(extra credit)week 4 : Reflection on Goffman’s The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life(Everyday Life class) -- LAOXINYI

 I read all of Erving Goffman's book, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. I found it both fascinating and thought-provoking. Goffman's exploration of how individuals manage self-performance in everyday social interactions feels very relevant, especially when applied to contemporary social situations.

1）Did I Find It Interesting?

Yes! Goffman takes something simple, like ordering coffee or having a conversation, and makes it feel like a performance. His ideas about Frontstage and Backstage behavior—how we manage our image in public and private spaces—really fit in with me. It’s interesting how we all play different roles depending on who’s around us and where we are, even if we seem to be just going about our day. His examples and metaphors are so easy to understand, and they made me realize how much of our lives are structured for the benefit of others. It made me see social interactions as these complex little performances, which is cool.

2）Was It Difficult?

There were definitely moments where the text felt dense. It took me a while to digest his concepts, especially when Goffman talks about how we Impression Management or the "idealized" self we present in public. Some of the academic language can be a bit much at times, so I re-read a few sections.

3）Is It a Good Book for Students of Social Sciences in the 2020s?

Absolutely.  Goffman’s ideas are still incredibly relevant, especially now that social media has made self-presentation even more prominent. We are constantly managing our public personas, whether we’re posting on Instagram, tweeting, or even just chatting in a group chat. Goffman’s concepts of self-presentation, role-playing, and impression management offer great insights into how we navigate our online and offline identities. Additionally, the way Goffman breaks down how people play different roles in different situations offers a new perspective on today’s culture of curating and presenting ourselves, especially in digital spaces. Goffman’s work remains a must-read for anyone studying sociology or media studies. His ideas about how we manage ourselves in front of others and how our roles change depending on context remain so relevant. This isn’t just about face-to-face interactions, but how we navigate public and private spaces in an increasingly connected world.

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