Sociology 3701: Worksheet--"Mask"

This video is based on the true story of Rocky Dennis.

1. What is medically wrong with Rocky?

2. What is people's first reaction to Rocky's appearance?

3. How has Rocky's mother, Rusty, reacted to his condition?

4. Why doesn't Dozer speak?

Sociology 3701: Groups--"Mask"

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts:

I am sixteen years old now and I dont know whtat to do and would appreciate it if you would tell me what to do. When I was a little girl it was not so bad because I got used to the kids on the block making fun of me, but now I would like to have boy friends like other girls and go out Saturday nites, but no boy will take me because I was born without a nose--although I am a pretty good dancer and have a nice shape and my father buys me pretty clothes. I sit and look at myself all day and cry. I have a big hole in the middle of my face that scares people even myself so I cant blame the boys for not wanting to take me out. My mother loves me, but she crys terrible when she looks at me.... Ought I to commit suicide?

From Miss Lonelyhearts, Nathaniel West, 1962, quoted by Goffman, Stigma, preface

1. Rocky's appearance functions as what Erving Goffman calls a stigma. How does a stigma affect a person's interactions with other people? What are the likely consequences for the identity (self-concept) of the stigmatized person?

2. How does Rocky manage to largely overcome the assumptions that other people make about him based on his stigma?
What kind of help does he get from the people around him? Do you think the movie is realistic?

3. What is the significance of the episode with the new doctor--the one who says to Rusty: "Why doesn't he wait outside. So we can talk."