Flappers Critical Analysis of \"The

Flappers

Critical Analysis of "The Damned and the Beautiful"

The Damned and the Beautiful is an epic novel that explores the impact social and cultural changes have on society at large. Paula S. Fass in a well-researched study suggests that the flaming youth of the 1920s were a 'social problem' of American culture. At least, her book makes clear that many members of society believed that youth during the 1920s were more of a problem than a solution. The author confirms her thesis by stating in the very first sentence that "youth suddenly became a social problem in the 1920s" (Fass, 1). Fass goes on to connect American youth problems with environmental and cultural problems including changes in education, "sex roles, family nurture, leisure habits, social values and behavioral norms" (Fass, 14).

Analysis of Literature

Fass suggests that for many the youth of the 1920s became a problem because they started engaging in behaviors that defied cultural norms and seemed extreme compared with the relatively calmness society had enjoyed in previous years. The experiences of youth during the 1920s including the problems facing youth were a far cry from traditional problems faced by American youth in times past.

Youth in the 1920s defied the social order that had previously been established. Fass also asserts that the "problem of youth" was not simply an "isolated phenomenon" but rather a growing and complex issue (Fass, 14). The author suggests that whereas effective solutions for youth problems were easily identified in the past, problems of the 1920s were more complicated. The problems associated with youth during the 1920s weren't limited to prostitution or neglect and exploitation.

Rather during the 1920s social theorists were not able to pinpoint exactly what the 'problem' was related to youth. Social analysts and educators debated these issues again and again with little agreement regarding youth problems. Fass comments that the problem with youth "was so broad, the discussions of social commentators in the twenties were clouded with frustration" (Fass, 14). This frustration stemmed from the idea that solutions to youth problems were inadequate or even worse, the fear that there were no solutions that could adequately address youth needs.

Fass characterizes the era as filled with "pessimism and despair" from people overwhelmed by the "magnitude of social disorder" (Fass, 15). Youth during this time were blamed when old structures and values were not adequately preserved, forcing people to re-examine those values and institutions that had led society for so many years. This is an extremely accurate observation that Fass makes throughout her book. Youth are used somewhat as a scapegoat for people to blame the vast changes occurring within society on. If youth couldn't be blamed after who could be?

Fass suggests that traditionalists believed that within youth lay the "fruit of social disorder, cultural disintegration and personal loss of coherence" (Fass, 15). They associated society as formerly stable but now shattered and felt great loss associated with this change. Progressives focused instead on the future and the ability of youth to take hold of the future and establish order and new understanding based on changing social values. Progressives who tended to look hopefully upon the youth as "blueprints for American future" were often quieted by the much louder traditionalist sensibilities which suggested that youths were a problem and to blame for social disarray (Fass, 17).

Fass does a remarkable job of pointing out how during the 1920s acute transformation was occurring within the United States. Fass uses Flappers to demonstrate the problem of youth, and shows how flappers were associated with sex, frivolity, licentiousness and the general lack of regard for order characterized by most young people at the time (Fass, 260).

Fass does not however suggest that total disorder reined supreme, pointing out that many students for example took heed of traditional social norms including the prohibition of drinking, where students recognized "a clear code of limitation on drinking" and respected them by and large (Fass, 316). However this held for only the early part of the 1920s, and social order did again begin to shift away from propriety as "youth's behavior and attitudes reflected a common unofficial standard among adults" (Fass, 316).

Most striking in this work is Fass's knowledgeable account of youth during the 1920s. The author doesn't simply make blatant statements and assume the to be correct. Rater the book appears well researched and more documentary of the events and social changes that were actually occurring during the 1920s. The book is intriguing and a worthwhile read for anyone interested in delving into the social culture of the 1920s and learning how youth's help shape and change modern culture as we know it today.

While many traditionalists of the time may have viewed youth behavior during the 1920s as indecent and problematic as Fass points out, much of the behavior exhibited then might be considered quite hip and normal today. Fass makes an interesting point noting the differences between traditionalist and progressive attitudes toward youth behavior. Today more people would likely side with progressives, feeling that the behaviors adopted by youths more reflected acceptance of the greater changes occurring in society at large.

Fass makes it clearly evident that traditionally the public has sought a scapegoat to explain unexpected behaviors or changes that dramatically modify cultural norms and social customs. These very changes began occurring during the 1920s. Youth was probably less of a problem than the traditionalists living during the time felt, but rather more of a reflection of the current state of chaos that simply existed as part of the cultural norm. Youths are much more likely to embrace change and 'go with it' than older individuals set in their ways. This undertone seems to carry through within Fass's work even if not directly stated.