Lectures in History

Gilded Age Bohemians

5 snips
Jun 29, 2025
Ryan Anderson, a professor from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, delves into the vibrant Bohemian culture that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He explores the origins in France and its American evolution, where artists rejected societal norms to embrace creativity and community. The conversation touches on the rise of the Ashcan School, which depicted gritty urban life, and the profound impact of Bohemian ideals on modern youth and feminism, illuminating their revolutionary spirit in shaping societal values.
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INSIGHT

Bohemians Reject Respectable Culture

  • Bohemians rejected respectable culture to produce provocative art and challenge societal norms.
  • They saw themselves as alternatives to the prevailing high culture, promoting freedom from Victorian expectations.
INSIGHT

Authorship Professionalizes Diversity

  • The professionalization of authorship enabled diverse backgrounds to join Bohemian culture.
  • Publishing shifted from genteel pursuit to commercial endeavor, democratizing literary participation.
INSIGHT

Young America Embraces Inclusivity

  • A new generation, 'young America,' felt unbound by past norms and sought cultural change.
  • This generation embraced inclusivity, valuing equal intellectual contribution from women unlike earlier Bohemians.
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