The influence of pop culture on coming-of-age novels

THE INFLUENCE OF POP CULTURE ON COMING-OF-AGE NOVELS

CONTENT

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1. THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF POP CULTURE

1.1. Pop culture: concepts and main characteristics

1.2. Novels about growing up: genre features and development

CHAPTER 2. THE MEANING OF POP CULTURE ON COMING-OF-AGE NOVELS

2.1. The relationship between pop culture and coming-of-age novels

2.2. The influence of pop culture on the plots, characters and themes of coming-of-age novels

CHAPTER 3. ANALYSIS POP CULTURE ON COMING-OF-AGE NOVELS

3.1. The role of the media and the Internet in shaping ideas about growing up

3.2. Comparative analysis of coming-of-age novels of previous eras and modern ones under the influence of pop culture

CONCLUSIONS

LIST OF USED SOURCES

INTRODUCTION

Pop culture is an integral part of modern society, influencing various aspects of life, including literature. Coming-of-age novels are an important genre that explores the transition from childhood to adulthood. The influence of pop culture on such novels can have a significant effect on their content, structure, and readership.

The growing popularity of pop culture and coming-of-age novels in today's society opens up ample opportunities for studying their interaction and influence. Understanding this relationship can contribute to both literary research and the development of cultural knowledge.

Mass culture or pop culture, mass culture, the culture of the majority — the culture of everyday life, entertainment and information, prevailing in modern society. It includes phenomena such as mass media (including the Internet, television, radio), sports, cinematography, music, mass literature, visual arts, etc.

The content of mass culture is determined by daily events, aspirations and needs that make up the life of the majority of the population (that is, the mainstream).

The term “mass culture” arose in the 40s of the XX century in the texts of Max Horkheimer and Dwight McDonald, devoted to the criticism of television, and was widely spread thanks to the works of representatives of the Frankfurt Sociological School.

According to Dictionary.com, popular culture, or low culture as it is sometimes called, consists of “cultural activities or commercial products that reflect, suit, or appeal to the tastes of the general masses”. In other words, popular culture is accessible to the masses and has enormous appeal. Traditionally, the term was associated with the lower classes who were poorly educated, but after World War II, innovations in radio and television broadcasting or mass media led to significant cultural and social changes. Popular culture almost always relies on the mass consumption of mass media by masses of people on the planet. Popular culture is constantly evolving and is unique to the time and place in which it occurs. Social influences and institutions converge and diverge to appeal to a wide range of people in a culture. Some sociologists theorize that popular culture is a tool that elites use to control those below them in society, but others emphasize that popular culture can also be used as a means of rebellion against the dominant culture. For our purposes, characteristics of popular culture serve social functions within cultures and can be found everywhere.

The purpose of the study is to determine the influence of pop culture on coming-of-age novels and to reveal the specifics of this interaction for a better understanding of literary and cultural processes.

The object of the study is about growing up.

The subject of the study is the influence of pop culture on adult novels.

Objectives of the study:

1. consider the concepts and main characteristics of pop culture;
2. to study genre features and development of coming-of-age novels;
3. identify the relationship between pop culture and coming-of-age novels;
4. identify the influence of pop culture on the plots, characters and themes of coming-of-age novels;
5. explore the role of mass media and the Internet in shaping perceptions of growing up;
6. analyze coming-of-age novels from previous eras and modern times under the influence of pop culture.

Research material. Coming-of-age novels are considered, such as: The Book Thief, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Outsiders, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Little Women etc.

Research methods. The following research methods were used: analysis, generalization, synthesis of data, etc.

Structure of work. The coursework consists of an introduction, six chapters, conclusions and a list of references (24 titles).

1. CHAPTER 1. THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF POP CULTURE

1.1. Pop culture: concepts and main characteristics

The formation and spread of mass culture is considered a phenomenon of the second half of the 20th century. “In the literal sense, it is a culture that finds demand in the main mass of the population, regardless of belonging to one or another nation, state” [23, p. 325]. Mass culture is generalized and relatively constant regardless of region or nationality.

The development of civilization and the transition from the industrial social system to the post-industrial era after the Second World War contributed to the active spread of mass culture. The possibilities and influence of mass media have increased, the quality and access to communications have improved, information technologies have developed rapidly, and the education of the population has increased. In this way, the opportunities for the spread of culture became greater, both as a whole and for each individual to become familiar with it.

“Mass culture” is one part of the global concept of “mass society”. For some time there was a division of culture into folk (traditional) and professional. Traditional culture mainly existed in villages, but the processes of urbanization and industrialization led to a significant decrease in its distribution and importance.

The beginning of the 20th century is a turbulent time of changes and transformations. This is a time of reconsideration or rejection of previously established norms and rules, a nihilistic attitude towards all human values. Liberation from restrictions on economic activity also led to the disappearance of restrictions on the self-development of culture.