As the term 'teenager' was being developed, as result was much of the mass media and undustry started to create facilities and products suitable to this age group. Which lead to an increase in spending and consumerism.
Holden highlights this through his venture to the cinema with "old Ackley" and then to buy a "hamburger" - it is clear that this relfects the era, many teenagers began to have their own money, spending it the way they wanted.
At this time the development of Hollywood and the movies became part of the dominating popular culture for teens such as Holden.
Music and popular culture began to revolve around the youth, many teens bought their own records etc.
Although Holden depicts himself as a non-conformist within the consumerist society, he still partakes in the mass consumerism by buying the "little shirley beans" record for Phoebe.
Mass media made cars into a status symbol, continually encouraging the youth to buy cars - Stradlater and Jane take "Ed Banksy's" car on a date. Stradlaterb uses the car to project himself as being the typical popular teenager, showing himself and the car as a status symbol.
Clear Holden is from a wealthy family, as he continually spends all the money he has after leaving Pencey (taxis, drinks for the girls at the bar, prostitute etc.) At this time a lot of teenagers would have recieved allowances - providing them with some independence as they could spend money on whatever they desired.
Almost snobbish attitude when talking about suitcases - Elkton Hills (school) "Dick Slagle", was critical of Holden's suitcases calling them "bourgeois" - Jealousy from lower classes, as they could not afford the 'pay and go' spending fever that hit America at this time. "Money makes you blue as hell".
Portrays Holden as being non-conformist to the materialism of society at the time.

	Created by Kerry1234 about 10 years ago

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Post war Consumerism