Reflections on an Interview 11/6 Edition

I conducted my second interview this past Tuesday, November 6th with fellow saberist and coach/coach's assistant, Annika Becker. I didn't feel quite as confident going into this interview because I don't feel that I have as solid a relationship with Annika as I do with Michael, who was my first interviewee. I was, once again, though proven wrong.

We conducted the interview in the same place as the first one for the sake of piece and quiet. We commiserated about the cold in the room as we set up our folding chairs. She commented on the 'I Voted' sticker on my laptop as she looked over and signed the consent form I had for her. And just like that, I had begun my second interview.

Initially, I was a little nervous, because I felt like Annika was being a bit less open with me than Michael had been. I didn't know if I'd be able to get the honest answers and poignancy out of her that I'd gotten out of Michael. I asked her too what she was like as a child. Her answer, at first, seemed like it wouldn't be terribly useful. But as we got further into the interview, and I asked her why she started fencing, why she continues to fence, and what impact she thinks fencing has had on the rest of her life, things began to come together. She discussed fencing, and the Blackstone Valley Fencing Academy in particular, as a sort of community in which she's always felt safe and never out of place. She explained that she's always felt that she can be herself at BVFA and people will still accept and respect her for who she is.

Overall, I think this interview was great in that it acted in a very complementary manner to the first interview I conducted. Whereas Michael talked at length about why he fences and what makes fencing such an incredible and character building sport, Annika talked about the role of fencing and the Blackstone Valley Fencing Academy as a community and safe haven in her life. Between the two interviews I was able to draw two profound topics out of my informants- the idea of perfection as being a motivation and a goal in fencing, and the role of the sport as a home away from home, a place to fit in. I really, truly believe that both of these ideas, and some others that both Michael and Annika discussed, will be the cornerstones of my final product.