The purpose of this paper is to analyse the question to what extent a piece of art, in this case a novel, can serve as a basis for cultural studies. For this reason the representation of youth and youth culture in the novel Absolute Beginners by Colin MacInnes will be analysed.
In the second chapter this paper introduces the novel with its main characters and the main themes. The third chapter then focuses on the theories of youth and youth culture from Ogersby. To combine the results drawn from the first two chapters, the fourth chapter deals with the question whether Absolute Beginners main character is represented as a typical teenager of the fifties or whether he is just a construction by the author. All the results of the paper are combined in the conclusion to prove whether the novel serves as a medium for representing youth cultures of the fifties in England or not. This leads to the answer of the question how a piece of art can be taken as a basis for cultural studies.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The novel Absolute Beginners
- The main character
- The main themes
- Theories on youth and youth cultures
- Is Absolute Beginners main character a typical teenager of the fifties?
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the representation of youth and youth culture in the novel "Absolute Beginners" by Colin MacInnes. It investigates the extent to which this piece of art can serve as a basis for cultural studies. By analyzing the main character, themes, and relating them to existing theories of youth and youth culture, the paper aims to determine if the novel accurately portrays the teenage experience of the 1950s in England.
- The portrayal of youth and youth culture in literature
- The role of art in cultural studies
- The representation of teenage life in the 1950s
- The concept of "absolute beginners" as a defining characteristic of the teenage generation
- The influence of societal factors on the formation of youth identities
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction establishes the purpose of the paper, outlining the analysis of youth and youth culture in "Absolute Beginners". The second chapter provides an introduction to the novel, focusing on its main character, an unnamed nineteen-year-old photographer, and the novel's key themes. This unnamed protagonist embodies the spirit of the "new generation" of the 1950s, yearning for independence and a life separate from the societal norms imposed by his parents.
The third chapter explores the theories of youth and youth culture, drawing upon Ogersby's perspectives. This chapter lays the theoretical foundation for analyzing the novel's depiction of youth. Finally, the fourth chapter investigates whether the novel's main character represents a typical teenager of the 1950s, or if he is a constructed figure crafted by the author. This chapter examines the interplay between the character's experiences and the larger social and cultural context of the time.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Youth culture, teenage experience, 1950s England, "Absolute Beginners," Colin MacInnes, cultural studies, societal influence, identity formation, post-war Britain, social norms, teenage rebellion, consumer culture, "new generation," Ogersby's theories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of the novel "Absolute Beginners" by Colin MacInnes?
The novel focuses on the emergence of youth culture in 1950s London, portraying a new generation that seeks independence from their parents' social norms and values.
Can a novel like "Absolute Beginners" be used for cultural studies?
Yes, the paper analyzes to what extent literature can serve as a historical and sociological source to understand the teenage experience and social shifts of the post-war era.
Who is the protagonist of the story?
The protagonist is an unnamed 19-year-old freelance photographer who represents the "absolute beginners" – the first generation to be defined as modern teenagers.
What does the term "Absolute Beginners" signify in the context of the 1950s?
It refers to the youth who were the "first" to experience a distinct teenage identity, characterized by their own music, fashion, and economic power, separate from the adult world.
Does the novel accurately reflect the youth culture of the time?
The paper investigates whether the main character is a realistic representation of a 1950s teenager or a construction by MacInnes to highlight specific cultural theories of youth.
- Quote paper
- Phyllis Wiechert (Author), 2002, The representation of youth and youth culture in the novel Absolute Beginners by Colin MacInnes, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73176
