The following is excerpted from a paper I wrote for my graduate theory course:
Critics dwell on the limitations of a metaphorical perspective. By
misinterpreting the homologous nature of the theatrical metaphor as
isomorphic, they are able to "prove" its invalidity in straw-man-esque
glee. These critics do not understand what a metaphor is. The
dramaturgical metaphor is a heuristic for interpreting reality. Life is
like theater, life is not the same as theater*. Indeed, Goffman himself
grants that:
"The claim that all the world's a stage is sufficiently
commonplace for readers to be
familiar with its limitations and tolerant of its
presentation, knowing that at any time they will
easily be able to demonstrate to themselves that it
is not to be taken too seriously." (Goffman, The Presentation of Self in
Everyday Life, 254.)
*(Brissett, Dennis and Edgley, Charles). 1990. Life as Theater: A
Dramaturgical Sourcebook. Hawthorne, NY: Aldine de Gruyter. 30-32.
*************************************************
* Anthony J. Vigorito *
* 1758 N. High St. #3 *
* Columbus, OH 43201 *
* 614-294-7831 *
* avigorit@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu *
*************************************************