Tarzan Of The Apes
Tarzan of the Apes was as much a man of the African jungle, as he was a part of every Victorian man faced with the changing Western frontier. Tarzan is a man born with the instinct of civility, and the potential to grow into a respectable man. Yet, because of his up bringing by wild beasts, he has become savage. This could almost be used as a metaphor for the changing era of the late nineteenth century, and early twentieth century. It illustrates the potential of an average American to become a respectable Victorian man, but by being exposed to ?poor culture,? loses this ability. Many writers of the time expressed a very opinionated view of the new types of media brought upon mass culture. Quite a few had a view that the new styles arising were a bad influence, and would degrade society.
Take for example Sumner?s writing, What Our Boys Are Reading. He preaches to middle class parents on how they have failed to take note on what their children are reading. Instead of reading the classical material that will sharpen their intellect, they are reading periodicals and magazines that are bound
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