Violent Literature of the 1960's

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Violent Literature of the 1960's

Like any idealistic movement of the 1960’s the anti war movement began as an impassioned protest. Peaceful rhetoric dictated by the emerging counter culture lined its foundations, propelling it into existence and giving it such hope and fervor it was impossible to ignore. Causes such as this were the catalyst for togetherness and comradery within and around communities. The Free Speech Movement set the stage for this national awakening, forcing the public to open their eyes to the issues at hand. Mario Savio’s cries for action rung out in the ears of the country, sparking an uprising of young idealistic believers; they had to put a stop to a war already reeking of death. Some of the most honest literature was created during the anti war movement, narrating the course of emotional attachment and dedication individuals felt. As Andrew Gordon wrote: “The time was ripe, America was ours, and we were going to change the world: Paradise Now or Apocalypse Now” (Portable Sixties Reader 231).

The Free Speech Movement (FSM) began as a simple protest of the unjust enforcement of laws by school officials. Peaceful civil disobedience bled into more direct action as the cause grew, drawing increasing support from students and the surrounding community. Mario Savio sat in the center of this whirlwind transfer of power and emotion, summoning from within himself a passion that soon took hold of the Berkeley campus. The FSM became more than just a movement to gain rights; it became a national anthem of student progress and the ability to truly change an institution. Prior to entering Sproul Hall, student demonstrators listened as Savio fervently called them into action:

There is a time when the op...

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...both literally as well as through literature. Peace was born of idealistic individuals willing to fight with their words and diplomatic actions. This peace then mutated into a revolutionary society filled with radical leaders calling for violence to stop the war; a proverbial situation where fire was being used to fight fire. This flourish of harmony that existed throughout the country was inevitably weak, equipped to break at any moment. Thompson writes of this disintegration: “…with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark—that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back” (Thompson 68). Literature from the 1960’s stands today as some of the most powerful narration of the domestic struggle out country witnessed. It documents the rocky movements of students and communities alike and paints an amazing picture of the battle to end the war.

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