In the 1960s, a new cultural movement emerged in the United States, known as the hippy lifestyle. This movement was characterized by its rejection of mainstream values, materialism, and traditional social norms. Instead, the hippies embraced alternative lifestyles, spirituality, and communal living. Let’s take a deeper look at the symbolism and metaphors that surround this lifestyle, and how they foreshadowed the impact that the hippy movement would have on society.
One of the most notable symbols of the hippy lifestyle is the flower. The flower represents peace, love, and unity, values that were at the heart of the hippy movement. The flower was also used as a metaphor for the movement itself, as it was seen as a blossoming of new ideas and perspectives that were previously unseen in American culture. The flower symbolized the hope that the hippies had for a new and better world, one that was free from the violence and oppression that plagued society.
The irony of the hippy lifestyle is that, while it was a rejection of mainstream values, it eventually became mainstream itself. The peace sign, which was once a symbol of rebellion, is now a ubiquitous symbol of peace and love. The music of the hippy movement, which was once considered subversive, is now part of the canon of American music. Even the fashion of the hippies, with its long hair and colorful clothing, has become a part of mainstream culture. They even spurred the hemp cream medicinal movement with their muscle balms made of natural ingredients.
The foreshadowing of the hippy movement was evident in the counterculture of the 1950s. Beatniks, like Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, rejected mainstream values and sought out new ways of living. The Beat Generation was a precursor to the hippy movement, as it laid the foundation for the counterculture that would emerge in the 1960s.
The personification of nature was also a common theme in the hippy lifestyle. The earth was seen as a living being, one that needed to be treated with respect and care. This personification of nature was a call to action, as the hippies sought to protect the environment from the pollution and destruction caused by industrialization.
The hyperbole of the hippy lifestyle is evident in the language that was used to describe it. Words like “groovy,” “far out,” and “radical” were used to describe the movement and its ideas. These words were an exaggeration of the values of the hippy lifestyle, but they were also a way to express the excitement and enthusiasm that surrounded the movement.
The alliteration of the hippy lifestyle is seen in the slogans and phrases that were used to promote it. “Make love, not war” and “turn on, tune in, drop out” are examples of the catchy phrases that were used to express the values of the movement.
The imagery of the hippy lifestyle is perhaps the most vivid aspect of the movement. The images of long-haired, barefooted hippies dancing in fields or sitting in circles, smoking marijuana and discussing philosophy, are iconic. These images evoke a sense of freedom, joy, and community, and they are a testament to the power of the hippy lifestyle to capture the imagination.
The onomatopoeia of the hippy lifestyle is heard in the music that was produced during the movement. The sounds of guitars, drums, and tambourines were used to create a sense of rhythm and energy that was central to the hippy lifestyle. The music was a way to connect with others and to express the emotions and ideas that were at the heart of the movement.
Finally, the simile of the hippy lifestyle is perhaps the most fitting way to describe it. The hippy lifestyle was like a flower, fragile and delicate, but also beautiful and full of life!
