These pictures are of the places spoken about in This Boys Life and provide a visual framework for the memoir. FASHION Before the 1950s clothing was very reserved and did not have much to distinguish adults from teenagers. Then, teenagers began to establish their own individual identities, and one of the biggest ways they did that, was through fashion. Compare it to these days theres a big difference between teenage and adult fashion.
Guys Hair longer w/ sideburns and slicked back with grease. (greaser style) Jeans Leather jackets (collar turned up to be cool)
Girls Ponytails Pedal pushers (high-waist calf length pants), Scarves. Poodle Skirts popular because: 1) Easier dancing, being spun around letting the skirt twirled. 2) skirt was loose and free, a sign of freedom. Also, they didnt always have poodles on them. Disillusionment, frustration and social unrest? Quiet, peaceful and happy post-war lives?
OR Dun dun dun The American Dream Post War morality and fear While weve studied Death of a Salesman and Twelve Angry Men, we sort of still see the 1950s as a relatively peaceful decade despite the conflicts that occur within these texts. However, Americans spent these years moving, searching and attempting to find the happiness and tranquillity that was supposed to be for everyone after a victorious WWII. They moved from rural areas to cities and from cities to suburbs. By 1960, a third of the country's population lived in the suburbs. Similar patterns could be seen in many Western countries, including Australia. While many people were content, and this was espoused by the media, many others felt ill at ease because of the speed at which the world was changing. Searching for new ways of coping, they embraced religion, leading to a rise in branches of new religions that took America by storm. The rise in fear of a Cold War erupting sent shockwaves of fear through the population and people needed something that would provide salvation if they were to come under attack. The American Dream Post War morality and fear The major part about American society during this time is that you did NOT reveal that there was anything wrong with you, or your family, in terms of your moral choices or any particular psychological issues. After all the trauma that the Depression inflicted upon society, and the incredible amounts of loss suffered as a result of WWII, Americans desperately sought to paper over any cracks and hide potential blemishes from each other. Adults sought an age of innocence, and suburbia, with its flat, quiet, tree-lined streets, chain-link fences and perfect families would help to hide the last 20-30 years of damage done by economic and political conflict. As a result of this desire for peace and happiness, people craved rules and boundaries, with a rise in religious fervour, and, through TV, the dissemination of gender roles and the need for conformity and order. All of these values were linked with American lifestyles and patriotism, and anything against this was considered to be a part of a Communist life style. Put yourself in the teenagers and young adults of the 1950s shoes. Youve been to war, or youve grown up with war around you, and after spending your life hearing nothing of death and destruction, you start hearing about peace and love and Hooray for America. But the American Government doesnt seem to represent the things you love or care about, they want everyone to be the same while youre trying to fight for the rights of the coloured kids who youve grown up with, or youre a girl who wants to be more than just a housewife. So yeah, you get angry, and you find ways to rebel, and so starts the rebellious teenager and the ideal of teenage angst. Morality Fairly Strict Society monitored by society itself
Rebellion was not acceptable
Surge in Religion felt good indicator of Anti-Communist Added Under God to the Pledge of Allegiance
Gender Roles strongly held
Divorce? No way. A divorce meant that there was something wrong in your family. You stuck it out to keep up appearances, no matter what the circumstances.
SOCIAL CONFORMITY American workers found themselves becoming standardised Called the Organisation Man, the modern worker struggled with a loss of individualism Businesses did not want creative thinkers, rebels or anyone that would rock the boat
Despite their success, some workers questioned whether pursuing the American dream exacted too high a price, as conformity replaced individuality Pretty much describes how trends work in high school.
"Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Copyright 2012 by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Reprinted Here by Permission of Random House (US) & Penguin. All Rights Reserved.