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History

Britain's victory in the first world war set the country up for a prosperous decade. The 1920's, referred to as the roaring twenties, was a time of peace and economic incline. Many suppliers and manufacturers of wartime goods became very rich, allowing many aristocrats and upper-class citizens to revel in their success. The 1920's saw many changes including the emergence of night clubs, jazz clubs and cocktail bars and the rise of female empowerment. Because the war demanded that women take up work, primarily in factories, they were able to make their own money. This new sense of independence partnered with the the ability given to women over the age of 21 to vote gave them confidence and empowerment that was reflected in many aspects of 1920's culture.

Bright Young People

The Bright Young People personified the values of the new decade. This group of young aristocrats and artists, all of whom were too young to have fought in the war themselves, were viewed as "London's lost generation". Author of "Bright Young People", DJ Taylor describes the era as " a very pessimistic age that was always looking over it's shoulder at the black dog trailing it".

The life of a Bright Young Person revolved mostly around party life including alcohol, drugs and sex. The groups status and mischief is exemplified in a excerpt from "Bright Young People" , " the tradition started late one evening, when a small group of friends decided to have a not-so-ordinary scavenger hunt. As they were terribly well connected and knew everybody in upper British society, [the hunt] items would be things like the prime ministers pipe or a pair of corsets owned by a celebrated actress". The group of estimated 2,000 people were involved in many parties including the bath and bottle party, the circus party, the hermaphrodite party, the great urban Dionysia and the Mozart party which catered food from a cookbook owned by Louis XVI. The exploits of the Bright Young People were published in the papers, earning them many followers with mixed opinions.

The group was obsessed with jazz music because they viewed it as modern and anti-establishment. They were frequent users of alcohol and drugs including cocaine, hashish, and heroin. They hung out in cocktail bars and jazz clubs in London where they spent their days and nights dancing and drinking.

The group also coined many slang words like "darling", "divine", and "bogus".

Women of the group identified as flappers. Women cut their hair into bobs, wore short skirts and lots of makeup. Bright Young Men behaved in an effeminate manner and usually wore makeup and flamboyant clothes. The group embraced typically "gay" stereotypes even though homosexuality was illegal at the time.

There are several theories concerning the motivation for their erotic behavior. Some suggest that their behavior was a direct consequence of the Great War, saying that the death of so many young men may have inspired them to seize the day. Others suggest that it was a rebellion against their parents values and those of pre-war Britain. It may have also been a response to the changing political, social, and economic issues that followed the war. With many aristocrats now suffering, young people may have been inspired to embrace a new sense of independence.

Influence and Impact

The group is credited with "bringing senseless beauty back into the world" by rebelling against social code. As a part of the "Lost Generation" many young people found creative outlets to express themselves during the changing times. F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway were both heavily inspired writers.

The Bright Young Things are also credited with starting the modern cult of celebrity. Because the group included many journalists, poets and photographers, details of many events were exaggerated and changed to appeal to the public. Many members of the group also used their connections to boost their own careers.

Social columnists and The Bright Young Things worked in tandem to publish stories that would fascinate the public. The group would give inside information on their whereabouts and party details and in return, journalists would write elaborate pieces about them, increasing their following and fame. The more details the publishers received, the more papers they would sell. The public often waited eagerly for parties to break out, anticipating a good story. Bright Young Things advertisements, jokes, and novels became incredibly popular. The most famous novel during the time was Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh, written in 1930, the novel satirizes the frivolous lifestyle carried out by the group.

Death of the Party

The Bright Young People saw and end in the late 1920's. The late 1920's was a period of mass economic decline and unemployment in Britain. The wild party life soon became distasteful and the public soon become irritated with the group and their lives of excess. Publicity is said to have killed the group. Taylor claims, "eventually everything about them became self conscious, and their spirit was diluted by less charming and talented hangers on and copycats". Their final party was in 1931, titled the Red and White Ball. The party warranted a red and white only dress code and served red and white food. The bash was received with much hostility and irritation by the media, which signaled for the end of the Bright Young Things.

Some members lived to have notable careers while others found the party life hard to quit. Later in life, Bryan Guinness, beer heir and former member of the Bright Young People denied that he was ever a member. Presumably, he and many others found the whole thing to be embarrassing.