New York city was certainly not at its best in the 1970s, or was it? A lot of information and research regarding the time revolves around economic decline and constant mayhem. NYC was the "center" of our giant melting pot, featuring individuals from all walks of life. In Company, perhaps our closest connection to this vibrant culture is Marta, who seems fascinated with the mayhem of New York. The Seventies weren't all gritty; married couples and the traditional lifestyle still existed. Below you will find various links and research that delve into the time period.
"Splendor in the Grit"I enjoyed this article by James Wolcott published online at Vanity Fair. He delivers an in-depth explanation of the lifestyles and cultures from the time period. His use of vivid imagery and comparisons made grasping the era much easier.
Economics of Marriage in 1970.Married life has changed over the years. This article and graph compares the economics of marriages forty years ago with marriages today. Most of this progress is due to the feminist movement that continued to develop and expand in the seventies. Take a peek into the demographics of Bobby's married friends.
|
"Longing for New York's Bad Old Days"Another interesting article regarding the "bad old days" of New York City. Charlie McCann counter's James Wolcott's approach on the era in this article. He subtly calls him out for being cavalier about the misery of the era. Both articles are interesting to get a sense of the duality of the time.
"The Seventies"An in-depth article describing the large shift in American culture, society, and politics between the 1960s-70s. Bruce Schulman is historically accurate and articulates his interpretations quite well in this article. About three quarters down in the article, Schulman discusses the shifts regarding relationship norms and particularly focuses on young people. Perhaps this is why Bobby was dating Marta, she had a fresh, new viewpoint on married life that he did not. She probably made him feel better about his situation.
|
"A Visual History"Click below for some images of New York City in the 1970s. Allen Tannenbaum collects an archive of photos that encompass the "mayhem" of the era.
|