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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I've wanted to read this book since I discovered Goffman as a student at Sheffield and so when I finally managed to get hold of the book I had high expectations. I must admit that I was a little disappointed. I thought the book would give me some kind of deep understanding into the psychology of public interaction but in fact it is a very sociological study. Goffman simply lists people's behaviours and then attempts to explain them.
Having said that, I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in sociology.
Having said that, I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in sociology.
Fascinating and surprisingly readable approach to social relations. Goffman's ideas are widespread in sociology and beyond these days, but it was useful to read a book-length description.
Of course, at almost 60 years old this book shows its age, but the ideas are still applicable – and where they aren't (e.g. due to changing household size, gender roles, social media, etc.) I'd love to see a contemporary analysis on Goffman's approach.
Of course, at almost 60 years old this book shows its age, but the ideas are still applicable – and where they aren't (e.g. due to changing household size, gender roles, social media, etc.) I'd love to see a contemporary analysis on Goffman's approach.
slow-paced
"Our animal habits are transmitted by conscience into loyalties and duties, and we become "persons" or masks." (p.57)
"Scripts even in the hands of unpracticed players can come to life because life itself is a dramatically enacted thing." (p.72)
"There will be things he knows, or has known, that he will not be able to tell himself. This intricate maneuver of self-delusion constantly occurs.." (p.81)
"Since we all participate on teams we must all carry within ourselves something of the sweet guilt of conspirators." (p.105)
"Knowing that his audiences are capable of forming bad impressions of him, the individual may come to feel ashamed of a well-intentioned honest act merely because the context of performance provides false impressions that are bad...it is possible for all of us to become fleetingly for ourselves the worst person we can imagine others might imagine us to be." (p.236)
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
informative
medium-paced
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Forced institutionalization
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced