First published 1990
Erving Goffman examines social encounters through the lens of theatrical performance. The sociologist demonstrates how individuals use houses, clothing, and workplace settings as props in their daily performances. He reveals how people form teams that operate like secret societies, adopting different roles while communicating outside their established characters. Goffman takes readers behind the scenes into backstage regions where people prepare their public images and decompress from social performances. The author shows in precise detail what occurs when these carefully constructed performances break down or fail entirely. This analysis builds on Goffman's earlier explorations in "Stigma" and "Asylums," offering readers a framework for understanding the theatrical nature of human interaction and the complex structures underlying everyday social encounters.
Genres: sociology, anthropology, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: analytical, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-study, social-commentary
Period: 20th-century
247 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books, Limited (UK)