Theatre of Everyday Life: Exploring Dramaturgical Analysis

Ever feel like you’re putting on a show in your day-to-day life? That’s exactly what Erving Goffman thought when he came up with dramaturgical analysis. Imagine this: every interaction you have is a scene from a play, and you, my friend, are the lead actor. In this essay, let’s pull back the curtain on this intriguing concept and see how we’re all stars in our own everyday dramas.

Picture yourself in a typical day. At work, you’re the professional, all business and efficiency – that’s your front stage.

But when you’re home, kicking back in your pajamas? That’s your backstage, where the real you shines, away from the public eye. Goffman’s idea was simple yet revolutionary: our social life is a theatre, and we’re all playing parts depending on our audience. It’s not just about lying or being fake; it’s about adapting to different roles based on who’s watching.

Now, let’s talk about keeping up appearances, or as Goffman called it, impression management. It’s like being a director of your own play. You choose what to reveal and what to keep under wraps, all to make sure the audience (aka everyone around you) sees you in a certain light. Ever posted a picture-perfect brunch on Instagram, even though your morning was anything but? That’s impression management at its finest.

But here’s where it gets tricky – this theory suggests that our identity isn’t set in stone. Instead, it’s more fluid, changing based on where we are and who we’re with. The idea of ‘face’ comes into play here. It’s not about your literal face, but the image you want to keep up in front of others. Mess up, and you’re at risk of ‘losing face’ – like flubbing your lines on stage.

Of course, not everyone’s sold on this idea. Critics say it makes life seem too calculated, like we’re all just faking it. And sure, not every interaction is a performance. Sometimes, what you see is what you get, raw and unfiltered emotions and all.

So there you have it – a quick tour through the world of dramaturgical analysis. It’s a reminder that whether we like it or not, we’re all performers to some extent, playing roles in the grand theatre of life. Next time you find yourself switching gears from work you to home you, remember Goffman’s theory and take a bow – you might be more of an actor than you think.

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