When Kate Middleton, the daughter of English middle-class parents who have no royal blood or ancestry, stepped out for the first time on the day of her wedding with Prince William (April 29, 2011), dressed in a simple but elegant wedding dress and wearing a diamond-studded tiara (loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth, her then-future/now-current grandmother-in-law), fashion critics and cultural commentators roundly agreed that she looked beautiful, and regal rather than a commoner. Discuss the specific concepts from Goffman that help make sense of this public role/status transition/performance, making sure to discuss and apply/evaluate concepts of role performance, definition of the situation, passing, audience(s), impression management, etc.

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The Answer is Kate Middleton's public role/status transition on her wedding day can be understood through the concepts of role performance, definition of the situation, passing, audience(s), and impression management as outlined by Erving Goffman.

Firstly, Kate Middleton's role performance on her wedding day was carefully constructed to convey a sense of regality and elegance. Despite her middle-class background, she was able to embody the role of a royal through her attire, demeanor, and interactions with the public. This demonstrates Goffman's concept of role performance, where individuals act out their social roles in a way that is consistent with societal expectations.

The definition of the situation on Kate Middleton's wedding day was also carefully managed. The public and media were presented with a narrative that emphasized her transformation from a commoner to a member of the royal family. This aligns with Goffman's idea that individuals work to control the definition of the situation in order to shape how they are perceived by others.

Additionally, Kate Middleton's ability to "pass" as a royal on her wedding day is a key aspect of her public role transition. Despite her non-royal background, she was able to successfully navigate the expectations and behaviors associated with her new status. This concept of passing aligns with Goffman's ideas about individuals managing their identities and presenting themselves in a way that is consistent with their desired social roles.

The audience(s) for Kate Middleton's performance on her wedding day were varied, including the public, the media, and members of the royal family. Each of these audiences had their own expectations and interpretations of her role transition, and Kate Middleton's performance was aimed at managing these different perceptions.

Finally, Kate Middleton's public role transition can be understood through the concept of impression management. She carefully curated her appearance, behavior, and interactions in order to create a favorable impression on her wedding day. This aligns with Goffman's idea that individuals work to control the impressions they make on others in social interactions.

In conclusion, Erving Goffman's concepts of role performance, definition of the situation, passing, audience(s), and impression management provide a framework for understanding Kate Middleton's public role/status transition on her wedding day. Her ability to embody the role of a royal, manage the definition of the situation, pass as a member of the royal family, navigate different audience expectations, and carefully manage her impression all contributed to her successful transition to her new public role.

When Kate Middleton, the Daughter of English Middle-Class Parents Who