while simultaneously suppressing the communal dance rituals that might have offered a cure.

Dancing in the Streets — Full Chapter Overview

Dancing in the Streets Summary & Overview

Dancing in the Streets (2008) explores the deep-rooted origins of communal celebration in human biology and culture, highlighting universal elements like carnival, music-making, and dance. It reveals how such practices were integral to Western traditions – from the ancient Greek worship of Dionysus to medieval Christianity as a “danced religion”. 

Who Should Listen to Dancing in the Streets?

  • Cultural historians interested in the social and cultural evolution of civilizations
  • Social activists keen to reclaim our legacy of community and collective joy
  • Artists and performers delving into the cultural contexts of their creative practice

About the Author: Barbara Ehrenreich

Barbara Ehrenreich was an influential American author, journalist, and social critic, best known for her investigative work on social issues and economic inequality. Her landmark book, Nickel and Dimed, highlighted the struggles of low-wage workers and became a pivotal text in discussions on labor rights. Throughout her career, Ehrenreich authored over 20 books and numerous essays, consistently challenging societal norms and advocating for social justice.

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