I need help with topic sentence structure and making it flow better with the quotes... argumentative paper.


Thesis: In this paper, I am arguing that “the flapper” redefined traditional standards of women perceived by society defining the “new woman” with new behaviors, image, and sexual ideas.

Need help with thesis too please.



Due to the constant limitations that society placed on women, a number of women of the time would rebel against these traditional standards of society and seemingly “act out” against it. Since women were constantly told what to do and how to do it and didn’t have a mind of their own to decide what they wanted, needed, enjoyed, or desired, women began voicing their opposition to these cultural norms, which finally culminated in a series of progressive moves that were helping woman find a voice for themselves and were allowing women to explore their own personal desires and not be restricted to what society wanted. With the radical new trends in fashion, music, and the new freedoms of the women’s movement that helped women to get the courage to fight the societal norms that was once limiting them. Women discarding all notions of proper female behavior were feeding into already existing fear” (Soland 7).
The new woman was often referred to as “ the flapper.” The flapper was a new type of woman that demonstrated youth and what it stood for. They were the complete opposite of the traditional woman and personified that women’s movement and its resistance to traditional societal norms and rules for women. The flapper was known for defying the societal norms and making sure it was known that were not going to be constrained by what the current culture wanted from them, but were going to do what made them happy. Additionally, flappers were also very strong willed and even more outspoken. They advocated for women’s rights and equal opportunities, and as a result of their radical methods, have often been considered to be the “wildest of all generations” (Fischer 5). Further, Hirschbein stated that this new generation of women “ behaved reckless and irresponsible” (115). They often went out to night clubs and danced provocatively, constantly defying the rules that had been established long ago that women were not to expose their sexuality in public, which they often do “anyways” at jazz clubs and other nightlife venues. Women would drink and smoke in public, which was never done before, and began acting more and more like men of the time, embracing their cravings and desires, and speaking their minds. Women of the 1920’s were carefree and almost seemed to have a complete disregard for what society defined as morality and proper behavior, and in turn, defied the authorities and their so-called “peers” that spoke down to flappers and said they should be done away with. Women were now liberated and took every possible opportunity to flaunt it.
Fashion was also a big part of the changing image of women in the 1920s, which helped revolutionize how women were viewed because of how they dressed. Women at Smith College began to take part in the new dress reform movement and exposed their defiance of contemporary fashion by embracing the new and more “exposed” look that the flappers were now advocating. These women “aimed to bring fashion back in line with their understandings of appropriate self-presentation.” (Kleave, 1). The fashion during the time was changing greatly, and began focusing on a woman’s freedom and sexuality, and modeled itself after the flapper and how they dressed because the way a flapper dressed was often associated with the new empowerment and liberation that women of the time felt (Lantham, 1999). These new woman began to cut their hair short in a bob, which was much different than the traditional style of women’s hair from previous generations. The bobbed haircut was a popular style for women, however, it was argued that some thought of it as boyish or even masculine. However, those with the fashion hair cut stated that it was more geared to a youthful look rather than something boyish. The idea of having the bob cut was that it required little effort to maintain it. They wanted a hairstyle that they could style quickly that would also keep up with their new active lifestyles. More importantly, cutting the hair was a way to cut the ties to old traditional standards of women. By cutting their hair short they cut their ties to the old ways and now looked onto their new lives in society.
The women also began to wear short skirts compared to the long dresses and skirts that were once worn by women of that time. Under those shorter skirts they wore hosiery. Women also wore a lot of makeup that was very noticeable instead of the more natural look that women focused on in the past. They wore red lipstick that would stand out along with eyeliner darkening their eyes. In addition, women began to wear accessories, like high heels, jewelry, and other products that further flaunted their newfound sexuality and freedom. Some of the jewelry that they wore was long beaded necklaces. They also embellished themselves with brooches. Many of them dressed in a manner that exemplified a straight silhouette that were often above the knees and sleeveless. Women were now showing off their arms and necks in public that were not previously shown before. Women had a much diverse set of shoes as well; they ranged from heels to flats. Women no longer wore tight corsets because they wanted the freedom in their clothing to move more easily so they can dance. Their undergarments also changed, they now wore a different type of underwear it was easier to maneuver in. They can also get dressed faster to keep up with their fast paced life; this new undergarment was called “slip-ins.”
The “flapper” pushed the limits on expressing their sexuality in public. Women were now flaunting their sexuality and being more open about it especially in the public arena. In fact, it was thought of to be a “sexual revolution.” The sexual revolution involved revolutionary ideas on premarital sex. At the time this was unheard of. Women of that time were not allowed to have sex before marriage and if they did it were looked down on breaking the societal and gender norms. It was highly looked down on by previous generations. This was a time of women breaking through the limits on their sexuality and femininity that they were not able to express before.
Since women were so restrained they took this new time to really let loose and do what they want not thinking or even caring what other people thought let alone what society thought women should do and how they should act. “The granting the legitimacy of female sexual desire allowed women to discard a prudish and repressive sexual morality and engage in various forms of cultural and sexual experimentation.” (Soland, pg.6) Women looked at dating as an extracurricular activity. Women no longer dated to get married but they dated to have fun and enjoy themselves. This redefined the dating world for women in the 20s. The newfound sexuality gave way to women looking at marriage differently. They no longer looked at marriage to find a husband and settle down, to find a financial supporter but they wanted a marriage where there was intimacy and attractive to their husband. “As dating evolved into a major focus of campus life, being considered physically attractive and sexually available became the primary way to attain success with men, which was now essential to status and popularity among fellow students” (Kleave 4). Women were no looking for long-term commitments they just wanted to have fun. More importantly, women no longer wanted to have kids right away they wanted to wait as long as possible for marriage and children. During this time of carefree ideas when it came to sex and sexuality it was also a time for experimentation. Women at Smith’s college stated that, “romantic friendships among female students were discouraged as lesbianism came under suspicion at women's colleges” (Kleave 5). While many women were experimenting with men in open relationships there was also this new idea of women forming close relationships that was thought to be lesbian. Lesbianism was a new idea of sexual relations that became widespread over the 1920s.