Objectify Joan's Use Of Diction Patterns In Mad Men

In the episode “Babylon” from the television show Mad Men, the male characters use diction patterns that objectify Joan, and, in turn, Joan’s actions and dialogue show that she is willing to objectify herself; the emphasis on her sexuality allows Joan to gain power in the workplace.
There are many different examples of objectification throughout “Babylon”; the male character’s objectifying diction patterns displays the level of superiority men of the 60s believed they had over their female colleagues. These objectifying diction patterns the men used are often viewed as sexist/in a sexist manner. A specific example of objectification is seen in the dynamic between characters Roger Sterling and secretary Joan Holloway, who are having an office affair. This relationship is an example about how men in the workplace used their female colleagues …show more content…
Roger is slightly more of a romantic, and spends much of the episode attempting to capture and isolate Joan. Roger’s dialogue often has him comparing Joan to objects, which outlines his fantasies in which he has complete control of her. As a woman Joan may have no control in the office, but in the bedroom, it's clear what place she occupies without letting Roger realize it, allowing both of their needs to be met. In this power struggle between the two, Roger first proposes the idea of “[...] [getting] [her] [...] a little fourth floor walk up somewhere with no doors and windows and lock you up for a week.” - Roger (p.15) where she could cook for him and be there at his pleasure. He later tells Joan how he, “[...] [hates] the thought of having to share [her].” - Roger (p.42) Like a child, Roger is single minded, because he is forgetting the fact that Joan has to share him with his wife. Anytime