Social Tropes In The 1920's
1. THESIS: The 1920’s was a decade which encapsulated the epitome of multifaceted social conflict. As modern social theory advanced, traditional Victorian values began to be questioned. Unavoidably, this clash of ideologies created a discourse which reshaped how America identified with various social tropes, including gender and race.
2. SUBTHESIS 1: Because of the clash in ideologies, many Americans began to question the validity of the “American Dream.” As a result, protests began to emerge which voiced the inner struggle of America. As minorities fought for an equal identity, extremist whites began to protest for “individual liberty,” which became a guise for preaching hateful or separatist speech.
a. The 1920’s American society was …show more content…
In his 1999 Article, “He Likes Women More Than He Likes Drinks and That Is Quite Unusual,” Randy McBee argues that Social Clubs and other commercial leisure rose in the 1920’s due to more free time within the working class. Although around in the 1890’s, Social Clubs and other forms of commercial leisure did not reach popularity until traditional Victorian values began to fade. As these activities became more popular, homosocial and heterosocial behaviors within American society began to change. Social clubs and saloons became prominent places where Americans could experience music and experiment with their sexuality. Meanwhile, McBee argues sports such as boxing and baseball appeal to modern ideas of masculinity and counter traditional societies view on homosocial bonding. For example, the Twenties became perfectly normal for men to buy each other beers or participate in bar brawls to prove their masculinity; something which would be looked down upon in the Victorian period because of the traditional belief in “self-restraint.” Additionally, it became common for groups of men to purchase small recreational rooms together for all activities non-Victorian. Like most aspects of 1920’s society, these social activities succeeded in uniting various social groups; but were not without protestors who disliked the effect which “modern” leisure had on traditional America. Although some feared this new liberation degraded society, it proved to be a continual facet of 1920’s …show more content…
SUBTHESIS 3: As popular culture rose to prominence in the 1920’s, Modern America became more closely tied to movies and other media for entertainment. Although usually harmless fun, this media became harmful to society as it reinstated traditional stereotypes which could divide society.
a. Females and lower social classes of the 1920’s sometimes embraced socially imposed objectification in hopes of later gaining personal favorability.
b. Although 1920’s media was effective at uncovering government corruption, they were equally capable of creating conflict which divided
2. SUBTHESIS 1: Because of the clash in ideologies, many Americans began to question the validity of the “American Dream.” As a result, protests began to emerge which voiced the inner struggle of America. As minorities fought for an equal identity, extremist whites began to protest for “individual liberty,” which became a guise for preaching hateful or separatist speech.
a. The 1920’s American society was …show more content…
In his 1999 Article, “He Likes Women More Than He Likes Drinks and That Is Quite Unusual,” Randy McBee argues that Social Clubs and other commercial leisure rose in the 1920’s due to more free time within the working class. Although around in the 1890’s, Social Clubs and other forms of commercial leisure did not reach popularity until traditional Victorian values began to fade. As these activities became more popular, homosocial and heterosocial behaviors within American society began to change. Social clubs and saloons became prominent places where Americans could experience music and experiment with their sexuality. Meanwhile, McBee argues sports such as boxing and baseball appeal to modern ideas of masculinity and counter traditional societies view on homosocial bonding. For example, the Twenties became perfectly normal for men to buy each other beers or participate in bar brawls to prove their masculinity; something which would be looked down upon in the Victorian period because of the traditional belief in “self-restraint.” Additionally, it became common for groups of men to purchase small recreational rooms together for all activities non-Victorian. Like most aspects of 1920’s society, these social activities succeeded in uniting various social groups; but were not without protestors who disliked the effect which “modern” leisure had on traditional America. Although some feared this new liberation degraded society, it proved to be a continual facet of 1920’s …show more content…
SUBTHESIS 3: As popular culture rose to prominence in the 1920’s, Modern America became more closely tied to movies and other media for entertainment. Although usually harmless fun, this media became harmful to society as it reinstated traditional stereotypes which could divide society.
a. Females and lower social classes of the 1920’s sometimes embraced socially imposed objectification in hopes of later gaining personal favorability.
b. Although 1920’s media was effective at uncovering government corruption, they were equally capable of creating conflict which divided