One of such impacts of course included the evolution of the role of women in society. A flapper's style of dress truly symbolizes and depicts this new kind of woman that began appearing during this time. Flappers sported short skirts, makeup, had bobbed hair, and even flattened their chests. This was all done to fulfill the wish to appear youthful, energized, and full of life. Not only did the clothing and cosmetics businesses boom, so did the emergence of an attitude that would be worn just as plain as the cosmetics on the flappers' faces.
Flappers were seen to be truly daring and began acting unladylike according to the perspectives of those from older generations. Such behavior included the acts of drinking, smoking, and dancing openly and friskily. The rise of jazz music was ever so present during this time, and so did the rise of flappers dancing to such music. With this came new connections between women and their sexual image, for many flappers embraced their risqué performances. Such flapper-like actions created a new, exuberant woman with a care-free attitude. This created a true, stark difference and change of the supposed role of women in society.
It is important to realize that flappers and their actions did not aid in a momentous, glorious growth of feminist ideals. However, it did give a boost to the opportunities and abilities of women. The daring image of a woman would persist over time, allowing for events, such as a woman driving a car and women working in the same space as men, to be the norm. Women, therefore, were given the opportunity to break barriers that were ever so present decades earlier. What it meant to be a woman and what was expected of a woman went through a dramatic evolution during this portion of history. Unfortunately, the efforts made during this "flapperhood" would be put somewhat on hold, for the Great Depression would come soon after where such clothing, cosmetics, and, ultimately, the flapper attitude would be far too out of reach.
Source:
Hatton, Jackie. "Flappers." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, edited by Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast, vol. 2, St. James Press, 2000, pp. 112-113. U.S. History in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3409000869/UHIC?u=los42754&xid=7f90f543. Accessed 5 Nov. 2017.
I like the way in which you describe how Flappers were treated and how their overall actions reflected on the rest of women in society. As well as how women were able to gain rights and opportunities because of flappers that they wouldn't have had before.
ReplyDeleteThank you! For taking the time to write this post. I think its most important to talk about what they stood for, as you did in the last paragraph. How women had to do something so outrageous in those times to be able to be heard. They did what made them feel good weather that was the lack of corset or extra... The lady like image and societal rules of how a women where supposed to act was obviously rebelled against in the start of the 1900s. Good job overall this brings to light some points that are still true today that sometimes when one is oppressed in this case women they have to do things against the norm to be heard. I also believe this was a cry for women individuality. Its the first time where you see to different types of dress. Lady like and flappers (more scandalous).
ReplyDeleteNice post, Braden! It's really interesting to go back through our history and discover where certain seeds of ideas sprouted. I also remember that there also existed "Vamps" from the documentary we watched, who were defined as women who were not as daring as "Flappers" which should also be mentioned as one of the factors that was part of the idea of women's individuality. Although it could be argued, I think that our image of a woman started here, all thanks to many women who were daring and made a difference in society that would've been considered as a taboo.
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