Realism in Soap Operas

By: Laura Onofrio

The soap opera is a reality based fictional genre that is constantly evolving. It has a never-ending narrative form that reflects and examines 'real' social changes through its characters. The content of modern television soaps are more realistic than some of the radio soaps that were broadcast as the problems dealt with today are more closely related to the audiences' real experiences. Through its storylines soap operas present audiences with a fictionalized representation of the social structure and social relations. The central tenet of the soap opera is that personal happiness is possible despite all the obstacles life throws us. "The social demography of the soaps, their locales and in particular the ways social status, love and romance, sickness and health, crime and violence are presented are at best a stylized representation of the real world and, at worst, reflect the continuing inequalities and disparities between races, classes and the sexes in American society (Edmondson & Rounds: 1973:69)." Audiences are able to identify with the characters and feelings expressed within the soap opera because of the 'reality based' storylines. Soap operas incorporate practical themes and concepts in their storylines and explore the social world through the emotional world of their characters. The history of the genre incorporates norms, values, and changing behavior that are a reflection and representation of what is happening in the world outside the soap opera (Hobson: 2003:109). Soap operas make the ordinary fascinating and elevate the details of everyday life to popular art.