ANALYSIS OF NARRATIVE: NEGOTIATING OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE A CASE STUDY OF THE ELDERLY OF MOO 1, NONGWANG SUB-DISTRICT, WATTHANA NAKHON DISTRICT, SA KAEO PROVINCE

Abstract

               Narrative in the past is knowledge from experiences in life. This article presents analysis of narrative about negotiating of social structure of the elderly. It aims to reveal the effect of recalling experiences related to negotiating of social structures and to analyze social interactions that is disclosed production and reproduction in social structure. Recalling experiences are not in-depth interviews, but conversations to form narrative from the perspectives of the local people who are the elderly. In this area, there are not only accumulated problems such as drought and lack of irrigation, but also disasters in various forms. This article consists of 1) The power of analysis of narrative 2) The social structure of Moo 1, Nong Wang sub-district, Watthana Nakhon district, Sa Kaeo province 3) Self that negotiates with the social structure, 4) The problems in the area due to social mobility, 5) Strategies for finding a balanced life system of the elderly, and 6) The freedom that the elderly need: the result of negotiating with social structure. The article reveals the background of beliefs, from the times of ancestors, that greatly encourages the elderly who are struggling with the conditions of uncultivated land and social mobility problem. But still, the elderly, thus, become “stay strong”. They still have the strength to negotiate with social structure by maintaining the 12-month tradition. In other words, when the month moves, it seems to remind the elderly to return their hope. If the 12-month tradition is preserved, the offspring will return one month or another.