Amusing The Millions
Defying the traditional Victorian way of life, Coney Island at the beginning of the twentieth century had a profound impact on societal norms. Outside of Coney Island, women were often treated as inferior while men ruled the throne in nearly all aspects of life. However, within Coney Island the gender gap was equalized. Coney Island served as a catalyst to a change in the traditional mindset. In traditional society, women were resigned to the role of wife and homemaker. At Coney Island, however, women experienced more freedom of the opposite extreme. The hotels, amusement parks, and rides and events that the civilians encountered displays the immorality that was assumed at the turn of the century and the years leading up to women's suffrage. In contrast to the strict gender roles of genteel society, Coney Island provided an open minded and progressive atmosphere in which men and women could be equals.In refined society, men and women were two different types of social classes in themselves. Revolving around the sphere of the home, women followed the same gender role in all aspects of their life. Women were renowned as morally superior to men in that they were identified as the angel of the house.
This revolutionized lifestyle changed the way people in this era viewed life. These rides had visitors enjoying life to its maximum as opposed to the customary, labor-filled workday. All aspects of these rides romantically attracted both men and women together. They supported and nourished the family while at the same time working to ever improve the household. Steeplechase, Luna Park, and Dreamland were the backbone to the entire make up of Coney Island not only as a source of tourist attraction, but also as a new way of life. Kasson writes, "Instruments of production and efficiency were transformed into objects of amusement, and life around them lifted from dull routine to exhilaration pageantry" (Kasson 73). This transformation from the Victorian age to the modern world within Coney Island had a lasting effect on the lives of visitors. Kasson writes, "Thus Coney Island seemed charged with a magical power to transmute customary appearances into fluid new possibilities" (Kasson 53). Men and women began to enjoy themselves to an extent that had been absent in the past. These parks were designed to provide a new type of active entertainment that would sweep people away from the everyday worries and restraints of life, and open a new way of life that could only result in delight. They cleaned house throughout the day while simultaneously preparing meals for their family to consume.
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Acceptance Essays
