Character work in social movements

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 audie...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Theory and society 2018-02, Vol.47 (1), p.113-131
Main Authors: Jasper, James M., Young, Michael, Zuern, Elke
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Audiences
Characters
Emotions
Heroism & heroes
Personality
Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Social activism
Social movements
Social Sciences
Sociology
Victims
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0304-2421
1573-7853
DOI:10.1007/s11186-018-9310-1