The Presentation Of Self In Everyday Life

When considering a group of performers acting together toward a collective end, what problems may arise within the group, and how does the group resolve those issues while maintaining a favorable impression in the eyes of its observers?

What does Goffman mean by “region,” and why does he think it is necessary to divide regions into a “front” half and a “back” half?

Why does Goffman separate the “non-person” as a special case from all other persons whose performance and behavior conform to “discrepant roles”?

Goffman divides “discrepant roles” into two classes, with the first being the more commonly thought of performances and the second being the lesser acknowledged, but no less ubiquitous, performances. What is the key difference separating this first group of discrepant roles from the second? Do you think Goffman is justified in dividing them? Why or why not?

What does Goffman mean by “impression management,” and what are the key skills required by performance teams if they are to realize this activity?

Consider the passage from Simone de Beauvoir in Chapter 1. Why does Goffman cite de Beauvoir regarding the nature of performance and performativity? Moreover, how does her argument relate to Goffman’s position regarding the possibility of getting to know the individual enacting a role?

In Chapter 7 Goffman outlines the “fundamental dialectic” underlying all of our social interactions. How does Goffman define this fundamental dialectic, and what does he believe it implies about the whole of social life?

According to Goffman, how do cliques differ from teams? What role does social status play with respect to both groups?