Dramaturgy, Performances And An Award Winning Lack Of Coordination

What You Talking About, Goffman?

Once again, it was confirmed that Erving Goffman sure could write a lot about an aspect of social interaction I would otherwise not even consider.

This week’s lecture and reading were in regards to dramaturgy, the concept that recognises that every interaction an individual has with others is essentially a form of performance that extends from the cues provided by others, how the individual wishes to convey themself and the setting in which the interaction takes place.

I found this topic rather interesting and I could actually identify the different ‘performances’ I undertake on a regular basis, be it as a student, a friend, and a daughter. For each ‘performance’ I alter my behaviour and appearance to suit both the social expectations and the expectations I impose upon myself. I can't really make any huge criticisms about Goffman's article, other than its length, as it seemed to make sense and explain the concept in a relatively in depth way. His use of examples to illustrate the concepts was very useful in gaining an understanding of what he was actually trying to say.

Example Time!

During high school, I normally caught the bus home. For most people this was probably not much of a deal. However, when you're balance is pretty much nonexistent and you are coordinationally (is that even a word?) challenged, you're always going to have a bad time.

Yes, I was one of those people who would awkwardly run into people as the bus went around the corner, and yes, I did occasionally hit sitting people in the head with my bag and folder. As such, it was essential my 'front stage', as Goffman refers to it, remained as composed as possible. Attempting to do so meant ensuring that I did not invade the personal space of others and employ the sort of profane language that would have otherwise come so freely if it were not a public bus and I did not wish to make lack of coordination a bigger spectacle than it already was. Also, thankfully, most of the people on the bus I caught, or the 'audience' turned a blind eye to my coordination based indiscretions, allowing me to 'save face' most of the time.

Pretty much what happens to me on an average bus ride... 
although I'm female, and not often naked on public transport.

If, as Shakespeare put it, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players...", my performances on the bus on the way home from school in order to 'save face' definitely would be Oscar award winning.