What Marijuana, "The Lord of the Rings", and Jazz Music Have in Common

A Look at the American Pop Culture and Counterculture of the 1960's

Essay , 2018 , 10 Pages , Grade: 1.6

Cultural Studies - Miscellaneous

This essay strives to show the connection between some of the biggest issues of the day which were taking place in the 1960's, particularly in the United States. Among the subject matter discussed is "The Lord of the Rings", science, science fiction, literature, film, "Star Trek", "Lost in Space", Leonard Nimoy, Darwinism, "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Planet of the Apes", the Beat movement, the counterculture, and more. It draws the lines between the elements of news/actions, society, and culture.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Preface
• An Overview of the 1960's
• The Pot Culture
• The Beat, the Jazz, and the Blues
• Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This book aims to explore the confluence of American pop culture and counterculture in the 1960s, examining how events, social movements, and cultural trends intersected. The author utilizes the influence of marijuana, jazz music, and The Lord of the Rings as case studies to illustrate this dynamic interaction.

• The reciprocal influence of news, society, and culture.
• The impact of social movements, particularly the counterculture, on popular culture.
• The role of literature, film, and music in shaping cultural trends and attitudes.
• The relationship between cultural phenomena and broader social and political changes.
• The ways in which popular culture reflects and influences societal values.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Preface: This introduction establishes the central themes of the book, highlighting the interconnectedness of news, society, and culture. The author uses historical examples to demonstrate how cultural products and social movements can impact and be impacted by broader societal developments.
• An Overview of the 1960's: This chapter provides a broad historical context for the 1960s, highlighting both the scientific and cultural advancements of the era, as well as the social and political upheavals. It touches on key events like the space race, the civil rights movement, and the rise of the counterculture.
• The Pot Culture: This chapter examines the influence of marijuana on American culture, particularly within the context of the counterculture. It discusses the historical use of marijuana and its depiction in popular media, highlighting its association with the Beat Generation and its subsequent adoption by the hippies.
• The Beat, the Jazz, and the Blues: This chapter explores the connections between the Beat Generation, jazz music, and the counterculture. It discusses the influence of jazz on the language and style of the counterculture, demonstrating how musical trends can contribute to broader cultural developments.
• Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings: This chapter examines the reception of J.R.R. Tolkien's works, specifically The Lord of the Rings, within the context of the counterculture. It highlights similarities between the world of Tolkien and the counterculture lifestyle, suggesting that the books' popularity among hippies might have reflected their shared values and attitudes.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Key terms and concepts explored in this text include: American pop culture, counterculture, the 1960s, marijuana, jazz music, The Lord of the Rings, the Beat Generation, hippies, social movements, cultural trends, news, society, and cultural influence.

• Grade: 1.6
• Author: John Tuttle (Author)
• Publication Year: 2018
• Pages: 10
• Catalog Number: V413987
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668645813
• ISBN (Book): 9783668645820
• Language: English
• Tags: ku klux klan, tolkien, hobbit, lord of the rings, counterculture, marijuana, pot, jazz, leonard nimoy, fanzine, star trek, lost in space