“Lady Sings the Blues” Bessie Smith and the “New Woman” of the 1920s

Clash of Cultures: Traditional or Modern Views of Women? Sort your cards creating one column of traditional ideas and values and another which reflects modern ideas and values about women. Be ready to defend your placement of each card with relevant and specific information from your knowledge of the 1920s.

Clash of Cultures TraditionalModern

Discussion

What were some of the events that created this modern world of the “New Woman?” Industrialization New Technology Mass production Effects Urbanization World War I Mass production = mass destruction War effort > women’s roles Effects

Bessie Smith: Icon of the “New Woman?” Born in Chattanooga, TN, in 1894, died in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1937 Escaped poverty as an entertainer Mentored by “Ma” Rainey Sang raw, country blues in plain language, expressing everyday experiences of ordinary people First recording “Down Hearted Blues sold 800,000 copies Highest paid black performer of her day. Legacy > Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin

Active Reading of Songs Sung by Bessie Smith Constructs Purpose Step behind the author Journaling/Notetaking

Active Reading Which song was written by a woman? Why? Which song was written by a man? Why? Use your cards to help support your position.

Active Listening to the Recordings How does Bessie Smith approach the music? Describe the music. Describe Bessie Smith’s voice. Is her performance more traditional or modern? Explain using the music and your knowledge of the 1920s. “She showed me the air and taught me how to fill it.” Janis Joplin

List evidence of this culture clash today