women behavior in 20's
Written and Organized by Maria Paula Andrade
20's is the decade of so-called Prohibition Era, but curiously It's also known as "Roaring Twenties" because they had been years of freedom in music, art, economy, but specially in social psychology structure and behavior. "The Noble Experiment" or also called "Prohibition Era" was the period of 1920-1933 when production, importation, transportation or sells of alcoholic beverages were totally forbidden by the Government. Prohibitionists that were most part composed by protestants, had been arguing alcoholic prohibition would solve political corruption and family violence problems, then prohibition used to mean even more than a solution for health population but the cure for public moral at that time. They were supported by Temperance Movement, a social movement against alcoholic beverages consumption and had been strongly based and prompted by Women's Christian Temperance Movement (WCTU), an international movement leading by a group of women, that was founded in 1874 (Hillsboro, Ohio), engaged in designing a Social Reform based on applying Christianity rules.
Even Though, Prohibition Era lasted for 13 years its effects didn't hold for a long time, since alcoholic beverage consumption and alcohol related harm fell immediately about 30% compared to pre-prohibition level, but it increased about 60%-70% of its pre-prohibition level in next several years, also it left as the main byproduct a huge and developed illegal market on alcohol drinkings
Culturally, American Society had been experiencing the rising of Jazz, a music style that comes from African-American communities in New Orleans/USA and characterized by improvisation and different rhythms and sounds in the same sound. The Jazz Age, name popularized by Scott Fitzgerald in "Tales of Jazz Age", also influenced dancing like Charleston, Shimmy, Bunny Hug, Black Bottom.
20's is also the decade of "Financial prosperity" brought by "American Way of Life" view, the idea of happiness and satisfaction based on intense consumerism and liberal principles belief
icons of 20's: the rise of flappers
20's is known of "Roaring Twenties" partly because World War I has affect the Psychological behavior of Society, specially Women behavior. A large number of people died in World War I and Spanish Flu, then people have realized life is very short to be waste and Women started to enjoy their youth have fun, make their own choices and no longer staying at home and waiting a man for marry them. Furthermore, the end of War weakener the barriers between different social economical classes giving a sense of freedom in society.
"In all countries, the First World War weakened old orthodoxies and authorities, and, when it was over, neither government nor church nor school nor family had the power to regulate the lives of human beings as it had once done. One result of this was a profound change in manners and morals that made a freer and less restrained society. Women benefited from this as much as anyone else. Time-worn prescriptions concerning what was or was not proper behavior for them no longer possessed much credibility, and taboos about unaccompanied appearances in public places, or the use of liquor or tobacco, or even pre-marital sexual relationships had lost their force. ... [W]omen were no longer as vulnerable to the tyranny of society as they had been [before]."
Historian Gordon A. Craig
This freedom spirit was internalized in the raising of Flappers, the icons of Roaring Twenties. Flappers were women that defy social norms by smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, dancing in Clubs, driving automobiles and facing sex as a casual thing.
In 20's, American experienced the first wave of feminism (link here) when Women have won for the right to vote and had been fight (We'll still on this) for important goals like: "sex rights", full political participation, individuality and economic independence. The Flappers showed the women empowerment by using strong make ups, short and bobbed hair, short dress that make them look as modern and pragmatic women. More than a trend fashion, clothing was a protest of gender roles.
Some people criticize this new look, like the Writer Lynne Frame. She wrote a large number scientists (by the way, at that time only men were recognized as) have been analysing the flappers degree of femininity and some attribute a kind of "Business" to her look and appearance also gynecologists gave the opinion of husband could be unhappy if her wife were less feminine making her not "marriageable". Flappers were the opposite of previous women fashion trend, The Gibson Girls, that emphasize women curves with tight garments and accessories.
"Skirts were long and flared, and dresses were tailored with high necks and close-fitting sleeves. The style was considered masculine, and this was sometimes emphasized by wearing a necktie. Though women still wore the restrictive undergarments known as corsets, a new health corset came into style that was said to be better for the spine than earlier corsets. An S-shaped figure became trendy, with a large bust and large hips, separated by a tiny, corseted waist. These styles, worn with confidence and poise by modern women. ... She might be pictured at a desk in a tailored shirtwaist or at a tennis party in an informal sports dress. She wore her long hair upswept in an elaborate mass of curls, perhaps topped by a simple straw hat. Though she was capable and independent, the Gibson girl was always beautiful and elegant."(by Encyclopedia of fashion)
In 1922, a small circulation magazine called "The Flapper", located in Chicago brings topics on art, sports, fashion, technology, automobiles and telephones in a way of celebrate produly the unconventional behavior and appearance of Flappers. Even Though, the Flapper have influenced lots of Women specially in the Cinema it had becoming popular in America, Flappers were extremely criticize. In 1922, some banks across United States have adopted a anti- Flappers dress code by regulating dresses and giving them rules on wearing, like "dress should not have a pattern, it should be bought from a specific store, it must be worn in either black, blue or brown, its sleeves must not be shortened above the elbow, and its hem must not be worn higher than twelve inches from the ground." It was adopt after a complaint of mother because her son did business around women who were "illegally attractive".
Al though, The Flappers can be seen as American Modern - Day Women and cultural heroine, some people use to see Flappers as a threat to American Society and Moral Order since they openly flirting with guys, dancing provocatively, driving automobiles, go by night to jazz clubs, call a man for a date, leading a role in relationships, or even asking boys for coming their homes. The Flappers were extremely criticized for behavior like a normal man, at that time. Not only the appearance of Flappers are stereotyped as "pleasure-loving" or vulgar girl, but also the Etymology of the word Flappers can be associated to hookers. Flappers defied victorian american social norms by putting in question gender roles and stereotypes behavior, asking what they accepted as masculinity and femininity, and being a big symbol of women independence, emancipation and gender equality. Although, The Flappers legacy is endless the Flapper Era reached the end in the Wall Street Crash, 1929, when lots of people that move up to upper income class driven by th "American way of life" returned to lower income class.
Zelda fitzgerald: an unconventional woman
Zelda Sayre who was dubbed of "The first American Flapper" by Scott Fitzgerald, her husband, was one of his great inspiration. She was a novelist, poet, painter, dancer and socialite. Even Though, She has produced a lot, her life was short and plagued with conturbate episodes. She belongs a prominent family from early settlers of Long Island, who moved to Alabama after Civil War. As a child, She took ballet classes. At high school, she begun an active social life drinking a lot, smoking, flirting with boys and being a leader of youth scene. She used to love being the center of attentions by swimming with tight, flesh-colored bathing suit in order to incentivize rumors she was naked. Zelda was an icon of modern women, in 1922 when she was married and become a mother, she.Although, she behaved in a unconventional way and people expected passivity, delicate and docile, her father's reputation protect her from critics. In 1918, Zelda met Scott at Camp Sheridan (in a country club dance in Montgomery) when he was a volunteer for the Army and future novelist dreamer. He immediately started to call her daily, and talked about his plans to be famous as a writer. He sent her a chapter of his book he was writing, he redrafted with Zelda the character of Rosalind Connage in "The side of paradise" and he used verbatim excerpts from Zelda's personal diary. Zelda's diary provided a great material for Scott's fiction. Once The side of Paradise has published the decided marry, go against Zelda's friends and relatives that didn't agree with Scott's excessive drinkings. Their only daughter, Frances Scottie Fitzgerald, was born in October 26th, in 1921 at Scott's home in St. Paul Minnesota. When she wake up from anesthesia, Scott recorded Zelda saying "Oh, God, goofo I'm drunk. Mark Twain. Isn't she smart—she has the hiccups. I hope it's beautiful and a fool—a beautiful little fool." Zelda's marriage was plagued by infidelity, drinking, intense discussion.
"See if there is any bacon, and if there is, ask the cook which pan to fry it in. Then ask if there are any eggs, and if so try and persuade the cook to poach two of them. It is better not to attempt toast, as it burns very easily. Also, in the case of bacon, do not turn the fire too high, or you will have to get out of the house for a week. Serve preferably on china plates, though gold or wood will do if handy."(Zelda for Favorite Recipes of Famous Women Magazine)
Scott's acholism got intense and Zelda's behavior had becoming pretty irregular. At 27, she become obssessed of being a ballarine, as her friend seemed to belived she had "a fair degree of talent", Scott Fitzgeral desincouraged and dismisseves her wife desire to become a professional ballerine.In 1929, a famous Ballet Company invited her to join them, however she refused. In 1930, She was addimted to a sanatorium in France and she was diagnosed with scisofreniy. In 1932, Scott Fitzgerald leaves France to Hollywood and Zelda's father dead. She returned to live in a psycrist clinic. Zelda has died in 1947 in a terrible fire on, where she was a patient.
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If you are interested in go deeper on "Flapper's story" and "Roaring 20's" , check these files out:
"The New Woman:Changing View of Women in 1920s"- Etelle B. Freedman
Flappers - The Roaring Twenties
Singgin'in the rain - Broadway Melody - Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse
The very best of Jazz Divas: Billie Holiday, Ella Fiztgerald, Mildred Bailey
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If you want to check all references used for creating this section, please press the bottom right below and take a look on "Sources".