Self Image, Self Esteem, Intrapersonal Communication, Perception
Characteristics of Goffman's Dramaturgical Approach
In the episode Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (A), we see examples from Goffman's Dramaturgical Approach, which uses the metaphor of theater to explain our daily interactions (1). We are introduced to the daily life of ad man, Don Draper. We first see him alone at a club, working on ideas for a cigarette campaign. Once he leaves the club, he goes to what we presume is his girlfriend's apartment to spend the night. He goes to work at the ad agency, Sterling Cooper, attending meetings, saving a campaign at the last minute, and showing his dominance by telling Pete Campbell off for stealing and attempting to use his report. All of these activities give the impression that Don Draper is a big shot businessman who does his job well and has a thriving social life. This is how Don is perceived by most people at Sterling Cooper. According to Goffman, these interactions are considered the front stage (1). Don's behaviors are seen by those in his office and he spends a lot of time managing the impression he's making.
After this display, we are surprised (or perhaps not at all) to see Don go home to his wife and two children! The hot shot businessman and ladies' man has a family! He is a different person to them, and it is strange for the audience to see him kiss his wife and kids good night after the display of his work day that we've just witnessed. This side of Don would be considered his back stage, where he can let his guard down and not worry about the character he plays during the day (1). However, we will find out later in this season that Don has another back stage that not even Betty knows about. According to Guerrero (2011), Goffman maintained that, "we constantly enact performances geared for particular audiences, with the purpose of advancing a beneficial image of ourselves (2)." The roles, audience and context determine whether behaviors or performances are enacted in the front or back stage (1). Don plays the role of businessman, lover, husband, and father for the audiences of Sterling Cooper, his mistress, Betty, and Sally and Bobby. Regardless of context, Don is often in positions of power. At work, he is at the top of his department - giving orders and receiving respect. This scenario is also seen at home with Don as the head of the household, often telling Betty what she can and cannot do. Don is more sensitive and caring around his mistress and also with his children. When he is with his mistress, he is in a more relaxed state, changing how he acts. Don is more caring and kind around his children. (Photos: see Notes, a and b) |
Brown and Levinson's Politeness Theory
In the episode Ladies Room (B), we see examples from Brown and Levinson's Politeness Theory, which helps us understand how people manage and save face through communication (3). In this episode, Betty has been having problems with her hands going numb. She is driving down a street in the suburbs with her two children in the back seat when her hands go numb and she drives up over the curb and into someone's front yard as a result. She is in shock that this happened and later tells Don that although she is fine, she is embarrassed. Don asks her what happened and she replies "I don't know really, it all happened so fast." And then, "It's stupid (...) it was my hands, it happened again." Don then urges her to see a doctor.
Betty uses corrective facework to repair the problem by using humor - saying that it was stupid. She also uses the strategy of giving an account of what happened to explain herself and potentially save face. Don's reaction to Betty's explanation is an example of the bald on-record strategy, forcefully telling her to go see a doctor to fix this problem. According to Brown and Levinson's Politness Theory, "the bald on-record strategy is characterized by primary attention to task and little or no attention to helping the partner save face (3)." (Photo: see Notes, c) For more information on references; see Notes. |