Social Norms

Definition

Social norms are the unwritten rules and expectations that govern the behavior of individuals within a society or group. They shape how people interact, what is considered acceptable or unacceptable, and influence individual choices and actions. In the context of Restoration tragedy, social norms play a significant role in character motivations, themes, and societal critiques presented in notable works from this period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Restoration tragedy often exposes the hypocrisy and rigid nature of social norms through its characters, revealing tensions between personal desires and societal expectations.
2. Many works from this period, such as 'The Way of the World' by William Congreve, depict characters navigating the complexities of social norms, showcasing the struggle between individual agency and societal pressures.
3. Social norms during the Restoration era were heavily influenced by class distinctions, gender roles, and moral codes, which are frequently critiqued in these tragedies.
4. The conflicts arising from adherence to or rebellion against social norms in Restoration tragedy serve to highlight the consequences of both conformity and transgression.
5. Restoration tragedies often use satire to challenge established social norms, making audiences reflect on the absurdities of their own societal structures.

Review Questions

• How do social norms influence character development and motivations in Restoration tragedies?
  • Social norms play a crucial role in shaping character development and motivations within Restoration tragedies. Characters often find themselves at odds with societal expectations, which drives their actions and decisions. For instance, the struggle to conform or rebel against these norms highlights their internal conflicts and desires, making their journeys more relatable to audiences who may recognize similar pressures in their own lives.
• Discuss how Restoration tragedies critique social norms through the lens of class and gender dynamics.
  • Restoration tragedies provide sharp critiques of social norms by examining the interplay of class and gender dynamics. Characters often face societal restrictions based on their gender or class status, leading to dramatic situations that expose the limitations imposed by these norms. For example, female characters may challenge patriarchal expectations while male characters navigate their own societal roles, highlighting the absurdities and contradictions within these established structures.
• Evaluate the impact of social norms on audience perception and response to characters' choices in Restoration tragedies.
  • Social norms significantly impact how audiences perceive and respond to characters' choices in Restoration tragedies. The audience often engages in a process of judgment based on societal expectations depicted in the narrative. When characters either conform to or defy these norms, it prompts viewers to reflect on their own values and beliefs regarding morality and behavior. This engagement can lead to a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding individual freedom versus societal constraints, making the tragedies resonate even today.

Related terms

Cultural Expectations: The shared beliefs and practices that dictate how individuals should behave within a particular culture or community.

Moral Values: The principles and standards of behavior that individuals and societies consider to be right or wrong.

Dramatic Irony: A literary device where the audience knows more about a situation than the characters, often highlighting conflicts with social norms.