"The Hobo Code" (S1E8) analyzes themes of identity, deception, and communication through Don Draper's flashbacks to his childhood and the symbols of the hobo code. The episode also contrasts Don's past with Peggy's professional growth, Sal's closeted homosexuality, and a confrontation between Don and Midge's beatnik friends. The hobo code's symbols represent hidden meanings & unspoken languages, connecting to the episode's central theme of how characters create, hide, and reveal their true selves. #hobocode

The hobo code, at a glance, seemed to mean a man who answered to no one and was "free" to leave & live wherever he wanted. The appeal seemed to come at a time when Don was torn by what little security he saw came from owning property & being tied down to family. But his mind was swayed by the duplicity of his father figure, who displayed an overt bitterness/resentment which spilled out into his daily interactions with others. I think this greatly influenced Don as a child, which stood in stark contrast with the peaceful & happy-go-lucky nature of the hobos—who could oblige a dishonest man, and still whistle while they walked off into the great unknown. I think Don muddled everything together, as he aspired to be free of the hate/shame but still found himself entangled in a web of secrecy that prevented him from being present with others—all of whom also tried to connect with him on their befuddled terms. We could see how Don initially resisted revealing the truth of his roots, but eventually yearned for others to accept his true identity—which failed bc of all the success he had garnered thru his fake persona. It's kind of sad how this lie blinded everyone to things that were more important to Don, whose surname has this idea of hiding by draping something over top, and Dick Whitman meaning rich white man (Richard - Rich - Rick - Dick, Whit(e) Man). We could also assume Don alludes to a mafia don, someone who has to strong-arm others in an underhanded manner in order to become successful. Maybe even the nickname Dick has connotations with how promiscuous & unfaithful he is, given how many women he beds in this series. Somehow I think Mad Men, more than most other shows, were able to encapsulate this elusiveness in our pursuit of lasting happiness. Others have noted how Don's appearance never changes with the times, while other characters change dramatically, as a signal to us that Don is spiralling down a rabbit hole of his own making by refusing to adapt to the spirit of the times—hence the title of the series, "Mad Men" who keep doing the same thing & expecting different results. We see it happen the moment Betty starts to nitpick about the kids in-front of Don, he checks out—he cannot seem to make her happy no matter how much he money he makes, which doesn't quite equate in his mind bc his childhood instability of that era during the great depression brought about worry for each day. I think that is why we see him taking Betty out to lavish dinners, yet he doesn't even attempt to make a deep connection with her, as though the very act of going out should suffice for the years of arms' length treatment. And why we see him leaving money for Midge, as a parting gift, he thinks money can buy her the happiness she is looking for; something we see him doing when his second marriage with Megan ends..

And I think he assumed his secret liaisons were kosher, since as a child he peeped thru the keyhole & saw his father having sex with other women behind his mother's back.. so it seems he associated sex as a way to avoid destroying his marriage, and also a means to keeping the peace at work without having to be unpleasant with those who don't live up to his expectations—in Don's eyes, they are entitled brats who are woefully ungrateful for the big break to work for a world-class ad agency, which btw pays them so well for their ideas. He literally says this to Peggy, when she accuses him of never thanking her, "That is what the money is for!?!!!!" We see Don reaches his breaking point, as he is exasperated by everyone's whinny attitude problems, when the whole time he had assumed their salary was enough to help them find alternate ways to plugging the hole in their heart which surprisingly remains unsatisfied—like an unquenchable fire that never says enough. It is funny how Don never once comes close to revealing his secret liaisons as proof of his brilliant solution to avoid being sucked into a whirlpool of negativity & complaints.. he just walks off with a warning look for everyone to behave themselves while he goes out to lunch with Roger Sterling for another round of debauchery.

You know I hate to say it, but I think that is why we are seeing a resurgence in the popularity of trad wives—it isn't that women are realizing the beauty in domesticity, it's that they crave security in an uncertain period, where everything shifts underfoot. It has nothing to do with being more convinced of GOD's love for us, but as the facts laid out in Psalm 78 those who temporarily put on the facade of being aligned with what GOD cares about, for the fountain of prosperity to continue flowing their way. They are driven by fear not hope, but this line is blurred by how frequently we all get scared by our mortality and surprised by the stranglehold & sheer variety of ways our personal deep seated insecurities pop-up to disrupt our sense of self.

A Mafia don, also known as the boss, is the leader of a Mafia crime family. This individual holds ultimate authority, receives a portion of all the family's earnings, and commands a structured hierarchy that includes an underboss, a consigliere, and caporegimes (lieutenants). The don may choose their successor, or in some cases, the succession is determined by a vote among the caporegimes.

Mad Men Deconstructed S1E8: The Hobo Code | Deconstructed Podcast 21/03/07

Analysis of themes

Identity and deception: The episode explores Don's lifelong struggle with his identity, mirroring the hobo code's symbols that represent hidden messages. His past trauma & present lies are central to the narrative, as he uses the hobo code's symbols to define himself while simultaneously hiding from others.

Communication and secrecy: The hobo code is a system of secret communication, which is a recurring theme throughout the episode. It is contrasted with the characters' attempts to communicate honestly with each other. Don's secret past is a major source of tension, especially in his relationship with Midge, who is unaware of his identity.

Professional and creative growth: The episode highlights Peggy's professional growth by showing how she uses her creativity to solve a problem for an account. This contrasts with Joan's more traditional approach of using sex appeal to succeed, and also showcases the gendered dynamics of the office.

Love and loneliness: Sal's storyline explores his closeted homosexuality and the loneliness that comes with it. His refusal to act on his feelings for Elliott is portrayed as a moment of great courage, but also a source of pain & isolation.

The indifference of the universe: In one of the episode's most memorable scenes, Don has a heated exchange with Midge's beatnik friends. He dismisses their views, claiming that the universe is indifferent. This is a recurring theme in the show, as the characters struggle with their place in the world and the meaning of life.

The Hobo Code is one of the best episodes of the entire show

Currently rewatching for a 3rd time, and I now see The Hobo Code as one of the best episodes in the whole show. The flashbacks of Don and the “dishonest man” bit are so clever. The scenes of him in Midge’s apartment are also phenomenal, and the final part where he tells Bobby he’ll never lie to him, whilst simultaneously lying about his entire identity is genius. I’ve heard that this episode is less popular, but I think it’s one of the best and most important of the whole show. Thoughts?

C01: It's one of my favorites, but of course that season is my favorite as well. I like how the end shot zooms in on his office door with the DONALD DRAPER filling the screen, which we have learned is not his name. I always took that as the show drawing our attention to that. It's almost Don's version of "a dishonest man lives here." We also get one of the best lines of the series, "Haven't you heard? I'm a whore child." R01: Yeah. Ironic that he says there is no big lie—yet his entire life is one giant lie.

C02: I love this episode !!! My first tattoo was the hobo code for “keep quiet” because of this episode! So clever and such an insight into the man Don/Dick becomes.. R01: My first tattoo was the dishonest man symbol!

C03: This episode breaks my heart every time I see it but I agree it’s one of the most poignant of the series

C04: My grandpa said they even tho they were dirt poor, his mother fed the railroad hoboes fresh bread any time they came to the shack. I would love the Nice Lady Lives Here cat drawing as a tattoo.

C05: Such poignant themes surrounding consumerism, death, identity, community, liberation, and honesty. Don claiming there is no system or big facade is a product of both his upbringing & his privileges—he's been forced to be self-sufficient in his life and has partially achieved it so easily by being a talented white male in the twentieth century. His journey from his impoverished life was not moral, linear, or easy—and yet he still could not comprehend the possibility that anyone could have more barriers than him. Also, "I feel like Dorothy, everything just turned to color." is one of my favorite lines in the show.