Traving Goffman Sociological Theory

Another example of Amy experiencing empowerment through manipulation is the scene where she was at the hospital after killing Deri. During this scene, she explains to the police what had happened to her while she went missing. After giving them her statement, she reunites with her husband, Nick Dunne, and goes home together while facing the media. After coming inside their home, Nick finds out that she murdered Deri while she was washing off Deri’s blood from her body in the shower. He plans to leave her, however discovers that she has a plan to stay as his wife for the long-term. In relation with this scene, the sociological theory that will be examined is Erving Goffman’s theory of Dramaturgy, which states that society “is conceived as a stage and individuals are seen as actors who present a show of their self.” (Dramaturgical Model) In other words, he views the world as a massive play that …show more content…
(Sparknotes) He describes the social setting as the physical place where interaction occurs. Within the social setting, there are props that the individual can use to give clues to how they want the audience to perceive them as. (Sparknotes) For appearance, Goffman explains how people’s impressions are usually built through how the individual physically looks. He expands this idea through four aspects: clothing, physical stature, race, and stereotypes. As for manner of interacting, he states that it “consists of the attitudes [individuals] convey in attempt to get others to form a certain impression.” (Sparknotes) Through interacting, individuals communicate with gestures, facial expressions, and body language. In connection with the scene, Goffman’s theory of Dramaturgy explains how Amy uses her impression management and role performance to manipulate her husband and those around