“Punk, Disco, and Silly Love Songs: Revisiting the Explosive Summer of 1976” by Jason Heller The explosive summer or the explosive struggle? In this essay, I will explore the moments when Heller became too abstract and started drifting off topic. The article mentioned too many bad events for it really to be an “Explosive Summer.” The explosive summer of 1976 was a great time for music but a disappointment for the people who didn’t get treated with respect or equality. “Punk, Disco, and Silly Love Songs: Revisiting the Explosive Summer of 1976” by Jason Heller published august 24th 2016 states that “There’s a lot to celebrate in the summer of 1976”. However, he mentions the not so celebratory thing like the death of Elvis Presley, the LGBT riots for rights, 12” singles being made during an oil shortage and much more. Heller speaks as if these things are happening behind the scenes of the advancement of music. Was the summer of 1976 really explosive or was it a dud? Heller mentions Americans Bicentennial then drifts off that by mentioning the death of Elvis Presley. The success of Diana Ross and the downfall of the other Motown members. The failing of disco music because of its “Homophobic Undertones”. The horrific event the Watts Riot (Over Four million dollars’ worth of damage …show more content…
and the death of 32 people) then the success of “Black Sitcoms” like Good Times and Sandford and Son that shows black people struggling. That’s not explosive its offensive. The timeline in this article is horrendous its starts off at the fourth of July then jumps to the death of Elvis Presley (August 16th ,1997) and back to May.
The timeline illogical and hard to follow. However, the way he concluded with Richard Pryor’s “Bicentennial Nigger” to connect back with his opening statement about Americas two hundredth birthday was ingenious. After reading through the last few paragraphs of the article where he transitions from David Bowie's infatuation of funk to Bob Marley’s former bandmates masterpiece requesting the legalization of marijuana. This related to what’s happening today because that’s something people are still fighting to have
legalized. “I shot the sheriff but I didn’t shoot the deputy” (Bob Marley) Bob Marley survives an assassination attempt and “What’s Happening!!” Premieres. The statement above makes emotional connections because Bob Marley was a strong individual who spoke up when it came to oppressors and he made music that told people not to worry. The ‘What’s Happening!!” sitcom was a very important thing to mention it made sure that what happened during the Watts Riot would not be forgotten. The mention of Elvis Presley was important as well he was important to people all over not just in Memphis. Mentioning these things played an important part in an emotional aspect. Homophobic undertones and racial dividers describe the 1976. Homophobic undertones are when something or someone seems like they don’t like homosexuals. However, Heller mentioned that LGBT artist was coming out and being comfortable with their sexuality. Then he states that there were homophobic undertones in disco music this should have been mentioned before he talked about the LGBT artist coming out. Racial dividers were still a thing but mostly in the south, some black artist couldn’t play where white artist played. However, if they could play in the same place there would be a divider between the two races. Heller mentions this but only talks about four black musicians not including Bob Marley. Then he mentions soul train which was a big thing in 70’s it was to listen to learn the latest dance moves and listen to the latest R&B and disco stars.
Heller, Joseph. "Chapter 21." Catch-22. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2004. 210. Print.
Published in 1961, Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 is a satire of war with a twist. Heller wrote his narrative nonlinearly. Although certain critics described the novel as “disorganized, unreadable and crass”, the mismatched chronology complements Heller’s style of writing and draws the reader’s interest. One key point of Catch-22, the catch-22 paradox, makes use of the nonlinear structure to encircle the reader in the contradictions. In addition, Heller’s style of writing provides a point of viewing different from most novels. While the narrative may seem complex and overwhelming at first, the reader learns to appreciate the subtleties of Heller’s labyrinthine plot.
Heller's principle emphasis is on the internal struggle with conflicting values and the characters' evolution. He creates a quandary that Yossarian explores throughout the novel, and establishes Yossarian's world as one turned upside down by war. After exploring this chaotic condition and the mess it creates on people's values, Yossarian finally arrives at his decision to withdraw from the conflict. In the first half of the war, Yossarian runs. As he comes to terms with himself, he takes responsibility and explores life beyond himself.
As the sweltering, hot sun signified the start of a scorching afternoon, a young boy lay in the fields harvesting vegetables for another family. He had been enslaved to perform chores around the house for the family, and was only given very few privileges. While his stomach throbbed with pangs of hunger, he continued cooking meals for them. After the family indulged in the cozy heat from the fireplace, he was the one to clean the ashes. Despite his whole body feeling sore from all the rigorous work he completed, the young boy had been left alone to suffer. As months passed by, he desired independence. He wanted to cook his own food, make his own fire, harvest his own plants and earn money. The lad soon discovered that he needed faith and courage to break away from his restricted environment. When put in a suppressive situation, every person has the aspiration to escape the injustice. This is what Harrison Bergeron and Sanger Rainsford do to liberate themselves from the external forces that govern their lives. Harrison, the main character of “Harrison Bergeron” written by Kurt Vonnegut, is a strong, fourteen year old boy whose talents have been concealed by the government. Growing up in an environment where equality has restricted people’s thinking, Harrison endeavors to change society’s views. Rainsford, the main character of “The Most Dangerous Game” written by Richard Connell, is a skilled hunter who believes that animals were made to be hunted; he has no sympathy for them. Stranded on island with a killer chasing him, he learns to make rational choices. While both Harrison and Ranisford are courageous characters, Rainsford’s prudence enables him to overpower his enemy, whereas Harrison’s impulsive nature results in him being ...
In her essay, Pamela Steinle asserts that The Catcher in the Rye is a mundane novel and is confused as to how it gained a great deal of popularity, both positive and negative. She argues that, “[i]t is this fear of nuclear holocaust,... that I believe is at the
“The alternating play of humor and horror creates a dramatic tension throughout that allows the book to be labeled as a classic both of humor and of war. With the humor in Catch-22 we are forced to conclude is only secondary. Where Heller comes through in unalleviated horror is where the message lies. The books humor does not alleviate the horror it heightens it by contrast.” (Riley, Carolyn & Phyllis Carmel Mendelson).
Martin, Jay. Nathanael West, a collection of critical essays. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1971. Print.
Baym, Nina, and Robert S. Levine. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. New York London: W. W. Norton & Company, 2012. Print.
Catch-22, by Joseph Heller, is a fictitious novel that depicts life on an American bomber squadron on Pianosa, an island off the coast of Italy, during the closing years of World War II. A bombardier by the name of Yossarian, the main character in the story, is joined by many others to create a comic drama unlike any other. But aside from the entertainment, Heller uses Catch-22 to satirize many aspects of everyday life that consist of hypocrisy, corruption, and insanity. From the laziness of policeman to the fake happiness brought about by money, the novel is painted with a great number of points targeted against the faults of modern society. However, along with these smaller targets, a majority of the Heller’s satire in the novel is aimed specifically at the imperious bureaucracy in the military, the current nature of man, and the corruption of religion; all of which accentuate the senselessness of war itself. Through Yossarian, who is conscience of what is sane, along with characters who are not, Heller emphasizes his ridicule by making what is appropriate seem peculiar and what is ludicrous seem common, ultimately giving the reader a viewpoint that proves astonishingly effective.
After many of World War II’s harmful effects, the 1950s served as a period of time of musical change that reflected the dynamic of society as well as the traditional norms and values. Many factors contributed to this transformation. For example, the civil rights movement heightened many racial tensions, and the music produced consequently manifested this tension in itself. Rock-n-roll and R&B music universalized music typically associated with African-Americans, and many African-American musicians gained fame; however, as with any relatively-widespread success, there were many musicians as well who missed their opportunities due to the same racial segregation. While “radical” genres such as R&B and rock-n-roll laid the foundation for music future forms of music, the standard pop, jazz, and country music adhered to traditional values, and thus continued to maintain popularity amidst phenomena such as the Elvis craze.
In the awaken of World War II, Southerners anticipated a peaceful and prosperous future, but as Pete Daniel reveals, the road into the 1950s took some unexpected turns American History has developed, over time, into a mass of events inspired by direct and indirect causes/ revolutions as a result of an altogether different conflict. The 1950's in the South was both a time and a place of contradictions. On one hand, there was a cultural revolution going on that joined both white and black musical tastes into one revolutionary music genre such as rock 'n' roll and a governmental revolution that went on like integration which made the cultural achievements seem to light in judgment. Daniel opens his story in 1945, in the promise of postwar peace and prosperity, the core of the book is the period between, the story of how it mostly went wrong and closes it with the brutal violence released on black and white civil rights workers during 1964’s Freedom Summer. “The years between World War II and Freedom Summer were ripe with possibilities, but the postwar
This book’s primary focus was war; the story is set in World War II. Heller wanted to disprove war and show his own point of view of war. Culture in the 1950 was slowly being built upon way with the thought of war being good for the country. Heller wanted to condemn this
Catch 22 is a novel by Joseph Heller set in WWII which comments on individuality, corruption, and the inability to act independently. In this novel, the characters in power are either corrupt or completely incapable of wielding such power, and Yossarian, the antihero of this narrative, exemplifies many existential qualities, such as defying said authority. Although some may label him as a traitor for doing so, it is excusable in his case due to the insurmountable odds that have been stacked against him in the form of the corrupt and greedy world he inhabits. Through the experiences of Yossarian and his contemporaries, it is evident that Heller is preaching an existentialist ideal in this novel, and this philosophy is strengthened, in particular,
Music is an outlet to all aspects of life and culture is a significant way of forming people and the way they live. Although not always seen directly culture has an overbearing influence on the music that is produced and made popular. The political Climate of the early seventies was full of fire with issues such as Vietnam and constant protest throughout the county. Later in the 70’s the end of the Vietnamese conflict brought the rise of the Watergate scandal and Iran Contra. These issues swept headlines and ingrained people’s thoughts. Social issues also played a big role in the developing culture of the seventies. Protests and constant outbreaks about gay rights and women’s rights seemed to overtake the country in storm. Later in the Decade the social climate changed to a celebration of the Past and a can-do attitude. Political and Social climates had an overbearing influence on the attitude that was being developed throughout the seventies. This climate was also transparent in the music world of this decade. In the early 70’s music lyrics were being created that were representative of the popular method of protest and social change. Music is a common way of expression and during this time artist and groups took the most of their popular music by expressing viewpoints on present issues. In the mid to late seventies the birth of new styles that broke from the old seemed to dominate the music industry. These new types of music ranged from disco to television pop. The music of the decade represented the culture and was greatly influenced by events and beliefs of the 70’s. At this time in American history, music and life became closely nit. In the late 1970’s, national issues settl...
The post World War II period had an enormous impact on American society and literature. Many important events occurred and affected directly to the movement of American literature. During this period, American Literature reflected the movement of disillusionment, and portrayed the lost generation. Many WWII writers adapted new approaches and philosophies in writing their novels. They portrayed the lost generation, anti-war perspective and explored the true meaning of “war hero”. Among them, the pioneers are Bernard Malamud, Ken Kesey and Joseph Heller, who wrote the Natural, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Catch-22.