But more importantly, there are perennial features to Mad Men, which could be adapted across eras and milieus. For example, the notion of the highly successful man coming down to rags is one such enduring theme. The shape of the characters who exhibit both camaraderie as well as competition is to be found in most social and professional relations. For instance, the manner in which the ambitious Peter Campbell attempts to circumvent Don Draper’s authority in his own subtle and sly ways illustrates this point. Though a rookie advertisement professional that has only started to learn his trade, his ambition makes him act in ways that are against team ethic and regard for higher authorities. The central and enduring themes of Mad Men are neatly captured by the following passage:
“The driving narrative is a story that endures through every generation: the high-flyer who plummets disastrously to earth. It revolves around a group of compelling characters, who are brittle yet ferociously ambitious people who ruthlessly shaft each other to get ahead. But the landscape that is so vividly painted for us extends far beyond the cut-throat culture of Madison Avenue. It is a world of tumultuous social change. Plot lines run the gamut of social issues: sexual promiscuity, racism, illegitimacy, repressed homosexuality, alcoholism, antisemitism, infertility.” (Phillips, 2010, p.17)
Works Cited
Anderson, Alan. “Why We Love Mad Men.” Review – Institute of Public Affairs Nov. 2010: 6+.
Atkinson, Michael. “In Defense of Nostalgia.” In These Times Nov. 2011: 30.
Cooke, Rachel. “The Art of Darkness: This Compelling Period Piece Is Far More Sinister Than Its Critics Have Argued.” New Statesman 16 Feb. 2009: 46.
Phillips, Melanie “The Genius of Mad Men and What It Tells Us about the Hollow Heart of Our Society Today; as a New Series of the Hit TV Show Begins .” The Daily Mail (London, England) 8 Sept. 2010: 17.
Wren, Celia. “Costume Drama: ‘MAD MEN’ ON AMC.” Commonweal 10 Oct. 2008: 17.