39 pages • 1 hour read
Erving GoffmanThe Presentation Of Self In Everyday Life
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1959A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, Erving Goffman examines the ways individuals encounter and present themselves to others through "performances" while distinguishing between performers and observers. The book delves into group dynamics, modes of communication, and the techniques performers use to maintain the impression they wish to convey, ultimately suggesting that the self is a product of social interactions and performances.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Erving Goffman's The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life offers profound insights into social interactions, likening them to theatrical performances. Praised for its originality and depth, some critics find it dense and overly theoretical. Despite this, it remains a seminal text in sociology, appreciated for its thought-provoking analysis of everyday behavior.
Who Should Read The Presentation Of Self In Everyday Life?
Readers who enjoy exploring social psychology, human interactions, and identity presentation will be drawn to Erving Goffman's The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Comparable to the depth found in Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People and Irving Goffman's Stigma, this book delves into the theatrical aspects of social life, making it ideal for those intrigued by the performances people engage in daily.