Erving Goffman's Dramaturgical Analysis

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Seinfeld can be analyzed through the lens of Erving Goffman's dramaturgical analysis, which views social interactions as a performance on a stage, with individuals playing different roles and presenting different selves depending on their situation and audience in front. In Seinfeld, the characters often perform different roles and present different selves depending on the situation they find themselves in, and the expectations of their audience shape their behaviour. Seinfeld is a famous American sitcom that aired from 1989 to 1998. The show follows friends' personal and professional lives, including Jerry Seinfeld, George Costanza, Elaine Benes, and Cosmo Kramer, as they navigate their daily lives in New York City. We can use Erving Goffman's …show more content…

In Seinfeld, Kramer's behaviour is often bizarre and socially unacceptable, yet it is presented humorously and entertainingly, which makes it seem acceptable to the audience. For example, Kramer frequently enters and exits Jerry's apartment without knocking or asking permission. In real life, this would be considered rude and intrusive behaviour, but in the show's context, it is presented as a quirky and endearing trait of Kramer's character. Similarly, Kramer's lack of a steady job or income is often mystified in the show. Instead of being portrayed as irresponsible or lazy, Kramer is presented as a free spirit who can live on his terms. Overall, the character of Kramer in Seinfeld is an excellent example of how Mystification can be used to challenge social norms and present unconventional behaviours in a positive …show more content…

This idea can be seen in the interactions between the characters in the show Seinfeld. Goffman, a symbolic interactionist, held that emphasizing particular players obscures crucial information. He articulated that the team served as Goffman's fundamental analytical unit rather than the individual. Any group working together to perform a single routine is called a team. He examines the interaction between the performer and the audience that came before it focused on teams. Each member depends on the others since everyone can interfere with the performance and knows that an act is being performed. A team, according to Goffman, is a form of a secret

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