Extra credit: Goffman's Theory Analysis of The Pleasantville movie

After watching the movie, I think it contains 6 elements of Erving Goffman's theory of dramaturgy.

1) Front stage and backstage: In the movie, the characters live in a black-and-white sitcom world called Pleasantville, where everything is orderly and predictable. However, when the two main characters, David and Jennifer, are transported to this world, they begin to disrupt the established order by introducing new ideas and behaviors. They must navigate between the "front stage" of Pleasantville, where they must conform to the strict social norms of the sitcom, and the "backstage" of their own lives, where they can express their true selves.

2) Impression management: The characters in Pleasantville engage in impression management to maintain a perfect, harmonious community image. They follow strict rules of behavior and dress, and any deviation from these norms is seen as a threat to the established order.

3) Face-to-face interaction: The characters in Pleasantville communicate with each other using polite, scripted language, and any conflict or disagreement is quickly resolved neat and tidy. However, when David and Jennifer introduce new ideas and behaviors, they disrupt the established social order and cause conflict and tension.

4) The presentation of self: The characters in Pleasantville present themselves as perfect, happy, and content, but this facade begins to crack when David and Jennifer start to introduce new ideas and behaviors. The characters must confront their own prejudices and fears, and begin to express their true selves.

5) Role distance: When the characters in Pleasantville start to break away from the established social norms, they must distance themselves from their previous roles and embrace new identities. For example, the character of George, who previously played a one-dimensional role as a perfect, content husband, begins to express his own desires and interests and adopts a new identity as an artist.

6) Stigma: The concept of stigma is also present in the movie, as the characters who break away from the established social norms are seen as outsiders and rebels. They are labeled as "colored" or "different" and are ostracized by the rest of the community. However, as the movie progresses, the characters begin to embrace their differences and learn to accept each other for who they truly are.

Overall, I think "The Pleasantville" movie can be seen as a commentary on the rigid social norms of the 1950s and the need for individuality and self-expression. The characters in the movie must navigate between the established "front stage" of their society, and their own "backstage" selves, in order to create a new and more inclusive community.