Coney Island: Amusing the Millions Amanda L. Wasielewski-Jennings For Dr. Mark Edwards History 142: United States since 1877 October 17, 2014 Amusing the Millions Amusing the Millions is a descriptive analysis of how Coney Island defied social norms during America’s Victorian era. The Victorian era was a time of rigid values and where societal norms for men and women were clearly defined. Coney Island was able to interrupt these stark norms by creating a looser and energetic atmosphere with rides that focused on thrills and shock. The gender gap, which during that era was very wide, was equalized on the island. Kasson describes how, at the turn of the American 19th century, the “genteel” reformer who consisted of an …show more content…
Kasson noted the most obvious aspect of this was the lack of social rigidity such as clothing. No where else was this more apparent than at the beach on the island. Bathing suits were far less restrictive than everyday attire of the year. People were able to be more relaxed and less concerned with maintaining social norms...transitioning away from an economy organized around production to one organized around consumption. Leisure had begun. P Proprietors noticed this transition and the demand being placed on amusement parks. Everyday burdens were able to be forgotten, even if for a little while. Parks quickly sprang up to accommodate this. One such park as discussed by Kasson was Steeplechase Park. It emphasized games that allowed participants to take part, without worry of social norms impeding on their fun. Luna Park was another place created at the demand of the public. Luna Park was created as a dream land, much in the same way as Coney Island was. Kasson further discusses how many of the amusements within the parks were designed to violate social norms. Luna Park became another competitor to capitalize on the public’s love of Coney Island’s fantasy world. Altogether, Coney Island summoned rejection of social norms by embracing the free spirit atmosphere; this perpetuated the public’s desire for a more exciting and exotic …show more content…
The industrial revolution was lead by the desire for leisure at a high consumption rate. Coney Island was able to satisfy the public’s demand for simultaneously offering instant gratification and pleasure while escaping everyday life. However, with all good things, they must come to and end, “as movies and radio swelled into major entertainment industries, they reinforced these consumer values and aspirations. The mass culture which had first emerged in the cities was now disseminated nationwide,” according to