THE GUIDE TO A THE GUIDE TO A 1950s 1950s

TEENAGERTEENAGER

In the following slides you will learn about the aspects in the life of a 1950s teenager; From literature to music and television,

these aspects helped define the standard 1950s teenager.

The Life of the The Life of the Average 1950’s Average 1950’s

TeenagerTeenager

Before and AfterBefore and After

Previously, Teenage boys were taught Previously, Teenage boys were taught to go to the military or find a job to to go to the military or find a job to support his familysupport his family

While teenage girls were taught to While teenage girls were taught to take care of the household. take care of the household. Marriage>Education.Marriage>Education.

In the 1950’s, teenagers were In the 1950’s, teenagers were encouraged to attend collegeencouraged to attend college

They also became more rebellious They also became more rebellious and independent and independent

Teenagers and their Spare Teenagers and their Spare Time…Time…

Play cards, dice Play cards, dice games, and games, and board gamesboard games

““sock hop” (teen sock hop” (teen club/dance)club/dance)

Drive-in moviesDrive-in movies

Bowling alleysBowling alleys

1950’s Literature1950’s Literature

Contemporary Literature:Contemporary Literature:

Science Fiction/FantasyScience Fiction/Fantasy

Beat Generation (Beatniks)Beat Generation (Beatniks)

PlaysPlays

Science FictionScience Fiction

The genre experienced a boom.The genre experienced a boom.

Due to fear of nuclear war, many books Due to fear of nuclear war, many books are set in worlds ravaged by nuclear are set in worlds ravaged by nuclear warfare.warfare.

Apocalyptic themes are also popular.Apocalyptic themes are also popular.

Examples of Science Fiction Examples of Science Fiction NovelsNovels

The Martian The Martian ChroniclesChronicles by Ray by Ray Bradbury Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451Fahrenheit 451 by by Ray Bradbury Ray Bradbury

I am LegendI am Legend by by Richard MathesonRichard Matheson

Examples of Fantasy NovelsExamples of Fantasy Novels

Lord of the RingsLord of the Rings by by J.R.R. TolkienJ.R.R. Tolkien

Chronicles of NarniaChronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewisby C.S. Lewis

Beat Generation (Beatniks)Beat Generation (Beatniks)

A group of writers that celebrate non-conformity, A group of writers that celebrate non-conformity, and anti-materialism through their writing. and anti-materialism through their writing.

Combine participation in gritty, worldly Combine participation in gritty, worldly experiences with a search for deeper spiritual experiences with a search for deeper spiritual meanings in life. meanings in life.

The writers in this group redefine the meaning of The writers in this group redefine the meaning of “beat” as “upbeat” and “beatific.”“beat” as “upbeat” and “beatific.”

BeatniksBeatniks

A term coin by the media which describes A term coin by the media which describes the stereotypical and superficial aspects of the stereotypical and superficial aspects of the literary movement. the literary movement.

Associated more with the negative side of Associated more with the negative side of this movement. this movement.

Drugs usage to enhance creativity and Drugs usage to enhance creativity and insight. insight.

Examples of Examples of Beat Generation LiteratureBeat Generation Literature

The Doors of The Doors of Perception Perception by Aldous by Aldous HuxleyHuxley

Naked Lunch Naked Lunch by by William S. Burrough William S. Burrough

HowlHowl by Allen by Allen GinsbergGinsberg

PlaysPlays

A Raisin In The SunA Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine by Lorraine HansberryHansberry

Rock N RollRock N Roll Rock N Roll evolved in late Rock N Roll evolved in late

1940s and early 1950s.1940s and early 1950s.

Early Rock N Roll bands used Early Rock N Roll bands used a piano or saxophone as the a piano or saxophone as the lead instrument, which later lead instrument, which later got replaced by guitar(s) got replaced by guitar(s) during the late 1950s.during the late 1950s.

The beat was a “Boogie The beat was a “Boogie Woogie Blues” type of rhythm Woogie Blues” type of rhythm supported by a backbeat often supported by a backbeat often provided by a snare drumprovided by a snare drum

Origin of Rock N RollOrigin of Rock N Roll

Rock N Roll can be traced back to blues songs from the 1920s Rock N Roll can be traced back to blues songs from the 1920s and country music of the 1930s.and country music of the 1930s.

Primarily originated through mixing of genres such as gospel, Primarily originated through mixing of genres such as gospel, folk and blues in Memphis, Chicago, New Orleans, Texas and folk and blues in Memphis, Chicago, New Orleans, Texas and California.California.

The creation of the phrase “Rock N Roll” is credited to Alan The creation of the phrase “Rock N Roll” is credited to Alan Freed, a disk jockey from Cleveland, Ohio. Freed, a disk jockey from Cleveland, Ohio.

““Rocking” was commonly referred to dancing, but in the 1940s Rocking” was commonly referred to dancing, but in the 1940s it became a slang word for “sex.”it became a slang word for “sex.”

““Roll” was a metaphor from medieval times meaning “having Roll” was a metaphor from medieval times meaning “having sex.”sex.”

Three Influential ArtistsThree Influential Artists

Elvis Presley

Little Richard

Buddy Holly

Elvis PresleyElvis Presley

January 8January 8thth 1935 – August 16 1935 – August 16thth 1977 1977 Nicknamed “The King of Rock N Roll”Nicknamed “The King of Rock N Roll” Famous for songs like “Hound Dog” and Famous for songs like “Hound Dog” and

“Jailhouse Rock”“Jailhouse Rock” Played entirely by ear, and could not read Played entirely by ear, and could not read

musicmusic Helps to shape music today through his Helps to shape music today through his

unique style and rhythmunique style and rhythm

Little RichardLittle Richard

Richard Wayne Penniman “Little Richard Wayne Penniman “Little Richard”Richard”

December 5December 5thth 1932 – Present 1932 – Present Mixed “Boogie Woogie,” “Gospel Music” Mixed “Boogie Woogie,” “Gospel Music”

and “Ryhthm and Blues” in his early and “Ryhthm and Blues” in his early musicmusic

Popular Albums: “Mr. Big,” “Rip It Up” Popular Albums: “Mr. Big,” “Rip It Up” and “Talkin’ ‘Bout Soul”and “Talkin’ ‘Bout Soul”

Buddy HollyBuddy Holly

September 7September 7thth 1936 – February 3 1936 – February 3rdrd 1959 1959 Influenced by Elvis PresleyInfluenced by Elvis Presley Created a band called “The Crickets”Created a band called “The Crickets” Popular for his vocal “hiccup” techniquesPopular for his vocal “hiccup” techniques Strongly influenced “The Beatles” Strongly influenced “The Beatles” Famous for songs like “Good Golly Miss Famous for songs like “Good Golly Miss

Molly,” “Lucille” and “Long Tall Sally”Molly,” “Lucille” and “Long Tall Sally”

Television and Film in Television and Film in the 1950sthe 1950s

Patrick LiouPatrick Liou

33rdrd Period Period

US HistoryUS History

Teenage trendsTeenage trends

Teenagers prefered watching movies at Teenagers prefered watching movies at cinemas because of privacycinemas because of privacy

Older people chose to stay home and Older people chose to stay home and watch televisionwatch television

Popular Actresses/ActorsPopular Actresses/Actors

Paul NewmanPaul Newman

Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe

James DeanJames Dean

Kim Novak Kim Novak

Hollywood focuses on teensHollywood focuses on teens

Movie producers Movie producers focused on a younger focused on a younger market of teenagersmarket of teenagers

High School Confidential High School Confidential Rock Around the ClockRock Around the Clock The Girl Can’t Help ItThe Girl Can’t Help It

TelevisionTelevision

Became most dominant form of mass Became most dominant form of mass communicationcommunication

What was portrayed on TV became what What was portrayed on TV became what was normalwas normal

1954 – colored TVs1954 – colored TVs

Popular TV ShowsPopular TV Shows

Sitcoms were most Sitcoms were most popularpopular

I Love LucyI Love Lucy DisneylandDisneyland The HoneymoonersThe Honeymooners Father Knows BestFather Knows Best