Betty Draper is one of the many fan-favorite characters in Mad Men. Even though the drama show largely focuses on the lives of men in the ad business, Betty's role is integral to the story as the wife (and later ex-wife) of the series protagonist Don Draper.
Most of Betty's issues in life stem from unempathetic husbands, a rebellious daughter Sally, and the general melancholia that plagues her life. In some scenes, Betty's straightforwardness and sarcasm are also quite evident. Such characteristics of her personality are perfectly encapsulated by Mad Men fans through several memes.
Adultery And Divorce
Source: Quickmeme
Right from the first episode, the Drapers seem to lack love, given how Don constantly pursues other women sexually and romantically. Frustrated at her husband's extramarital affairs, she decides to take a step on the same road. The result is a flirtation with Henry Francis whom she eventually goes on to marry.
Hence, while it would seem hypocritical for Betty to divorce Don on grounds of him being a liar and adulterer, Don's own self-destructive attitude shows that he very much deserved what he got.
A 'Betty' Kind Of Day
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The Season 1 episode Shoot evokes the earlier signs of Betty's mid-life crisis. Sick and tired of her husband and her familial duties, she plans to get reckless for a change. This recklessness comes out during one of Betty's most iconic scenes when she shoots her neighbor's pigeons with a BB gun.
The shot of Betty holding a gun and smoking her cigarette serves as a perfect reminder to take a break every once in a while, especially if someone is having a 'Betty' kind of day.
'Go Watch TV'
Source: Mad Men Motivational Posters On Pinterest
The Drapers might just be some of the worst parents on TV. While Betty might not be as bad at parenting as Don, she too seems to harbor a lot of resentment towards her eldest child Sally. 'Go watch TV', is a dialogue that the character usually utters when she's in no mood to listen to her daughter's problems.
Moments like her grandfather's death and Betty's divorce do have a negative impact on Sally's psyche. But whenever she wishes to have a healthy conversation, she gets the same order from Betty.
The Tables Have Turned
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Even though Don is shown to care for his family, he's also very distanced from Betty as well as his kids. When he's not at the office, he's mostly slouching in front of the TV, hardly expressing any delight to talk to his wife.
Meanwhile, given the prevalent sexism of the time, Betty is always expected to fulfill her so-called 'duties' as a housewife. This meme attempts to turn the tables, reimagining a scenario in which Betty could tell Don how she really feels trapped in the house.
Don's Real Identity
Source: Quickmeme
Don Draper's real identity was arguably the biggest secret in Mad Men. When the secret is finally out to his wife, he convinces her to stay silent for his sake. And despite the issues both faced in their marriage and after, Betty did keep Don's secret.
With Henry working for the government and her resentment for Don rising with every passing day, Betty still maintained her integrity. This only goes on to show Betty's morals and how she often stuck to them.
Betty's Cancer
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By the final season, Betty's fate is left uncertain as she's shown to be suffering from terminal lung cancer. What's ironic, as this meme clearly points out, is that no one else in the show ever got the disease despite being heavy chain smokers.
Even though the exact cause of her cancer cannot be determined, Betty too had an intense smoking habit. And yet her smoking would fare lesser than the pack of cigarettes that Don Draper or Roger Sterling can finish in a day.
Betty's Drinking Habits
Source: MEME
Apart from continuous smoking, Betty's other vice was drinking. The character's signature drink was wine instead of hard liquor. But even then, her drinking got concerning to a certain extent.
Be it a social event or sitting alone at home, Betty's sole means of escapism often included puffing on a cigarette and sipping wine. So, it's obvious that if someone invited Betty and wine was off the menu, she would only sulk in displeasure.
Acting Expressions
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Along with being one of the most popular Mad Men actors, January Jones also boasts great dramatic prowess, having been nominated for multiple Emmys as Betty Draper. Although Jones can modulate her expressions accordingly, she still seems to have one classic look in many of her scenes to showcase the bland and monotonous nature of Betty's life.
The last image on this meme however funnily recalls the aforementioned 'rebellious' moment from Season 1 when Betty smokes a cigarette and lets herself loose.
Careless Parenting
Source: Meme Generator
Clearly, a couple that is not perfect together, both Betty and Don a great deal of apathy and carelessness towards their children. Rather than actually listen to Sally and Bobby's issues, Betty rages on them and resorts to her usual drinking and smoking.
At one point, it can only be presumed that maybe Betty wants to run away from any sort of parental responsibility, and maybe lead her life without any familial commitments.
'Happy Mother's Day'
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Considering that Mad Men is set in the 1960s and the 1970s, smoking was quite normalized even amongst teenagers. While Betty tries to ensure her children don't resort to such habits, she decides to go lenient on Sally one day and offers her a smoke.
It serves as an integral moment to express how Betty does love her daughter at times and is willing to open up more to her. By this episode, Sally is anyway disgusted by her father's infidelity so she too develops a soft spot for her mother. One of Sally Draper's best scenes, it would jokingly make for a perfect 'Mother's Day' card.