ipl-logo

The Beat Generation: Nonconformists

194 Words1 Pages
Most Americans considered the Beat generation to be nonconformist due to their art, literature, lifestyles, and beliefs that placed them at the margins of social norms. The Beat Movement’s rejection of traditional values and acceptance of homosexuality, drug use, feminism, environmentalism, and new religions put these members outside of the mainstream of society. Although they comprised a minute part of the population, hippies represented the essence of the counter culture, and were regarded as nonconformists for the way in which they cast off typical middle class standards. Hippies pursued free love, used drugs like marijuana and LSD, wore colorful clothing and unkempt hair styles, often did not have jobs, and lacked a structured life,
Show More
Related
541 Words | 3 Pages

The Beat generation rebelled against America's conformist society. People of the Beat generation were largely anti-war and against racism. The beat generation showed itself in art such as poetry and music. The rock star Elvis Presley’s dance moves were considered vulgar by conservative mainstream society.(Doc D) The Yippies were hippies who were involved in politics in(Doc I) the Yippies were a part of some riots sparked by the assassination of

Read More
1497 Words | 6 Pages

In American culture, there is a constant state of flux in regards to what is in and what is not. In John Leland’s study, Hip: The History, these fluxes are examined in depth and are thouroughly investigated. Leland establishes that being hip is not something that can be defined by some locals hanging out in a coffee shop in a rainy city wearing combat boots and flannel but rather by centuries of cultures in what was the mxing pot of America all melding together to create a unique yet unified sound. Through his anaylsis of the Beboppers, Leland sets up a premise for Hip that had previously not been established.     To be considered hip, in modern day terms, is not someting that is commonly achieved.

Read More
739 Words | 3 Pages

Did you know that realistic fiction has 45.7 percent of the best genre chart when historical fiction only has 29.2 percent? The book "Speak" by Luarie Halse Anderson and "Milkweed" by Jerry Spinnili are two different genres. "Speak" is a realistic fiction and "Milkweed" is historical fiction. They have many differences and some small comparisons but, when it comes down to my favorite genre realistic fiction is the one. To understand why I prefer realistic fiction over historical fiction, it is necessary to take a closer look at the comparisons and differences of the setting, conflict, and theme.

Read More
1124 Words | 5 Pages

The Beat Generation wanted change because of this conformity, by rebelling against the rules and structure of society. In the text, Kesey implies that conformity is damaging because he believed that conformity and mental institutions negatively impact the patients by destroying their self-esteem, while many in the ‘50s and early ‘60s believed mental institutions helped someone become a normal member of society. In the novel, the aides constantly help the patients with simple tasks. In the beginning of the book, the Nurse orders that the aides help Chief shave, “And since it is

Read More
1423 Words | 6 Pages

Why did the Beats reject the middle class expectations of conformity? In order to fully understand and properly answer this question a reader must first define “Beats”. Beats: people or a generation that had a relaxed view towards sex, drugs, and religion; thrived on arts and culture; a sympathetic people. In Jack Kerouac's novel “On the Road” the character Sal and his friends are viewed as Beats, and in the novel Sal is living his life so that he can be satisfied, have a since of freedom, and even fall in love with all people no matter if they are poor, immigrants, or African Americans. In fact, Kerouac or Sal as he is depicted in the book rejects the expectations of middle class conformity along with all the Beats because they were dissatisfied,

Read More
1524 Words | 7 Pages

There was rock, folk music, and many more. But, in the late sixties Rock n Roll, commonly reckoned as the golden age of rock and roll when it attained a maturity unimaginable for the delinquent rebellion of the fifties, there are numerous references to the Vietnam War. The criticism of the war is submerged in or displaced by the politics of sexuality, lifestyle, and drugs. Rock music of that time period celebrated anti-materialism, spiritual awakening and social disengagement (James pg 133). Like the social movement it made possible, hippie music was ideologically and economically assimilable.

Read More
455 Words | 2 Pages

The counterculture movement known as the hippie movement had a significant influence on popular culture in various ways, including music and fashion. Hippies became a raging movement of fashion and music. Hippies promoted a simpler lifestyle which caught people's attention and soon, young stars started copying their lingo and style. Music including new styles like the Beatles became very popular at this time because it broke the status quo and the original ideas of music along with everything else the hippies did at this time. Hippies as a whole helped promote new ideas and ways of thinking and influenced the uniqueness of various pop cultures to this day.

Read More
990 Words | 4 Pages

The way society dresses today is inspired by punk rock music. Usually tight jeans, tight shirts, dark clothing, are worn by teenagers who listen to that music because they want to fit in to the “scene” or, trend (Bailey 14). One trend, in the 1960s and ‘70s, is of long, extended songs that focus more on theatric instruments than a lyrical motive. Led Zeppelin is a prominent example of that trend (Hanner Unpopular Culture: The Relationship between Punk Rock and Mainstream Society).

Read More
1090 Words | 5 Pages

In the time WW1, a wild new popular culture emerged in the United States. In part, it was a hedonistic and extravagant reaction to the hardship and austerity experienced during the war. Some have referred to it as the Roaring Twenties, while others have called it the Jazz Age. When one speaks of the Jazz Age, what comes to mind is a decade of partying, of the Charleston and jazz bands, of female flappers and loose morals, of bathtub gin and speakeasies, all combined and intertwined into a celebration of American technology and ingenuity that, over the course of a decade, provided average U.S. families the materialistic conveniences of automobiles and modern appliances. A truly remarkable chapter of American history, Jazz was the soundtrack to it and came to embody the attitude of the burgeoning counterculture.

Read More
163 Words | 1 Pages

The counter-culture era was beginning in the 1960’s. It was never more than a “minority movement” which introduced new ideas about sex, communal lifestyles, and new ideas with food, clothes, and music. The sexual aspect of the movement was in full swing as college students were taking more casual approaches to sex and birth control made their appearances. People were also starting to do drugs, such a marijuana, and LSD.

Read More
1604 Words | 7 Pages

At the end of World War II, the world saw an opening and boom of literature, self-expression and liberalism, and this was gravely manifested in the 40’s and 50’s in the United States by the Beat Movement, which later paved the road for the hippie movement. This Neo-American movement was one in which both pioneer writers and artists, primarily by white-bread, middle class background individuals, sought to notice, fight and rise up against the oppression and struggles of society as seen from their perspective. Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs laid the foundation of the Beat Movement and, along with other visionary writers and artists, forged the cornerstone of a modern American cultural movement. Burroughs shocked the world

Read More
1132 Words | 5 Pages

Cultural Impact of Rock and Roll Amidst the 1960’s Jimi Hendrix formerly stated, “Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.” A generation which was earnestly devoted to peace, protest, and revolution, the counterculture amongst the 1960’s yearned for change. Rock and roll was far beyond just a genre of music; it influenced lifestyles, protests, and attitudes, thus, kindling an awakening in the youth of American culture. The distinction between parental and youth culture was a persistent root of concern, considering that teens throughout the world found a sense of belonging in this style of music.

Read More
968 Words | 4 Pages

" Hippies took a stand against conformity. They got their name because they were "hip" or aware of what was going on in the world around them. They would show their appearance. Many went barefoot, wore bell-bottomed blue jeans and tie-dyed shirts. Both men and women had long hair.

Read More
411 Words | 2 Pages

When people do not agree with society they can create a counterculture. A counterculture is a subculture that opposes mainstream ideas and values. Transcendentalism was a counterculture from the early 19th century that went against social norms of that time. The Beat movement was also a counterculture that had many similar aspects to Transcendentalism because they both disagreed with their societies. The Beat movement was started in the 1940’s and was made famous by the many authors and poets that developed the movement with their writing.

Read More
680 Words | 3 Pages

While the generalized art form and purpose rest identical throughout societies, hip hop breeds a slightly altered presence, depending on the surrounding cultural challenges. For some individuals, such as Gabriel Teodros, hip hop sanctioned as a safe haven for alienated youth, who do not feel that they fit into societal expectations. To others, hip hop may exist as the opportunity to express concealed emotion, to fight back against societal discrimination, or merely to demonstrate their culture. As clarified, hip hop reflects a “literal level of travel,” meaning that while hip hop plainly travels from nation to nation, influencing diverse cultures and individuals, it retains a unique purpose (Macklin, 2013). Despite the hybridity of cultures, hip hop sanctions for individuals and a community to extend together, finding guidance and support in one another.

Read More

More about The Beat Generation: Nonconformists

Related Topics

Open Document