The Case Study of Sherlock Holmes (2009) - Scholarly Commons ...

Model
My research advocates the theory that fandom can be defined by degrees and, through
the cultivation process, can be mapped and represented through a model. My research
uses Abercrombie and Longhurst‟s audience continuum (1998) as an established
foundation which to adapt and build on. While I may similarly draw on Bourdieu‟s
theoretical class system (as cited in Hills, 2002), his definition of a social hierarchy does
not suggest any movement or interaction between the classes and therefore, his theory
does not coincide with the format of Abercrombie and Longhurst‟s continuum (1998)
(see Figure 1). My proposed model, drafted before my analysis of Abercrombie and
Longhurst‟s continuum (1998), reflects a similar design (see Figure 2). Following the
transformation of a general audience viewer, to that of fan and then, due to the influence
of products and information, evolves into an educated or enamoured viewer. I therefore,
in the form of Figure 3, adapt the basic phases of my theory to replicate Abercrombie
and Longhurst‟s continuum (1998) (see Figure 1):
General Audience – Fan
Educated
Enamoured
Figure 3. Exemplar continuum of proposed fan states.
In doing so I find such a simplistic continuum does not in any way reflect the possible
complexities of cultivation, and if anything, the symbolic placement of an educated fan
positioned above an enamoured fan, implies worth. Abercrombie and Longhurst (1998)
specifically chose the format of a continuum to avoid such judgements:
Lest we be misunderstood, it is important to stress that we are not making
judgments about the relative worth of these different positions along the
continuum. In our view there is not necessarily more worth in being an
enthusiast than a consumer. (p. 141)
In my case, however, the terms used for each degree have the potential to possess
hierarchical meaning and I will therefore need to incorporate Bourdieu‟s theory (as
cited in Hills, 2002) into the practical outcome of my final model and try to establish the
value of each cultivated phase. Abercrombie and Longhurst (1998) also refer to
Moorhouse‟s model of American hot-rod enthusiasm (see Figure 4) in their explanation,
as he uses a circular format to achieve a nonjudgmental balance. “[Moorhouse] suggests
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