Stories and Poetry of the 1950s

It is October, 1951. Hearings at the House  Un-American Activities Committee investigates communist activity in America and The United States is in the throws of the Cold War.  But in New York City, far away from the political scene, a different kind of pageantry takes place.  The New York Giants have inexplicably come back from 13 games down in September to catch the Brooklyn Dodgers and force a three game playoff.  With the series tied at one game a piece, the pivotal third game propels America firmly into the Post-Modern age.  

Read Red Smith's article Miracle at Coogan's Bluff and then Listen to Bobby Thomson's Shot Heard 'Round the World as called by Russ Hodges.  And then read the New York Times article discussing how the famous radio called survived in the days before YouTube.  

Next we will look at "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, and then the last short story we will read this week is John Cheever's "The Enormous Radio."  You have a homework assignment listed below.  

The Art in the 1950s changed the way American's perceived their culture