THE GUIDE TO A 1950s TEENAGER 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 Average 1950’s Teenager

Before and After Previously, Teenage boys were taught to go to the military or find a job to support his family While teenage girls were taught to take care of the household. Marriage>Education. In the 1950’s, teenagers were encouraged to attend college They also became more rebellious and independent

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

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

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

They also became more rebellious and independent

Teenagers and their Spare Time… Play cards, dice games, and board games “ sock hop” (teen club/dance) Drive-in movies Bowling alleys

Play cards, dice games, and board games

“ sock hop” (teen club/dance)

Drive-in movies

Bowling alleys

1950’s Literature Contemporary Literature: Science Fiction/Fantasy Beat Generation (Beatniks) Plays

Contemporary Literature:

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Beat Generation (Beatniks)

Plays

Science Fiction The genre experienced a boom. Due to fear of nuclear war, many books are set in worlds ravaged by nuclear warfare. Apocalyptic themes are also popular.

The genre experienced a boom.

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

Apocalyptic themes are also popular.

Examples of Science Fiction Novels The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury I am Legend by Richard Matheson

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

I am Legend by Richard Matheson

Examples of Fantasy Novels Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

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

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Beat Generation (Beatniks) A group of writers that celebrate non-conformity, and anti-materialism through their writing. Combine participation in gritty, worldly experiences with a search for deeper spiritual meanings in life. The writers in this group redefine the meaning of “beat” as “upbeat” and “beatific.”

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

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

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

Beatniks A term coin by the media which describes the stereotypical and superficial aspects of the literary movement. Associated more with the negative side of this movement. Drugs usage to enhance creativity and insight.

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

Associated more with the negative side of this movement.

Drugs usage to enhance creativity and insight.

Examples of Beat Generation Literature The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley Naked Lunch by William S. Burrough Howl by Allen Ginsberg

The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley

Naked Lunch by William S. Burrough

Howl by Allen Ginsberg

Plays A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

Rock N Roll Rock N Roll evolved in late 1940s and early 1950s. Early Rock N Roll bands used a piano or saxophone as the lead instrument, which later got replaced by guitar(s) during the late 1950s. The beat was a “Boogie Woogie Blues” type of rhythm supported by a backbeat often provided by a snare drum

Rock N Roll evolved in late 1940s and early 1950s.

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

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

Origin of Rock N Roll Rock N Roll can be traced back to blues songs from the 1920s and country music of the 1930s. Primarily originated through mixing of genres such as gospel, folk and blues in Memphis, Chicago, New Orleans, Texas and California. The creation of the phrase “Rock N Roll” is credited to Alan Freed, a disk jockey from Cleveland, Ohio. “ Rocking” was commonly referred to dancing, but in the 1940s it became a slang word for “sex.” “ Roll” was a metaphor from medieval times meaning “having sex.”

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

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

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

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

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

Three Influential Artists Elvis Presley Little Richard Buddy Holly

Elvis Presley January 8 th 1935 – August 16 th 1977 Nicknamed “The King of Rock N Roll” Famous for songs like “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock” Played entirely by ear, and could not read music Helps to shape music today through his unique style and rhythm

January 8 th 1935 – August 16 th 1977

Nicknamed “The King of Rock N Roll”

Famous for songs like “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock”

Played entirely by ear, and could not read music

Helps to shape music today through his unique style and rhythm

Little Richard Richard Wayne Penniman “Little Richard” December 5 th 1932 – Present Mixed “Boogie Woogie,” “Gospel Music” and “Ryhthm and Blues” in his early music Popular Albums: “Mr. Big,” “Rip It Up” and “Talkin’ ‘Bout Soul”

Richard Wayne Penniman “Little Richard”

December 5 th 1932 – Present

Mixed “Boogie Woogie,” “Gospel Music” and “Ryhthm and Blues” in his early music

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

Buddy Holly September 7 th 1936 – February 3 rd 1959 Influenced by Elvis Presley Created a band called “The Crickets” Popular for his vocal “hiccup” techniques Strongly influenced “The Beatles” Famous for songs like “Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Lucille” and “Long Tall Sally”

September 7 th 1936 – February 3 rd 1959

Influenced by Elvis Presley

Created a band called “The Crickets”

Popular for his vocal “hiccup” techniques

Strongly influenced “The Beatles”

Famous for songs like “Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Lucille” and “Long Tall Sally”

Television and Film in the 1950s Patrick Liou 3 rd Period US History

Teenage trends Teenagers prefered watching movies at cinemas because of privacy Older people chose to stay home and watch television

Teenagers prefered watching movies at cinemas because of privacy

Older people chose to stay home and watch television

Popular Actresses/Actors Paul Newman Marilyn Monroe James Dean Kim Novak

Paul Newman

Marilyn Monroe

James Dean

Kim Novak

Hollywood focuses on teens Movie producers focused on a younger market of teenagers High School Confidential Rock Around the Clock The Girl Can’t Help It

Movie producers focused on a younger market of teenagers

High School Confidential

Rock Around the Clock

The Girl Can’t Help It

Television Became most dominant form of mass communication What was portrayed on TV became what was normal 1954 – colored TVs

Became most dominant form of mass communication

What was portrayed on TV became what was normal

1954 – colored TVs

Popular TV Shows Sitcoms were most popular I Love Lucy Disneyland The Honeymooners Father Knows Best

Sitcoms were most popular

I Love Lucy

Disneyland

The Honeymooners

Father Knows Best