From Don Draper to Peggy Olson: A Look at the Complex Characters of Mad Men
Mad Men is an American period drama television series that aired from 2007 to 2015. The show is set in the 1960s, and it focuses on the lives of the employees of the Sterling Cooper advertising agency on Madison Avenue in New York City. Mad Men features many complex characters, but none more than the two central characters: Don Draper, the enigmatic creative director, and Peggy Olson, the ambitious, determined copywriter.
Don Draper
Don Draper, played by actor Jon Hamm, is the epitome of the powerful, successful, and charismatic ad man. He is tall, dark, and handsome, with a commanding presence that demands respect. Don is known for his brilliance in advertising, his good looks, and his reputation as a womanizer.
But beneath the surface, Don is a deeply troubled man. He is haunted by his past as Dick Whitman, a poor, abused orphan who assumed a dead man’s identity during the Korean War. Don struggles with alcoholism, infidelity, and a sense of emptiness. He is a master of deception who keeps his true self hidden from everyone, including his wives, mistresses, and coworkers.
Peggy Olson
Peggy Olson, played by actress Elisabeth Moss, starts out as a timid, naïve secretary at Sterling Cooper. Over the course of the series, she rises through the ranks to become a successful copywriter in her own right. Peggy is intelligent, resourceful, and fiercely independent. She is also compassionate and empathetic, often standing up for the underdogs in the office.
Despite her success, Peggy faces many obstacles in the male-dominated world of advertising. She struggles to be taken seriously by her male colleagues, who belittle her and dismiss her ideas. She also faces sexism and harassment from her male coworkers, including Don. Peggy’s journey is about more than just her career; it’s about her struggle to find her own voice and identity in a world that tries to silence her.
The Importance of Complex Characters in Mad Men
Mad Men is a show that thrives on the complexity of its characters. Creator Matthew Weiner has said that the show is about identity and how we present ourselves to the world. Don and Peggy are both masters of this art, but they do it in very different ways. Don hides his true self behind a façade of confidence and charm. Peggy, on the other hand, struggles to find her own voice and identity in a world that wants to define her.
Mad Men is a show that delves into the complexities of human experience, exploring the ways in which we hide our true selves from the world. It’s a show that’s not afraid to take risks, and it’s all the better for it. Mad Men is a timeless classic that will continue to be analyzed and celebrated for years to come.
In conclusion, Mad Men is a show that features many complex and nuanced characters, but none more so than Don Draper and Peggy Olson. Both characters are masters of their craft, but they do it in very different ways. Don is a master of deception who hides his true self from the world, while Peggy struggles to find her own voice and identity in a world that tries to define her. Together, they make Mad Men one of the most interesting and compelling shows of all time.