Plastblommor, torra blad och crazy plant ladies: En etnologisk studie av krukväxters funktion i subjektspositionering

Sammanfattning: This paper examines how our relationship with potted plants from a class perspective can reflect different subject positions. The aim is that through interviews with houseplant owners show the function of the plant in the owners´ subject positioning. The material consists of transcribed interviews with six informants in their home. To my help to interpret the material I have been using the French cultural sociologist Pierre Bourdieu´s theories about the social space, symbolic capital and distinction, but with the British sociologist Beverley Skeggs´ interpretation and development of the concepts. Her theories on respectability and disidentification also get a significant role in the interpretation of the material. I also used the cultural anthropologist Mary Douglas´ theory of dirt and cleanliness. The result shows how the potted plant can serve as a distinction over other people and that class can be made in the view of various characteristics of plants.