Social Norms In Mad Men

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Mad Men (2007) accurately depicts the social norms and traditions of North America during the 1960s which is shown as we follow Don Draper’s work and home life unfold. Don, in the pilot episode “Smoke Gets in your Eyes,” is stressed about the advertisement for his Lucky Strikes clients and goes to Midge Daniels to get some creative suggestions but Midge, his girlfriend, already knows that the best support she can give him is sex as she implies it in several of her lines. In this scene, Mad Men uses the placement of the characters, dialogue and camera angles to present the idea that Midge’s role within this dynamic is to provide sexual relief and support to Don.
Even though Midge is not Don’s wife, Don goes to Midge only when he needs to relieve stress, specifically when he needs relief through sex. Firstly, Midge appears on the left side of Don when she is first shown and before she and Don have sex. When Midge is on Don’s left side, she implies sexual innuendoes such as “You’re lucky I’m still up working and I’m alone.” In contrast, when she appears on Don’s right side, she has a logical conversation about Don’s troubles, stating that Don will be able to solve this new problem. Although it is shown that Don needs advice with his job, …show more content…

At this moment, he is at his all time low, stating his few ideas for an advertisement: “a crush-proof box” and “three out of four dead people smoke your brand”. When Don’s face isn’t shown, the dialogue mainly consists of small talk. When his face is finally shown however, Don is sitting down while Midge is standing which shows the change of dominance and control over the conversation and a change in tone from serious with hints of flirting to full on sexual flirting. Even though Don continues to talk about his problems, he gradually becomes seduced by Midge, showing the real meaning behind his

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