Easy Rider :: essays research papers

Numerous works of art have been produced by great American artist. "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller and Edith Wharton’s "Roman Fever" are two stories that can easily be compared and contrasted to the movie Easy Rider. Easy Rider is the 1960’s "Road Film" tale of a search for freedom in a corrupt and conformist America. "The Crucible" can relate to the world seen in Easy Rider. Unlike "The Crucible" Edith Wharton’s "Roman Fever" would not understand the world represented in Easy Rider. In the movie Easy Rider Jack Nicholoson’s character George Hanson comes in contact with two long-haired social misfits Wyatt and Billy. Wyatt and Billy are different from George and are accustomed to an alternative lifestyle. This alternative lifestyle is appealing to George and he decides to travel with his new friends as they journey to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Along the way the trio run in to trouble. They travel through a small American town and the local townspeople who do no like them because of their appearance. Later on, the three men are attacked by the townspeople and George is brutally beaten to death. This is very similar to the executions that took place in The Crucible. In The Crucible, many people were accused of being witches and worshipping the devil even though they were not. An example of this would be John Proctor. He was accused of devil worship because he was singled out by his peers who were looking for someone to blame. Much like George, John was an innocent man who died because an enraged group of people let there emotions get the best of them. John could sympathize with George because of the similarity of the injustice done to both of them. In the short story "Roman Fever," the characters Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade are two wealthy widows that are reflecting on their lives together. We see that they are people of a high social standing. They talk about their pampered lifestyles and plan for their daughters futures. These woman would not understand the life of a "hippie" living in 1960’s America, nor would they approve. Wyatt and Billy were used to living on the open road and going where the wind takes them. They were rebellious and completely carefree. Mrs. Ansley and Mrs.