Goffman's "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life

 Goffman's "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life"LYU YANGCHENG  2021008895




The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life" is a classic work by Goffman. Although it seems to be about "little things in daily life", its insights are very profound. I found Goffman's use of dramatic metaphors to explain how we play different roles in interpersonal relationships both interesting and illuminating. The concepts of "front stage" and "back stage" he proposed are very vivid, making us realize that each of us is constantly "performing", and behind all this there are often deep social psychological mechanisms.


For me, this book is not difficult, especially if you have a certain foundation in sociology, it is relatively easy to understand. What Goffman explored was not abstract theories, but how people manage other people's impressions of themselves in daily life and how to deal with different social occasions through role-playing. These contents are very close to real life. However, the detailed analysis is still a bit challenging, especially when discussing some subtle social behaviors, which requires in-depth understanding based on actual cases.


As for whether it is appropriate for social science students in the 2020s, I think it is very appropriate. With the development of social media and the accelerated pace of modern life, people's self-presentation and role-playing have become more and more complicated. Goffman's theory is very helpful for analyzing the "self" in modern society, especially today when we increasingly shape our own image through online platforms. This book is a must-read not only for sociology students, but also for anyone who wants to understand patterns of interpersonal interaction and social behavior.


So, I think if you are a student majoring in social sciences, this book is definitely worth reading. It can provide a new perspective to help us better understand the relationship between individuals and society in modern society.

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