dramaturgy

Rewrite this old essay I did, I’ve repeated the module and need a new essay. Please add more references

Here is my original essay:

Sociological theory: Outline and assess the dramaturgical approach of Erving Goffman. In your answer you should consider how Goffman’s ideas could be applied to an everyday situation of your choice.

Erving Goffman was a 20th American sociologist, born in Canada. Goffman Had many other qualifications, however most importantly he received an MA (1949) and PhD (1953) in sociology. His works begun for him shortly after graduating when he wrote and published “The presentation of self in everyday life” in 1956. This was where dramaturgy first debuted, it was in this edition that the term was first coined and many of the relating terminology stemmed.
The dramaturgical approach is a sociological perspective in which we study the context of human behaviour under a theatrical lens. The many different aspects of human interactions are broken down into different categories similar to those we see during a dramatic performance. He believes that our ‘self’ unfolds from the scene being presented to the “audience”. This approach defines actors as the person(s) preforming, the performance as the social interaction, the stage as the environment or setting in which the interaction is occurring, the costume as the vestments worn to adhere to the social situation and the script as the form of language employed in order to align with the audience. These factors are all tools which the actor can use in order to manipulate and benefit from the social interaction.

In this Theory we stumble upon the terminology; front and backstage. These aspects are very important to the performance. The front stage is not a difficult concept. It is visible to the audience and is where all of the factors come into place to ensure a successful performance. This is a fixed presentation it is consistent and is where the actor plays out there performance. The front stage is where the actor separates the performance from their self. It is the most important part of the performance as without this the actor cannot perform their part.
The backstage is different, these are the actors’ inherent thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. This is the unfiltered version of the self. The audience do not have access to this stage. It is separate from the front stage and generally is where the actor will prepare for the performance. However Just like during a real performance, sometimes the audience accidentally accesses this. Actors may “break character” or the audience may arrive at an unexpected or unperceived moment by the actor and catch the backstage behaviour.

The front stage is where the performance takes place. There are 7 main elements that Goffman outlines with respect to this. First there is “the mask” this is the controlled framework in which the performer choses the way the audience will perceive their behaviour. This is done by acting out certain character traits and using different factors to mimic behaviours for the audience to associate with specific meanings. The performer also enhances this by using props, different locations, garments etc.
The second element is the “belief”. One must believe in what is being portrayed to fool the audience.
Next there is what the “dramatic realization”. The depiction of certain elements that the actor wants the audience to know. This is to accentuate factors of the performance, to stress its importance.
The third element Goffman identified was idealization. The performance enhances and idealizes the situation, enhancing elements of the performance to avoid the misinterpretation of information by the audience. The goal here is to adhere to the preconceived ideas the audience may have.
The fourth aspect is the “maintenance of expressive control”. To succeed in a performance the actor must stay in character. Relaying the correct message is so important here.
Misrepresentation is the next aspect of the performance. This is the fear of sending the wrong message to the audience. The performer wants their art to be seen as honest and not disingenuous.
Finally, is the mystification this is intentionally guarding information from the audience in order for their inches to be spiked or to defer certain information’s which could potentially damage the performance or its outcomes. At the end of the day the most important part of the performance is ensuring the audience believed it.

Goffman’s ideas are applicable to many everyday situations. The one that I have chosen to elaborate on is the place of work, in particular; my own. There are two front stages in my workplace and one backstage. The first front stage is the one I preform on, as a waitress for the restaurant customers. The second front stage is downstairs in the basement, where I bartend. The backstage applied for both of these situations is the same; the employee staff room, away from the eyes of both audiences left without social interaction or any inherent outside perspective.

Each factor of Goffman’s dramaturgical approach can be associated to my work. During the waitressing performance the stage remains quiet with faint music, everyone is seated, and the positive social interaction is beneficial to my performance. The audience are sitting down and tend to remain formal and polite. My costume a well-kept white shirt, ironed suit pants, black leather shoes and neat tied up hair. The script I use is friendly and proper, and my facial expressions stay simple and content. During this performance my job is to please the audience and ensure their needs are taken care of, along with providing interesting and kind social interactions for them. The mask is employed here to control their perception of me and by using the belief approach the audience is kept of any suspicion. I emphasize certain elements of the performance by using dramatic realization and idealize myself order to avoid misinterpretation. I stay in character as the need to do so is important, so I do not lose my job and steer from misrepresentation from the audience. The 7th factor of performance is very important in maintaining this front stage, pleasing the audience with mystification is essential.
In comparison is the front stage performance I adhere to while bartending. The stage is altered, here the interactions are brief and informal, a simple exchange. The audience is no longer sophisticated or seated. The script has changed aswell as my language. The mystification is different and less intense as customer satisfaction is no longer a priority, yet I need to maintain some level of this in order to complete my performance. The costume is different on this front stage; I wear jeans and a white t-shirt, and my hair can be worn in any way I wish. I mask certain aspects of my thoughts and inherent self in front of these customers, however, do not need to keep myself too much if they behave negatively unlike with waitressing. Staying in character is important to fulfill the audience’s needs.
The backstage is where I am left without perception. I break from my performance and share this self with my co-workers.

To conclude I strongly believe Goffman’s approach to social interactions here is correct. Without realizing we preform to his ideas every day and in so many other ways not mentioned. Even on social media we are alone and backstage behind our screens, yet we are aware that we are being perceived and show a specific version of ourselves tailored to the platform’s audience.

Bibliography-

Everyday Life Sociology, Adler, P., Adler, P. (1987) 217-235
https://www-jstor-org.ucd.idm.oclc.org/stable/pdf/2083247.pdf?ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A904544a8957f6b3ef40e57bf3082e0a6

Introduction To Dramaturgy, Cambridge Junction
https://www.junction.co.uk/introduction-to%E2%80%A6-dramaturgy

Dramaturgy and Social Movements: The Social Construction and Communication of Power, Benford, S., Hunt, S. (1992)
https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.ucd.idm.oclc.org/doi/10.1111/j.1475-682X.1992.tb00182.x

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