mad men and the men who star in it

here is an interesting article, and also interpretation analysis from an older man. who has an answer on why Don Draper cheats on both his wives.





here is an IN-DEPTH analysis on his childhood background,



https://wpeckepa.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/why-don-draper-of-mad-men-cant-stop-cheating/



At the close of last night’s Mad Men Season 6 premiere, Don Draper reveals his New Year’s resolution to his latest mistress, saying “I want to stop doing this.” Sylvia, Dr. Rosen’s wife, says she knew that to be the case. However, Don’s use of pronouns, and absence of therapy sessions, paves the way for fun viewer speculation as to what exactly it is he wants to stop doing. Better still, there can be discussion about why he, apparently, lowers himself, and periodically feels twinges of guilt.

Taking a Freudian approach, delving into Don’s sketchy, but unfortunately turbulent backstory is a necessity. The women in Don’s life have been disappointing him, literally, throughout his entire life. His mother, a prostitute, died while giving birth to him. It’s difficult then to lay blame for Don’s issues at his mother’s feet because she certainly didn’t choose to abandon him; however, it was repeated to him on many occasions throughout his childhood that he was a “whore child,” so, even from beyond the grave, his mother’s character was a nuisance to him. Abigail, Don’s stepmother, must not have been so wonderful to Don either because when Don is informed of her death from stomach cancer, he says to his half brother, the bearer of that news, “Good.” Therefore, by the time he was a teenager and joined the army, Don’s positive experiences with women were likely minimal, if there were any at all.

In Betty, he found someone as childish as she is beautiful and, for a time at least, he could control her. After years of infidelity, Don finally proves to be untrustworthy when Betty learns of Don’s prior identity as Dick Whitman. The staggering truth that Don is a man Betty doesn’t know-a reality that any woman only minutely more aware than Betty is would have seen years prior-is finally too much for her to bear, and she files for divorce. Rapidly, in Don’s eyes, the best thing about Betty, her immaturity, becomes the most infuriating aspect of her personality as he tries to navigate his new life as a single father. Betty uses their children to control Don, making it increasingly difficult for him to be an effective, even loving parent. In short, Betty becomes an incredible irritant to Don, just like his mother and stepmother.

Don tells Peggy towards the close of Season 5, “You help people, and then they move on.” This was soon after Peggy had left Don’s firm where, under his tutelage, she’d learned all her advertising trade tricks, but, at that point, Don was really referencing his wife, Megan, and not really trying to impose guilt upon Peggy. He checks himself and quickly insists to Peggy that he is indeed proud of her achievements. In the case of Megan, Don was feeling duped because in his former secretary, he thought he’d found another woman he could control. But when she gets the acting bug in her, he’s combative and tries to restrict her pursuits. Turning over a new leaf, Don gives in, hopeful that he can still find comfort in someone so independent, and he lands her the gig in a commercial that his very own firm was producing."



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what do you think?



what are your analysis of the show and why he does that?

there are some good replies from that site,

here's a good commentor on it.

Kappasmith3

April 16, 2014 at 7:55 am





"I strongly dislike Don Drapers characters.. im familiar with his childhood issues however at his age he needs to somehow move forward in the newness of today. He continues to sleep around and be permiscuous and unfaithful its so frustrating as a viewers to watch him in these vicarious situations. I can’t recall which season it was that he referred to Betty Draper as a whore! Meanwhile he is sleeping with anyone who will give it up. I was baffled by his self righteous attitude referencing to him encouraging Betty to go see a therapist how hypocritical can one be? He is content with throwing the rock and hiding his hand, and I hope he reaps the harvest of his narcissistic seeds he has so diligently sown. I will be vindicated if the producers write a scene where he gets caught in the act. I will save my opinion regarding Sally Draper for another post I will however say that she needs some reinforced discipline."

QUOTE from:

https://wpeckepa.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/why-don-draper-of-mad-men-cant-stop-cheating/



although I disagree, he doesn't sleep with just anyone, but he will take the opportunity to find a secretive type that has problems with their partners. I mean he doesn't sleep with Peggy and she throws herself at him for years before that.