The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life
By Erving Goffman
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First published 1956
Penguin
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Goffman uses the imagery of the theatre in order to
portray the importance of human social interaction. This dramaturgical analysis
approach to face-to-face social interaction likens life to the theatre; with
humans as actors on a stage, playing a variety of roles. There is a 'front
stage' region where the actors understand consciously that they are on stage
before an audience, and the 'backstage' where individuals relax and their
unconscious behaviour comes to the fore. In any social settings (front stage)
people are engaged in "impression management" presenting themselves (or
performing) and behaving in a way that be of benefit to them and fit the
situation in respect of others’ expectations. The metaphor is extended to the setting
and props. There’s also an ‘off-stage’ region where individuals meet the
audience independently of the group performance.