Mad World

The show Mad Men, is a show about a 1950’s Sales Executive. The main character, Don Draper, is depicted as a Caucasian Alpha Male that is clearly respected by everyone he interacts with, despite the fact that he treats people as inferior. For an instance, throughout the series, Don commits adultery and has several affairs with other women. Another example is how after a long period of time his brother finds him, and rather than treating him as a family member he gives him money and sends him away. Later on his brother ends up committing suicide and Don shows no remorse. Despite the fact that these instances occur consistently, on either a less or more extreme basis, other characters still give him their up most respect.

The fact that this television show depicts this man through a negative light and he still maintains his superior image really shows how people in positions of power aren’t really held to the same standards so the average Joe. The message almost screams out “I’M RICH AND POWERFUL, SO I CAN DO WHATEVER I”D LIKE”. Also, the fact that the main character is a white male is no coincidence to me. In fact, it only adds to the stereotypical image of how a white man in society should be dominant and powerful, and must not show weakness at any cost.  This show also says a lot about our culture, in a sense that individuality is seen as a strength and bond of marriage has lost its' once praised and magical meaning. 

Jaime S.