The Social Construction of Historical Events Through Public Dramas

Abstract

Medieval Corpus Christi pageants, community and royal public dramas, and French revolutionary demonstrations are examined in order to uncover the elements of their social construction. The elements are seen to be focus, engrossment, costuming, performer selection, scripting, performance effects and moods, and the presentation of symbols. These theatrical elements form a technology that is employed by elites when they collectively seek to symbolize power, present the status order, demand expressions of loyalty, symbolize tradition, emphasize solidarity, and engineer social and cultural change. It is concluded that the study of power effectiveness requires attention not only to legitimacy and interest satisfaction but also to the manner in which power is presented.