Next in line in laying my foundational theory is Canadian sociologist: Erving Goffman. His basic premise is that we as individuals all put on performances of our selves. He compares our daily face-to-face interactions with the public, and within the private, to a theatrical production: setting, script, props, costumes, cues, audience reaction. The components of our daily lives change much like scenes change; thus, where we are, what we do, say, or meet all change along with it. We merely adjust accordingly based on our needs and surroundings.
If I may tie this in to Foucault, we all probably feel the need to adjust our “performances” as we know that we are all covertly being watched and moderated. I wouldn’t be going to the grocery store in my underwear. We take social cues that one must put on clothes before leaving the house. That is what is expected of us.
Now if I were to go to a country bar in an evening gown, I may be casted some awkward glances, feel highly overdressed, and more than likely be the ridicule of the night. Though I’m not harming anyone, or participating in anything illegal, I would take the social cue that my performance be deemed a little on the socially inappropriate side and opt not to do it again. Or if I was happily walking down the street and ran into a friend, exchanged hellos, and then learned that they lost their job, I’m more inclined to change my chipper demeanor to one that is a little more solemn.
Interestingly, Goffman links some aspects of our performances to social mobility and status symbols: “…performance is ‘socialized,’ molded, and modified to fit into the understanding and expectations of the society in which it is presented”, and “The notion that a performance presents an idealized view of the situation is, of course, quite common” (35). As it seems, we tend to like to put our best foot forward. Yes, we do this because we don’t want to infringe upon someone else, or upset and disrupt them as the ‘nice’ people that we are. But, we also do this because we want to be seen in the best light possible so that we are thought to be highly esteemed and respected individuals.
Who doesn’t want to be respected? I get it. But Goffman also stated that: “…fronts tend to be selected, not created” (28). What does he mean by that? That we are all practicing self-illusion?! Makes sense…I go to a job interview, I’m professional and competent. I go to a party where my ex might be there, I make damn sure I’m looking knock-you-off-your-socks salacious.
No arguing with Goffman there, he’s called me out. I’ve selected which Sam to be, and how Sam should conduct and look during that time. My question then is while Goffman emphasizes the performance in self-illusion aspect, I turn it back to authenticity and ask which part of these performances are real, and which am I just confusing with status and social mobility?
Is idealized Sam really me?…
samvscomputer 