Question

Consider the following statement by the critic Robert Sklar: "In the first half-decade of the Great Depression, Hollywood's movie-makers perpetrated one of the most remarkable challenges [to traditional American] values in the history of mass commercial entertainment." Do you agree? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Hollywood's movies during the Great Depression challenged traditional American values and reflected a shift towards community and welfare. They provided an escape and also reflected changes in attitudes towards sex and sexuality.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the critic Robert Sklar, Hollywood's movie-makers challenged traditional American values during the first half-decade of the Great Depression. The movies of that time reflected a shift in values, emphasizing community and the welfare of the whole over individualism and material success. Movies provided an escape for people during the hard times and also reflected an increased interest in sex and sexuality. They served as a barometer of American values and their challenges, reflecting the changing cultural norms of the era.