The American Freedom of Easy Rider

Seminar Paper , 2008 , 2 Pages , Grade: B

Didactics for the subject English - Discussion and Essays

In the 1960’s, America went through a turbulent time. As the cold war with the Communists went on, America fought in proxy war against the Vietnamese communists from 2394 to 123, which caused additional national problems. The civil rights movement divided the nation and increased violence and confrontations up into the late 60’s in most parts of America. Free speech and Antiwar-movements went through America and consequently shaped the society. A new type of people evolved: the Hippies. They fought grievance non-violently and reminded America of one of its most distinctive characteristics – individual freedom. This new mentality is expressed in the movie “Easy Rider” by Dennis Hopper. The movie is about two friends, Wyatt and Billy, who receive a lot of money through a drug trade in Los Angeles. With that money, they want to realize one of their dreams: a motorcycle tour across the United States to Carnival in New Orleans. Easy Rider, released in 1968, can be seen as a primary source, with which I am going to argue that Easy Rider defines the American Freedom in contrast to the tense political and social situation of the 1960s. “What the hell is wrong with freedom? That's what it's all about.” A definition of the American freedom is that the citizens of the United States may live their individuality however they desire as long as it happens within the frame of the constitutional law. Wyatt and Bill life after the law of the nation but not after the unwritten law of the society of the 1960s: They have long hair and smoke weed. They are what many people at this time consider hippies: People who do not fit into the society, neither by their opinions nor their appearance. Billy’s and Wyatt’s comparably free mindset can already be observed by the fact that they are willing to put themselves in danger in order to life their freedom. Living the extends of their freedom means to them, that they experience America, the host country of what the whole world imagines as a symbol of freedom. The film exposes the contrast between the new movements and the conservatives in various scenes. One of the scenes introduces the intolerance which the two friends are going to experience during their trip.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The American Freedom of Easy Rider
• Easy Rider as a Primary Source
• The American Freedom: Individuality within the Law
• The Contrast Between Movements
• The Hippie Community
• The Transformation of Society
• The Rejection of the New Freedom

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This text aims to analyze the film "Easy Rider" as a primary source for understanding the concept of American freedom in the turbulent 1960s. The author uses the film to explore the tensions between the counterculture movement and traditional American values.

• The definition of American freedom in the 1960s
• The contrast between the counterculture movement and conservative values
• The representation of the hippie community and their ideals
• The transformation of characters and the evolving social landscape
• The rejection of the new freedom and the consequences of difference

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

This section provides a brief overview of the key points discussed in the text.

• The American Freedom of Easy Rider: This chapter introduces the context of the 1960s in America, highlighting the Vietnam War, civil rights movement, and the emergence of the hippie counterculture. It establishes "Easy Rider" as a primary source for examining American freedom during this period.
• Easy Rider as a Primary Source: This section argues that "Easy Rider" offers a valuable insight into the American freedom of the 1960s, contrasting it with the tense political and social atmosphere of the time.
• The American Freedom: Individuality within the Law: This chapter defines American freedom as the right of individuals to live their lives according to their own desires, as long as they operate within the boundaries of the law. It introduces the main characters, Wyatt and Billy, and their unconventional lifestyle.
• The Contrast Between Movements: This chapter explores the tension between the counterculture movement and conservative values through the experiences of Wyatt and Billy. The scene with the motel owner highlights the intolerance they face, while the arrest scene further emphasizes the clash between these two groups.
• The Hippie Community: This section examines the hippie community as a representation of the ultimate American freedom, emphasizing their self-sufficiency and independence from traditional societal structures.
• The Transformation of Society: This chapter explores the evolution of the social landscape as characters like George, an initially conservative lawyer, transition towards the counterculture movement. The film suggests a shift in the society’s values and a growing acceptance of alternative lifestyles.
• The Rejection of the New Freedom: This section focuses on the final scene of the film, which depicts the brutal rejection of the counterculture by conservative groups. The violence highlights the continued resistance to the new freedom and the dangerous consequences of being different.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The text explores the themes of American freedom, the counterculture movement, the 1960s, social transformation, conservative values, hippies, individual freedom, and societal conflict. The film "Easy Rider" serves as a primary source for understanding these concepts in the context of the period.

• College: University of California, Berkeley
• Grade: B
• Author: Axel Stelter (Author)
• Publication Year: 2008
• Pages: 2
• Catalog Number: V120235
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640237098
• ISBN (Book): 9783640922949
• Language: English
• Tags: Essay, Easy, Rider