According to Erving Goffman, most events involving interaction between people is a performance. It would only make sense for Goffman to use many different events as examples of this. However, that does not mean that Goffman was not being disrespectful at the same time. Rereading this paragraph, I can sense almost a dry humor here as Goffman describes this example. This humor is found in his statement that, “…since the star of the show must stay in character as someone who is in a deep sleep…” This humor can be considered insensitive, and can strike anybody the wrong way, however, the rest of the example does serve to prove a good point. In my opinion, the statement is not offensive, because let’s face it, in the context of what Goffman is explaining, it is true.
Goffman did get to a point in his example. I have alter-served many funerals before at my church. His version of how people act is correct. The collective group of people do look like they are in mourning, because let’s face it, they are in mourning! . Yes, some of the audience is probably acting along with the funeral director. They may only be there for their friends, and not affected by this man’s death in the least. And yes, he is right that the deceased person would not be running the show. Although this is known by most people, as I said earlier, he probably states this as a way of dry humor. The funeral director, or undertaker, would be running the process of the wake, funeral, and burial. This person does act solemn around the family, even though he probably is not because of his exposure to death. He is most likely running other funerals also. So yes, Goffman does give us a good example and gets his point across. Based on my experience with funerals, everything Goffman is stating is true. And yes, some of the audience is probably acting along with the funeral director. They may only be there for their friends, and not affected by this man’s death in the least.
No comments:
Post a Comment