Topic > Jennifer Price's Perspective on American Culture and Its Values ​​in the 1950s, a Critical Review

In the essay “The Plastic Pink Flamingo: A Natural History,” Jennifer Price explores the intriguing character of the pink flamingo in America. It dives into the enigmatic symbolism of the flamingo and highlights aspects of the country's culture. Through the use of word choice and a sarcastic tone, Price provides insight into American culture and conveys his disgust for its values ​​in the 1950s. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Price begins his essay by explaining the origin of the flamingo's popularity. He points out that the flamingo's popularity grew on the premise that it was simply "a flamingo." His use of italics while stating the obvious pokes fun at the irrational mentality of American culture—acting foolishly to show off one's wealth to the world—that has led to the bird's popularity. Price finds the situation comical and conveys the irony of American antics. It alludes to a time when Americans hunted Florida flamingos to extinction for their resources, but it didn't matter: One hundred years later, flamingos would "emphatiously inscribe their own lawn" as a sign of leisure and extravagance. First, individuals decorated their lawns with a plastic flamingo to associate with the prosperous individuals in society, despite the bird being taken for granted and slaughtered in the past. The reader understands the correlation of the flamingo with the extravagance and luxury of the country and realizes the ignorant desire of Americans to express their status in society. Ultimately, the bird was a symbol of the American desire to flaunt their wealth and ignorance of American culture. Price goes on to say that the flashy color of the flamingo appealed to Americans in the 1950s. It describes the extravagant plethora of colors favored by the plastics industries, including “tangerine, baked magenta” and hot pink, which remained the dominant color of the decade. Its specificity underlines that coloring of products in the country was not necessary. Americans at the time undoubtedly wanted to celebrate and express their pride in a new era of prosperity following the Great Depression, even if it meant the production of lavish objects and opposition to traditional decorum. Additionally, Price provides examples of celebrities who sported pink luxuries such as Elvis Presley who "bought a pink Cadillac" after signing his first record contract. His association between pink and fame conveys that popularity was a valued aspect of American society. So the working class also bought pink products owned by famous people. Evidently, American culture has also been shaped by senseless desires for fame and adaptation to society. Jennifer Price also compares and contrasts the symbolism of the pink flamingo in America with other countries around the world. He says the flamingo had cultural importance in various countries, including Ancient Egypt, where it "symbolized the sun god Ra" and remains an "important motif" in Mexico and the Caribbean for art, so it's no wonder because he stood out in America. As other countries made the flamingo an important figure, Americans became attached to its image and began to implement the pink flamingo into the country's culture. Individuals desired attention or being noticed by others, which was expressed by their properties. It is evident that the country wanted to remain significant and relevant to the rest of the world. Noticeably, Price conveys that American culture of the time had become superficial. Keep in mind:.