Dissekering av ett lokalsamhälle : En studie av sociokulturella mönster på småländsk landsbygd 1838-1845

Following essay examines the social and cultural patterns of southern rural Sweden between the years 1838-1845. The study is based on records from trials held by the district court of the district Norra Möre, which provides an insight to the everyday life in rural local community. Emphasis is put on exclusion and inclusion: the basis for community, codes for inclusion and exclusion, meaningful attributes, social and cultural capital etc. Questions concerning gender are raised as well as intents to discover whether modern ideas contrast early-modern, especially considering the process of individualization. Results show that concepts of confidence and trust were extremely valuable and possessed significant meanings. Confidence, which established itself on virtuous and honest life, created the framework for most aspects of social society: for example credibility inside and outside of court, maintenance of friendship and company, capacity of upholding a working life. Forfeit of trust, through extensive dissolute, mischievous and ill-considered way of life meant exclusion from the community and great vulnerability. Convicted criminals and alcoholics were particularly people at risk in encountering these problems due to their bad reputation and public stigma. The sources reveal little of variations between men and women. It appears as if the confidence and trust derived from the same factors: the virtuous and honest life. Unfortunately it is unsaid whether virtuousness had different meaning to men and women. Regarding the process of individualization the sources present different results: a few indicating examples exist, yet a distinct connection between individuals and collectives is tangible.