eenagers of the 1950s By: Justin Loretangeli Teenagers of the 1950s rebelled against conformity and created a basis for what teenagers are today.
Feb 22, 2016
Teenagers of the 1950s
By: Justin Loretangeli
Teenagers of the 1950s rebelled against conformity and created a basis for what teenagers are today.
The Typical 1950s Teenager• Expected to attend
college• Expected to conform
with society• Rock n’ roll• Expected to join
military• Drive ins• Television
Holden Caulfield Childish Traits
• Hypocritical• Allie’s baseball glove• Complains a lot• Thinks of Jane as
child• Visits museum
because it never changes
• Wants conformity
Holden Caulfield’s Adult Traits• Smokes• Wants to run
away• Curious about sex• Interested in Jane
and Sally• Lives away from
family
Motif: The Frozen Pond
• Half frozen over• Frozen side symbolizes childhood• Unfrozen side symbolizes adulthood• Symbolizes a struggle to become one or
other
Loss of Innocence• Growing up is loss of innocence• Jane dating Stradlater– Doesn’t like that she grew up
• Thinks of her as a child• Mad at Stradlater for Jane growing up
1950s Teenage Loss of Innocence
• Rock n’ roll rebelled conformity– Attended concerts
and bought records• Hot rod cars• Rebelling against
parents– Talking back
• Slang
My Personal View• Good to rebel against
conformity– Be yourself
• Rock n’ roll– Helped teens create an
identity• The word teenager– Gave teens a place in the
world• 1950’s– Started a basis for what
teenagers are today