Mad Men Character Analysis

The contemporary values and attitudes established by a society is a malleable topic that evolves throughout history. Created by Matthew Weiner, the critically acclaimed period drama, Mad Men, follows the personal and professional life of New York advertising executive Don Draper, as he experiences the changing social mores of the United States during the 1960’s. Mad Men presents bygone values and attitudes that were once thought as commonplace during the 1960’s. The African and Jewish American characters are not held to the same standards as the majority of white characters. The value of the traditional, nuclear family and the harrowing attitude towards the life of a housewife is expressed in the show. The promiscuous and deceitful attitude

This is conveyed through the characterisation and dialogue of the housewives. During one of their frequent gossips, Francine Hanson tells Betty Draper of their new neighbour, Helen Bishop. Hanson goes on to say that their new neighbour is “divorced” with a “nine year old boy and a baby,” to which Betty looks down in pity and says “that’s awful”. Although Helen is never visible disturbed by her marital status or by the absence of a father figure for her children, society, or rather gossiping housewives, will criticise those with different and seemingly troubled family structures. Don’s disheartened facial expression shows her pity on both Bishop and her children, personifying society’s belief that a non-nuclear family structure would cause them to be at a disadvantage in life. In a contemporary western society, nuclear families are still valued, but alternative family structures, including those with a single mother, are no longer condemned to the same

The racist and anti-Semitic attitudes towards minorities mirrors the archaic white supremacist values that are no longer tolerated in a contemporary, western society. The value of the traditional, nuclear family and highlighting the harrowing attitude that comes with the monotonous lifestyle of a housewife showcases the once accepted values and attitudes. The promiscuous and deceitful attitude expressed in relationships and the patriarchal values in the workplace has showcased society’s blatant mistreatment of women. The contrast between the values and attitudes once expressed during the 1960’s era and the contemporary outlook shows how society has matured over the years, leaving an audience to question what underlying taboos could be uncovered in the