Summary:
As American life and culture evolved during the twentieth century, the makers of American movies and television shows changed their subjects and how they are portrayed. By examining the portrayal of women's roles, fashion and clothing, and the home in the films "Way Down East," "The Grapes of Wrath," and "The Salt of the Earth," as well as the television show "Leave it to Beaver," one can see deeper, symbolic, and more purposeful meanings behind everyday images.
A Change in Perception: The Evolution of Entertainment Between 1920-1962
In the last century, America and its inhabitants underwent many changes. From the "Roaring Twenties" to the Great Depression, and from the Dust Bowl to the ideal 50's, entertainment evolved to suit an ever changing nation. In D.W. Griffith's film, Way Down East, a young woman seeks out financial assistance from her wealthier family members. In this film in particular an ever widening separation between the classes is evident. In John Ford's The Grapes of Wrath, and The Salt of the Earth, a change has occurred within the sexes, and within the struggles of working class American's. In Leave it to Beaver, American is life depicted as worry free and ideal. It is through movies and television shows of these eras that people of today are able.....
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