History 476

Fall 2013

Homework Assignment for September 24th

Imagine that you have traveled back in time to the roaring twenties. Create a back story for yourself – How old are you? (keep your range to between 17 and 22) What are you like? (Scion of an old wealthy family? Social climbing member of the new middle class? College fraternity man with a brand new car? Party girl frustrated by your old-fashioned parents who don’t want you smoking? Conservative young lady who longs to be popular but is put off by those vulgar “flappers”? Bewildered guy just looking for a “nice girl”? Athlete in search of alcohol and a fast woman who can dance up a storm? Snarky editor of the school paper whose radical politics mask an insecurity complex about a poor Jewish background? Or a small town girl who just bought some rouge because you’re tired of being a wallflower?)

After you’ve written the description of your own character, based on your back story and drawing on the information in this week’s assigned reading, create the profile of your ideal “date.” Consider your “likes” and “don’t likes.” Consider what you’d really want in a guy (or girl), what you’d be ok with, and what you simply couldn’t tolerate. Consider what you might like to do on a date (and what you don’t want to do – or won’t do!).

In writing both descriptions, remember that your back story and the profile for your ideal date must be historically accurate. In sum, create characters that are fully developed but also true to the times.

To help you capture the right “lingo,” you should use this “Glossary” of Flapper terminology.

Bring your typed responses with you on Tuesday. I will collect them at the end of class.