Babbitts and Bohemians from the Great War to the Great Depression: From the Great War to the Great Depression

Babbitts and Bohemians is a fresh and informed account of the 1920s, a decade that seems almost mythical to some. Elizabeth Stevenson finds that the true twenties was a society of contrast. On the one hand, it was an era of sameness and political conformity, but on the other hand, it was also a time of cultural revolt. In places labeled Main Street and Middletown the citizenry followed a conventional pattern. At the same time, while most of America enjoyed the good life of this period, bohemians in Greenwich Village and expatriates in Paris were fervently scornful of it.The author explores the new sense of self and the world during this period, especially evident in the writings of Sinclair Lewis, Sherwood Anderson, Robert Frost, H. L. Mencken, Glenway Wescott, William Faulkner, and others. Stevenson writes about numerous facets of the 1920s: the brilliant entertainers, Harlem's brief period of glory, the worsening conditions in the South, the hero worship of Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh, and the stockmarket crash in 1929 that brought an abrupt end to the golden years. In the new introduction, the author reflects on her personal experience and discusses how the 1920s affected her family. She goes on to talk about how living in the tumultuous 1960s prompted her to write Babbitts and Bohemians. While she concedes that there were some not so glorious times during the 1920s, she still considers it a period where the vitality of life exhibited itself in all sorts of interesting and entertaining new ways.Elizabeth Stevenson succeeds admirably in conveying the spirit and the history of the era: the people and the mood that shaped the times; the political, international, and economic apathy; the conformity and rebellion of a decade unlike any other before or since. Babbitts and Bohemians will be enjoyed by all, especially historians, sociologists, and political scientists. Babbitts and Bohemians is a fresh and informed account of the 1920s, a decade that seems almost mythical to some. Elizabeth Stevenson finds that the true twenties was a society of contrast. On the one hand, it was an era of sameness and political conformity, but on the other hand, it was also a time of cultural revolt. In places labeled Main Street and Middletown the citizenry followed a conventional pattern. At the same time, while most of America enjoyed the good life of this period, bohemians in Greenwich Village and expatriates in Paris were fervently scornful of it. The author explores the new sense of self and the world during this period, especially evident in the writings of Sinclair Lewis, Sherwood Anderson, Robert Frost, H. L. Mencken, Glenway Wescott, William Faulkner, and others. Stevenson writes about numerous facets of the 1920 the brilliant entertainers, Harlem's brief period of glory, the worsening conditions in the South, the hero worship of Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh, and the stockmarket crash in 1929 that brought an abrupt end to the golden years. In the new introduction, the author reflects on her personal experience and discusses how the 1920s affected her family. She goes on to talk about how living in the tumultuous 1960s prompted her to write Babbitts and Bohemians. While she concedes that there were some not so glorious times during the 1920s, she still considers it a period where the vitality of life exhibited itself in all sorts of interesting and entertaining new ways. Elizabeth Stevenson succeeds admirably in conveying the spirit and the history of the the people and the mood that shaped the times; the political, international, and economic apathy; the conformity and rebellion of a decade unlike any other before or since. Babbitts and Bohemians will be enjoyed by all, especially historians, sociologists, and political scientists. Babbitts And Bohemians Is A Fresh And Informed Account Of The 1920s, A Decade That Seems Almost Mythical To Some. Elizabeth Stevenson Finds That The True Twenties Was A Society Of Contrast. On The One Hand, It Was An Era Of Sameness And Political Conformity, But On The Other Hand, It Was Also A Time Of Cultural Revolt. In Places Labelled Main Street And Middletown The Citizenry Followed A Conventional Pattern. At The Same Time, While Most Of America Enjoyed The Good Life Of This Period, Bohemians In Greenwich Village And Expatriates In Paris Were Fervently Scornful Of It. The Author Explores The New Sense And The World During This Period, Especially Evident In The Writings Of Sinclair Lewis, Sherwood Anderson, Robert Frost, H. L. Mencken, Glenway Wescott, William Faulkner, And Others. Stevenson Writes About Numerous Facets Of The 1920s: The Brilliant Entertainers, Harlem's Brief Period Of Glory, The Worsening Conditions In The South, The Hero Worship Of Babe Ruth And Charles Lindbergh, And The Stockmarket Crash In 1929 That Brought An Abrupt End To The Golden Years. In The New Introduction, The Author Reflects On Her Personal Experience And Discusses How The 1920s Affected Her Family.--book Jacket. 1. Identity Of A Decade -- 2. Years Before: 1900-17 -- 3. Experience Of The War: 1914-19 -- 4. Unresolved Peace: 1918-21 -- 5. Symptoms Of The New: 1918-21 -- 6. Harding's Time: 1920-23 -- 7. Surface Solutions: 1922-23 -- 8. Sufficient Freedom: 1924 -- 9. Evolution Of The Flapper: 1920-26 -- 10. Year Nothing Happened: 1925 -- 11. How Some People Lived: 1924-27 -- 12. High Twenties: 1926-28 -- 13. Election Of Hoover: 1928-29 -- 14. Crash: 1929-32 -- 15. Libertarians: 1918-32. Elizabeth Stevenson ; With A New Introduction By The Author. Originally Published: New York : Macmillan, 1967. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 264-284) And Index. Cover -- Half Title -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Semiotics and Other Methodological Issues -- 3 Media Content Analyzed -- 4 'Ways of Seeing' Countrysides, Landscapes and Rurality -- 5 Symbolic Meanings of Place and Constructing the 'Gaze' -- 6 The Adaptation and Use of Existing Images in Place Promotion -- 7 The Role of Place in the Production of 'Uniqueness' -- 8 The Role of Place Myths in Creating Social Spaces -- 9 Conclusion -- Bibliography -- Index