1970's Rock Music

Music is often considered “the universal language.” Throughout, history it has symbolized love, brought people together, and has been the cornerstone of many lives. In the 1950s, a new form of music entered American mass culture that drastically changed the culture of the United States (U.S.): rock music. In the U.S., it began as Rock ‘n’ Roll, a originally “black” music genre that was then taken and promulgated by white Americans. Post WWII, many Americans—especially teenagers—struggled with the newfound societal conformity and normalcy, and rock provided them a form of retaliation. From its beginning, Rock united the younger generation of Americans, stirring up a sense of community amongst teenagers and troubling many adults by their actions—heightening

Music as a whole blends together. One style leads to another, the music becomes more progressive. It evolves to fit the new generation, leaving the old generation behind. From the spritual songs of the late 1800s to the gospel of the early 1900s. Then it changed into rhythm and blues, and when the 1950s rolled around it became Rock’ n’ Roll. With the invention of new iconic instruments like the Fender Precision Bass and then the Fender Stratocaster, the sound of the music changed. The sound that was soft and low was now crunchy and loud. While it did not sit well with the adults, it was a hit among the new generation. Even the African American roots of the music didn’t deter the youth listening

This reference shows how music lays a foundation of teenage values beyond school or parental teaching. A musical artist can influence a young mind by the chosen lyrics with greater effectiveness than formal education. Music can control or enhance moods. A good mood can get better or a bad mood can be worked through with the choice of music. A bad mood can also be enhanced by lyrics about suicide or violent behavior. Teens can also use music to gain information about the adult world, to withdraw from social contact, facilitate friendships and social settings, or to help them create a personal identity. (O'Toole, 1997)

Connie’s parents, who choose to isolate themselves from their daughter, tremendously impact Connie's development. Throughout Connie’s journey she is often isolated. A large part of this is due to Connie's relationship with her mother. Whenever Connie

First, Oates uses music as a replacement for religion in Connie’s life. This is shown, for example, in her description of the drive-in: “the bright lit, fly-infested restaurant, their faces pleased and expectant as though they were entering a sacred building that loomed out of the night to give them what haven and what blessing they yearned for”(294). A seemingly modest drive-in where “music [is] always in the background like music at a church service”(294) seems to act as a sort of religious temple to Connie. Her extreme love of music may have also made her easier to manipulate to Arnold Friend as he spoke “exactly as if he were reciting the words to a song” (299), which caught Connie’s attention. Another example is “the little transistor the boy was holding, and now Connie began to hear the music. It was the same program that was playing inside the house”(297). This clearly shows Arnold using Connie’s love of music as a

Music functions as Connie’s separation from the real world to her fantasy world. She uses it to escape her life, and start daydreaming about boys. When Arnold pulls up to Connie's house, she then notices that he is playing the exact same music as her. Even though Arnold was using the music “as a leitmotif to his almost supernatural ability to dominate Connie” (Easterly 539), this similarity caused her to gain interest in Arnold even more without notice. The music relaxed her, which made her comfortable with him at one point in time. Connie had already drawn her idea of romance from her favorite music, and her encounter with Arnold revealed that the romance in her music is more appealing than the reality of adult sexuality and seduction.

Connie has this longing for attention that she doesn't receive in her own home, so to compensate for the lack thereof, she unconsciously feels the need to go out with her friends and different boys constantly to maintain the type of affection that she needs and wants: “But all the boys fell back and dissolved into a single face that was not even a face, but an idea, a feeling, mixed up with the urgent insistent pounding of the music” (406). So when Connie finds herself home

Connie is like most young women these days. She has an idea of what to do for career just has not yet put enough thought into it to feel good about a decision. Connie is a smart seventeen year old young woman. Her mother is struggling to provide for Connie as a single mother working two jobs and only wants the best for Connie. Her mother is often quoted as saying, “I don’t want Connie to make the mistakes I have.”

Connie lives in two different worlds. She acts and dresses differently for each. She lives in the outside or dream world and the inner world which is her family and home. In the outside world Connie is like some sort of Cinderella who does nothing but shop, go to the movies, and dream about boys all day long. But, in the inner world, Connie does nothing but argue with her mom and sister about being pretty. However, Connie’s actions or past will somewhat determine her future. The two sides that Connie has is what will cause her to give up her life

Sex, drugs and Rock and Roll, this saying goes along with the music industry like peas in a pod, but never has it had more of a literal meaning than it did in the free loving 1960s. Many of the greatest rock bands and rock artists in history were forged out of the 60s, which culminated in 1969 with a festival of peace, love and happiness in a time of war.

To understand the theme, a reader should pay attention to Connie's main character traits, which are that she is not a mature person and has an unclear identity. She concentrates on appearance and love, and is rebellious, searching for her own independence. From the very first sentences, it is clear that Connie is a typical teenager, self-absorbed, and, most of all, preoccupied with her looks. “She had a quick nervous giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors, or checking other people’s faces to make sure her own was all right” (Oates 651). From her habit of always checking her looks in different ways, readers can see that she is satisfied with her appearance and pays excessive attention to how she looks like in others’ eyes.

Connie seems to worship music, allowing it to not only affect her emotions, but to control her body, even when the rhythm only exist in her head. She feels a “slow-pulsed joy” from the music which she herself can’t understand. Connie allows herself to be led by the music following it to the drive-in diner. This was Connie’s church, “a sacred building that loomed up out of the night to give them what haven and blessing they yearned for.” The diner has two sides it’s where Connie feels the most like herself a safe place, but it can also be seen as a house of temptation. This is where Connie can experience everything she learns about through her songs talking to boys,

The imagery in this story demonstrates Connie’s perception about the world as she sees it. “But all the

The 1950’s, a time of growth, a time of a technological advancement, a time of a new culture, this was America. Post WWII America was full of joy, full of ambition and overflowing talent that helped develop an amazing period in American history. One important outcome of this decade was the birth of Rock and Roll. Rock and Roll was new, it was hip, but it was also frowned upon by many of the adult population at this time. One particular effect that Rock and Roll was thought to be the blame for was the rise in juvenile delinquency. History shows that there was an enormous spike in delinquency during the 50’s. With the assumption that Rock was to blame makes one wonder how rock was correlated to the increase in juvenile delinquency, and why would one come to this conclusion? To understand the main effect of rock on delinquency one needs to observe the rejuvenated culture of the 1950’s, know what defined a juvenile delinquent in this period, what crimes were being committed by the youth, the political aspect against rock, and the influences that rock had on the youth culture in the 1950’s.

Life is a path of accomplishments and achievements as well as distress and confrontations. It has its own ups and downs. But every human being lives it and has to live it as there is no other option. What we learn as we age making right choices and using the support that we have around, like our parents, grandparents, and friends makes us who we are. In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, Connie is a typical human being who has to deal with all the situations that come in her life. Situations like dealing with people whom she has never met and if gone out of hands, controlling the situation using intelligent methods. Even though Connie a normal teenager, who loved her friends, went to school, and enjoyed