Grease, highly successful in the 70s as both a musical and a movie, is sometimes criticized as being too nostalgic and unauthentic by only showing an idealized version of the 50s.
The audience of the 70s, which the movie appealed to, was too young to compare the 50s portrayed in the movie with reality, critics say.3
In this paper, I would like to discuss aspects of the movie and compare them with the reality of the 50s. It is important to see beyond the prevalent plot of the movie, the love story between Danny and Sandy, and to concentrate in more detail on supporting roles and
the overall atmosphere. Of course, Grease would not be Grease without its music. The 50s do not only mark the birth of a new style of music, Rock and Roll, but also of a new culture, that of teenagers, a fact which is clearly reflected in Grease. Thus, I will first look at Rock and Roll, and its effects on the development of a youth culture, and then point out a few problems these changes brought with them.
Table of Contents
0. Preface
1. Introduction
2. The music of Grease – Rock and Roll
2.1 Historical background & beginning
2.2 Role models for the music in Grease
2.3 Rock and Roll as a lifestyle - Clothes of the 50s
3. New problems - new values
3.1 Rebellious versus preppy
3.2 Teenage pregnancy
3.3 Dropouts and teenage unemployment
4. Conclusion
5. Sources
6. Appendix
Objectives & Core Themes
This paper examines the 1978 motion picture Grease to analyze how it mirrors the social realities of the 1950s in the United States. While the film is often perceived as a nostalgic teenage romance, the research explores the underlying tensions of a changing youth culture, specifically focusing on the evolution of music, the emergence of subcultures, and the social challenges—such as teenage pregnancy and unemployment—that defined the era.
- The impact of 1950s Rock and Roll on the formation of a distinct teenage identity and subculture.
- The cultural contrast between "preppy" and "rebellious" lifestyles as portrayed in the movie.
- The historical realities of 1950s youth, including sexual behavior and social expectations.
- Economic and educational challenges faced by teenagers, such as high school dropouts and unemployment.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Rebellious versus preppy
Another problem developed between the new generation of independent, rebellious teenagers and the old-fashioned youth, who followed their parents' wishes and beliefs. In the movie Grease this conflict is a very prominent theme. Sandy, the "wholesome and pure" girl, and Danny, the rebellious Greaser, just do not seem to fit together. Danny's friends, particularly Rizzo, make fun of Sandy. At the sleep-over party, Rizzo compares Sandy to Sandra Dee, a famous movie star of the 50s, who is "best known for her portrayal of ingenues" and Doris Day, another movie star and singer from the 50s and 60s, who was also well-known for her wholesome image. In the song "Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee!", Rizzo parodies Sandy by wearing a blond wig and ironically criticizing her preppy attitudes:
"I don't drink (ew!) or swear (ew!) I don't rat my hair (ew!) I get ill from one cigarette (cough!)"
Especially Sandy's attitude towards sex differs widely from Rizzo's. She calls her "lousy with virginity" and feels as if she would be throwing her life away on a dream that will not come true if she stayed home every night to wait for Mr. Right to come.
Rizzo expresses her views most clearly in the song "Worse things I could do". Even though she is criticized by many adults around her, she does not believe she is a bad person for being sexually open and enjoying her life. She asserts that she neither steals nor lies and cannot understand why others see her lifestyle so negatively.
Summary of Chapters
0. Preface: Provides background information on the origin of Grease as a Broadway musical and a film, including a concise summary of the plot.
1. Introduction: Outlines the author's personal motivation and the intention to compare the movie's portrayal of the 1950s with the actual social reality of that decade.
2. The music of Grease – Rock and Roll: Explores the significance of Rock and Roll music as a defining element of 50s youth culture and its integration into the soundtrack of the film.
2.1 Historical background & beginning: Discusses the origins of Rock and Roll, its roots in rhythm and blues, and its commercial development during the 1950s.
2.2 Role models for the music in Grease: Analyzes the influences and inspirations behind the songs used in the movie, particularly referencing the TV show American Bandstand.
2.3 Rock and Roll as a lifestyle - Clothes of the 50s: Examines how music influenced fashion and subcultures, specifically the "Greaser" style and the rebellious expression of 1950s youth.
3. New problems - new values: Details the economic and social changes post-World War II that allowed teenagers more independence, leading to conflicts with conservative parental values.
3.1 Rebellious versus preppy: Explores the social dichotomy between traditional, wholesome youth and the emerging rebellious subculture as depicted in the film's characters.
3.2 Teenage pregnancy: Investigates the rise in teenage birth rates during the 1950s and the social context of changing sexual attitudes.
3.3 Dropouts and teenage unemployment: Highlights the reality of teenage unemployment and the high rate of high school dropouts in the late 1950s, using the character Frenchy as an example.
4. Conclusion: Synthesizes the analysis, concluding that Grease, while nostalgic and partially idealized, successfully captures the underlying societal tensions of the decade.
5. Sources: Lists the primary and secondary literature, including films, articles, and websites used for research.
6. Appendix: Provides statistical data on unemployment and the original lyrics of key songs from the film.
Keywords
Grease, 1950s, Rock and Roll, Youth culture, Greasers, American Bandstand, Teenage pregnancy, Unemployment, Subculture, Social change, Cinema, Music history, Popular culture, Rebellion, 1970s nostalgia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the relationship between the 1978 film Grease and the historical reality of the 1950s in America, focusing on the emergence of youth subcultures and their associated social challenges.
What are the primary thematic areas covered in the work?
Key themes include the evolution of Rock and Roll music, the development of teenage subcultures, changing social values regarding sexuality, and economic issues like education and unemployment.
What is the central research question?
The author aims to look beyond the film's "kitschy" plot to analyze how it reflects the actual atmosphere, music, and problems of the 1950s, while determining if the film's representation of the era is authentic.
Which scientific methods are applied to conduct this analysis?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis of the film's plot, music, and characters, juxtaposed with historical secondary sources, statistics, and cultural studies regarding the 1950s.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the history of Rock and Roll, the definition of the "Greaser" lifestyle through fashion, the conflict between rebellious and preppy identities, and historical data regarding teen pregnancy and unemployment.
Which key terms characterize this academic work?
The most important terms include Rock and Roll, 1950s youth culture, Greaser subculture, teenage unemployment, and media-driven cultural change.
How does the author analyze the character of Sandy in relation to the era?
The author contrasts Sandy as a "pure and wholesome" representation of traditional values with the rebellious "Greaser" group, noting how the film uses her character arc to reflect changing values.
What does the statistical data in the appendix reveal about the 1950s?
The appendix provides empirical data showing the unemployment rates for 16-19 year olds in the 1950s, which underscores the societal instability and youth hardships mentioned in chapter 3.3.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Jennifer Schenke (Autor:in), 2008, Back to the Fifties: Grease, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/174173
