Teenagers of the 1950s

By: Justin Loretangeli

Teenagers of the 1950s rebelled against conformity and created a basis for what teenagers are today.

The Typical 1950s Teenager• Expected to attend

college• Expected to conform

with society• Rock n’ roll• Expected to join

military• Drive ins• Television

Holden Caulfield Childish Traits

• Hypocritical• Allie’s baseball glove• Complains a lot• Thinks of Jane as

child• Visits museum

because it never changes

• Wants conformity

Holden Caulfield’s Adult Traits• Smokes• Wants to run

away• Curious about sex• Interested in Jane

and Sally• Lives away from

family

Motif: The Frozen Pond

• Half frozen over• Frozen side symbolizes childhood• Unfrozen side symbolizes adulthood• Symbolizes a struggle to become one or

other

Loss of Innocence• Growing up is loss of innocence• Jane dating Stradlater– Doesn’t like that she grew up

• Thinks of her as a child• Mad at Stradlater for Jane growing up

1950s Teenage Loss of Innocence

• Rock n’ roll rebelled conformity– Attended concerts

and bought records• Hot rod cars• Rebelling against

parents– Talking back

• Slang

My Personal View• Good to rebel against

conformity– Be yourself

• Rock n’ roll– Helped teens create an

identity• The word teenager– Gave teens a place in the

world• 1950’s– Started a basis for what

teenagers are today