Subcultures and Nonconformity Topic/Objective: Analyzing the experiences of non- conformists during the 1950’s Essential Question: Why did individuals and groups feel alienated during the 50’s? How did they respond?

Peer Evaluation What do you like? What could be improved? Why? What advertising strategies are present? How do you know? – Planned obsolescence – “Buy now, pay later” – “Belongingness”

Movies In some films actors such as James Dean (Rebel Without a Cause) display a self-confident indifference and are troubled by anger and fear Appeal to alienated outsiders and teenagers

Beat Movement Centered in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York’s Greenwich Village Social and literary nonconformity of artists, poets and writers Shun regular work and seek higher consciousness through Buddhism, music and drugs Inspires many college students Sets the stage for 1960’s counterculture

Notable Beat Artists Jack Kerouac: On the Road Allen Ginsberg: Howl William S. Burroughs: Naked Lunch Aldous Huxley: The Doors of Perception

Rock ‘n’ Roll Mix of rhythm and blues, country and pop Uniquely American music Heavy rhythms, simple melodies and lyrics about love, cars and problems of being young

Key performers Chuck Berry Little Richard Elvis Presley Bill Haley and His Comets Jerry Lee Lewis

Adult Reaction to Rock ‘n’ Roll Condemnation Believed that new music would lead to teenage delinquency and immorality Some cities banned concerts Eventually television and radio makes rock ‘n’ roll mainstreatm

The Racial Gap African-American music had inspired birth of rock ‘n’ roll Nat “King” Cole and Lena Horne (singers) and Harry Belafonte (actor) pave way for African-American representation in entertainment Explosion of creativity in jazz with Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonius Monk

The Racial Gap African-American music broadcast on separate stations Stations serve advertisers who want to reach a large African-American audience African-Americans appreciate “race radio” since they own less television sets and are not reflected in mainstream programming

“Howl” Circle words that stand out Underline key phrases 1.How would you describe the style of the poem? (2-3 sentences) 2.What are common/repeated ideas or motifs? (2-3 sentences) 3.What do YOU think the message/theme is? What does the poem reveal about the Beat Generation and its values? (3-4 sentences) 4.Draw a picture of what the poem means to you. (Extra Credit!