Essay The Use of Drugs by 1950s Artists - 4691 Words

A movement arose among the artists of 1950s America as a reaction to the times prevailing conformity and affluence whose members attempted to extract all they could from life, often in a strikingly self-destructive way. Specifically, the Beat writers and jazz musicians of the era found escape from society in drugs and fast living. But what exactly led so many to this dangerous path? Why did they choose drugs and speed to implement their rebellion? A preliminary look at the contradictions that prevailed in 1950s American society may give some insight into these artists world. At the end of World War II, American culture experienced an overhaul that ushered in a period of complacency beneath which paranoia seethed. A generation that had†¦show more content†¦Times were conducive to materialism and few seemed eager to change anything about their society. As Halberstam pointed out, it could be dangerous to alter a system that was working so well (xi). Fear of change, as well as fear of a sudden atomic death, led to anxiety within the superficially satisfied culture. This nebulous fear of change, which needed to be directed at some enemy, found sanctuary in vehement anti-Communism (McNally 95), most extremely manifested in Senator McCarthys witch hunts in the 1950s. Anxiety focused on Russia; as Allen Ginsberg facetiously wrote in America, The Russia wants to eat us alive (43). The Cold War indirectly resulting from this anxiety brought with it the constant threat of annihilation. The fearsome power of nuclear weaponry had been demonstrated against Japan and could at any time be turned against the United States, whose citizens would then serve as sitting ducks for their own destruction. As tensions mounted, preparations of sorts were made for nuclear war. Schoolchildren crawled under their desks during air raids, probably knowing at some level that they could not hide from a bomb. A shelter was set up in rural West Virginia to whic h those deemed important to rebuilding the country (including my grandfather, a Defense Department engineer) would be shuttled in theShow MoreRelatedA Perspective Of Rock And Roll s Impact On Society1653 Words   |  7 Pagesand implies how society reacted to the new revolution created by Rock ‘n roll, transforming the world into what it has become today. The music affected how people used recreational drugs, having unmarried sex, and threatened the traditional religious view points in life. The music and culture from late 1940’s through 1950’s begin the influence of rock music before it was even called rock and roll. During WW II a quarter of the American population was more mobile that it had been historically. ThisRead MoreSociology Is A Scientific Study Of Society And Human Behavior909 Words   |  4 Pagesrelated. Music changes every decade which leads to inter-generational conflicts. The music in 1950s differ drastically from the music in 2013. The style, beats, the form of publication and the types of instruments used for production has changed. Today, music is a big part of popular culture that represent the mainstream believes, perspectives, attitude and ideals which evolve over time. Around 1950s, U.S. was freshly getting off of the World War II, and racial tensions at home were still hugeRead MoreThe Influence Of The Hippie Subculture1575 Words   |  7 Pagesideology was influenced by the Hippie subculture Born from the social turmoil, and the differing opinions of people during the Vietnam War. The Hippie movement first gained traction in American Colleges and Universities. These young adults during the 1950s, are considered to be the very first pioneers of the hippie subculture. Through the youths’ rebellious nature against the main ideals of society, and the growing popularity of the hippie subculture, hippies, through the 50s up until the 80s, have managedRead MoreAnalysis Of Sonnys Blues By James Baldwin956 Words   |  4 Pagesa neighborhood in New York City that was popular for artists and writers. Baldwin befriended writer Richard Wright, which helped him land a grant that helped him cover his living expenses. Shortly after this, his essays and short stories were beginning to be published which has lead him to be known as one of the 20th century’s greatest writers. Baldwins works played a significant role in the African-American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. His stories and essays addressed issues ofRead MoreThe Beat Movement1122 Words   |  5 Pages The Beat Movement Following the conclusion of World War II, a collective of artists and authors began questioning the American Dream. In time, the ideas of this collective confronted mainstream society and ultimately led to a cultural shift, known as the Beat movement. Just as the postwar economic boom of the mid-1950s nourished American idealism, a new generation began to question the dominant materialism of American society. Although the Beat generation began on paper, through the artistry ofRead MoreEssay about Fahrenheit 451 as a Criticism of Censorship943 Words   |  4 PagesBradbury criticizes the censorship of the early 1950s by displaying these same themes in a futuristic dystopia novel called Fahrenheit 451. In the early 1950s Ray Bradbury writes this novel as an extended version of The Fireman, a short story which first appears in Galaxy magazine. He tries to show the readers how terrible censorship and mindless conformity is by writing about this in his novel.    In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury uses artificial stimulus, such as television and radioRead MoreEssay on Soul Music1493 Words   |  6 Pageswell to delivery information. Such examples can be seen in the music that developed in the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and even leading into today’s music genre. When one discusses the relationship between Soul music and the civil rights movement, it becomes a dialogue very akin to that of the chicken and the egg. The period of â€Å"Classic Soul† is that period primarily, but not exclusively referenced as the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s (Stephenson 186). This is the time frame of the American Civil Rights MovementRead More Essay on Teens - Popular Musics Impact on Youth1734 Words   |  7 PagesPopular Musics Impact on Youth Popular music and its artists have an enormous impact on our cultures youth from generation to generation. In almost any generation within the past fifty years, the behavior and beliefs of the majority of pre-teens and teens can be closely correlated with those of the popular music artists of that time. Which music was the popular music changed drastically several times between the 1950s and the present, along with the attitudes of that generationsRead More1960s Music950 Words   |  4 PagesSex, drugs and Rock and Roll, this saying goes along with the music industry like peas in a pod, but never has it had more of a literal meaning than it did in the free loving 1960s. Many of the greatest rock bands and rock artists in history were forged out of the 60s, which culminated in 1969 with a festival of peace, love and happiness in a time of war. Rock and Roll was a release from war tension in the 1960s. Many Hippies protested the Vietnam War. Many of these protests were met withRead MoreThe ‘60s: Culture and Music Essay1478 Words   |  6 Pageswas a time of rebellion and counter-culture in which the teenagers and college students were critical of government, business, religious institution and other various aspects of life. Era marked by civil rights movement, Vietnam War, environment of drug abuse and sexual freedom formed new music like: folk rock, soul and psychedelic rock. These genres starkly contrast the teen idol music of ‘50s pop mainstream. Writes John Covach; â€Å"World was exploding, and rock musicians were listening more closely