California Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

California Culture - Essay Example Surrounding of Frances (Gidget) and Mary Ann varies and it has impacted their psychology, behavioral patterns and life priorities. Gidget is a pretty sixteen-years-old girl, who has never faces serious difficulties and is absolutely inexperienced in love. Gidget is distinguished among her female friends and helpmates, who are keen on male hunting. This imaginary heroine embodied a real life prototype – Kohner’s daughter Kathy Kohner-Zuckerman. The writer described and analyzed his daughter’s summer, spent on the beach of Malibu. The Lawrences can be regarded as an example of usual middle-class American family of 1950th; they are united, happy and self-sufficient. Mary Ann is older than Francie and seems to be more experienced in life. She decided to live her native Cleveland and find a permanent job in San Francisco. On her arrival she rented an apartment at 28 Barbara Lane and suddenly came across socio-cultural diversity and dynamic urban life. Thus, two worlds of Francie and Mary Ann create a sharp contrast between Californian cultural layers. The author placed Frances in sea and sand romance and separated her from temptations and noise of Los Angeles. Major part of the plot developed on the beach in hot Californian summer. To spend summer, vacations or at least weekend in Malibu became popular and fashionable. â€Å"The story, set on the beaches of Malibu, told of the adventures of a young American girl and a group of surfers. The surf-star myth was under way, and, while late-1960s students were up in arms, a whole generation of surfing enthusiasts was crazy to brave the waves.† (Augustin 1998) Thus, story about Gidget and her adventures laid foundation of a new surfing trend in Californian sub-culture. Film with the same name with Sandra Dee made surfing and summer holidays in Malibu or any other beaches of California especially popular.