Review: The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life by Erving Goffman

The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life by Erving Goffman

 

Using a dramaturgical approach, Goffman studies the interactive process by/through which the self is presented, yet within the means of ordinary life situations, interactions with people and the established social systems. He asserts that these dynamics, in turn,  collaborately define, and sustain the self. In exploring this end, Goffman differentiates two types of communication in which the self is pronounced in daily routines: (1) expressions given refer to manageable verbal symbols and acts of concealment, and (2) expressions given off pertain to a variety of actorial symptomatic inclusions and expectations, and pretentious performances.  According to Goffman, the individual is both a performer and character. As the embodiment of a double personas, the individual exhibits distinct attributes.  As a performer he evokes and executes social impressions expected of him as in the case of staging a performance, whereas as a character, he is a figure, projecting traits that bear standardized meanings. Yet the character one performs and the self are intimately linked. Hence, the self and the identity he builds are function of social interaction and exchange.  Goffman conceptualizes the process of establishing social identity as “front.” The front orchestrates the suitable setting, appearance, and manner, by which social role is effected by the self.  Dramatic realization occurs when the actor achieves properly the social role and communicates the activities and characteristics as expected.  In this respect, everyone consciously and unconsciously is playing a role in the larger social establishments.  People don’t merely live but act; compose and play their chosen characteristic guise.