Thursday, November 14, 2019
50s Essay examples -- essays research papers
Rebellious characters lead to various actions      The 1950’s in Great Britain was a post-war era of vastly different experiences. For many, it was a time of hope, victory and promise. For others it was a time of depression and healing. And for some it was a time of rebellion. Various literary characters of the decade represented each of these emotions. Three of these characters, including Nancy Hawkins of Muriel Spark’s A Far Cry from Kensington, Jim Dixon of Amis Kingsley’s Lucky Jim, and Jimmy Porter of John Osborne’s A Look Back in Anger, represent the rebellious side of civilization in the 1950’s.      Each of these drastically different characters takes a different approach to their personal rebellion. Jim Dixon can arguably be considered an anarchist in many of the traits he exhibits throughout the text. Whether it be drinking the night away as a means of rebellion or burning the bed sheets of an over-night host, Dixon lacks certain social abilities that lead to a normal existence. Jimmy Porter on the other hand takes an extremely passive-aggressive approach to his personal rebellion. Though he complains frequently he is hard pressed to affect any kind of social evolution. In other words, he dreams of a better existence but strives to achieve none of it. Nancy Hawkins is much more active in her rebellion as she                                         von Metzke 2 subconsciously works towards social change in terms of personal happiness in the 50’s. She is free with advice and always willing to help another in need. Because of these traits, Nancy Hawkins is perhaps the best spokeswoman for her generation of these three characters.      Jim Dixon, the protagonist of Lucky Jim, is quite arguably an anarchist in the ways he acts towards others. He is considered a Cinderella in a Cinderella story as it relates to the various things that happen to him throughout the course of the text and yet he continues his private rebellion against certain aspects of life that are socially expected such as common courtesy when he burns the table and bed sheets of the Welsh’s and hides them rat... ...hange her life for the better. When she decides she is out of shape and overweight, she makes strides by only eating half of everything. This results in her rapid loss of weight. Nancy also determines she needs a change in her personal religious beliefs. She abruptly stops saying her Hail Mary’s at noon as she sees it as nothing more than a silly superstition. Regardless of the obstacle, Nancy seems ready for the challenge in this story. This is the major quality that separates her character with that of Jim Dixon and Jimmy Porter. Nancy Hawkins above all else believes in herself and that is her true rebellion against society. Nothing can keep her down if she doesn’t let it.      The greater picture being examined by these authors is how these characters relate to the era in which they are set. The 1950’s was an optimistic time filled with hope and promise for a better life than the previous decade. More so than Jim Dixon or Jimmy Porter, Nancy represents this optimism in the way she advises others, takes positive action to better her reality, and truly believes in her own potential. She greatly defines the era in question.     Â
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