Abstract
Social movements carry out extensive character work, trying to define not only their own reputations but those of other major players in their strategic arenas. Victims, villains, and heroes form the essential triad of character work, suggesting not only likely plots but also the emotions that audiences are supposed to feel for various players. Characters have been overlooked in cultural analysis, possibly because they often take visual, non-narrative forms. By focusing on characters within movements, we illuminate some cultural dilemmas that both organizers and their opponents face as they try to influence players’ reputations.
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Notes
Not all clowns are malevolent: some make people laugh by intentionally mocking other players or institutions (including the entire system of cultural meanings that make up character). Sometimes we laugh at clowns, but other times we laugh with them.
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Thanks to Anna Zhelnina for assistance, and to the Theory and Society reviewers and editors for comments.
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Jasper, J.M., Young, M. & Zuern, E. Character work in social movements. Theor Soc 47, 113–131 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11186-018-9310-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11186-018-9310-1