Mad Men: Thinking about the Text.

1.) What is Heather Havrilesky’s main insight about Mad Men? How can you tell? Point to specific passages that reflect this conclusion.

                Heather Havrilesky’s main insight about Mad Men is of how the show portrays the emptiness or “Still Birth of the American Dream” (170) and how it demonstrates the “dissatisfaction with the ordinary that’s instilled in us.”(170 paragraph 1) She does this by giving details of the characters personality and some history showing evidence of how they move from one thing to the next and seem to repeat patterns of behavior in hopes of finding the next happiness and not really finding it. Ignoring the potential beauty of things around them looking for that dream. For example on pg. 172 she writes of how “Don appears likely to be drawn in by the same manipulative style of femininity that Betty embodied.” Despite that Don is now “free to pursue any woman he wants,”  “instead of focusing on a woman whose intellect matches his own.” She writes about how “Mad Men’s detractors often decry the empty sheen of it all, claiming that it has no soul, clearly that’s the point. The American Dream itself is a carefully packaged, soulless affair.” (pg. 175 final paragraph)

2.) How does Havrilesky establish her Authority to write about the show?

Havrilesky establishes her Authority to write about the show by showing not only her knowledge of the characters and the show but also her awareness of the history of the events and circumstances from the era of which the show is based and awareness also of what others are saying about it. In other words she “has done her homework.” (pg. 10 Everyone’s an Author.)

 3.) How does she appeal to readers emotions? Identify specific passages where she does so?

Havrilesky appeals to readers’ emotions by using words such as we and our. Incorporating her audience in a more intimate way with the subject. For example when she speaks of how the American Dream has expanded beyond its original simple concepts “into something far broader and less attainable,” she includes the reader in the idea by stating “...we’re falling short, no matter what our resources, and we pass this discontent to our offspring.” (pg.171)

4.) If you were familiar with Mad Men before you read this essay, is this an accurate description of the show and its impact on viewers? If you weren’t familiar with it, do you now understand its basic premise-and has Havrilesky made you want to watch it? Explain.

I was not familiar with Mad Men before reading Havrilesky’s essay. I simply had heard mention of its name and that it was a show on AMC. Havrilesky gave a very clear insight into what the show was about and provided enough information and examples to help me understand the concept of the show. Even though I now understand the idea by the show and am intrigued by its premise, I am unlikely to watch the show anytime soon. The reason being that I tend to enjoy more adventurous/action, moving style of television.