Modern+Dance,+Martha+Graham

Home 1920's Topics __1920’s Project Assignment__ Martha Graham/ Modern Dance Reyna Lusson
 * [[image:martha_graham.jpg width="322" height="322" caption="Martha Graham"]] || [[image:flappers2.jpeg width="410" height="326" caption="Flappers in the 1920s represend Modern Dance"]] ||
 * [[image:b6779b080ed8dd1ff43126d741f324b2.jpg width="245" height="301" align="center" caption="Graham dancing"]] || [[image:1920's_shoes.jpg width="315" height="310" caption="1920s dance shoes that represent Modern Dance"]] ||

__Task One__ Martha Graham was an independent spirit who paved the roads for modern dance in the 1920s. She empowered women by practicing a new type of dance in which women could love and express themselves. Graham “developed a form of expression that broke the traditional mold” and she “never wavered in her belief that movement could express inner feeling” (Kisselgoff). Graham helped to create a new era of dance and a new era of people, ultimately changing the arts forever.

Modern dance represented a new frontier and reflected the thoughts and opinions of people in the 1920s. Along with everything else in the 20s, modern dance was about exploration, freedom and new frontiers. Graham led a women’s movement with their bodies instead of their mouths; they silently made a political and social statement about women’s rights through dance.“The early moderns examined form and content, determined methods for composing dance, developed new movement vocabularies, and commented on larger cultural concerns” (The Birth of Modern Dance). Graham used modern dance to express herself and bring forth a new people and a new culture.

__Task Two__ Martha Graham had a very wide scope of influence. As appliances became more common, the working-class had more free time to enjoy the arts; this meant that the Graham had a larger audience, and therefore a larger influence. Since Graham influenced all of America, “she was both misunderstood and acclaimed. She was surrounded by debate throughout her career; few remained indifferent to her” (Kisselgoff). Although some reviews were poor, in the long-run she was popular and well liked; one describes her as "a gigantic figure” (Harmon). The fact that she was well known enough for Americans to have an opinion about her shows how broad her scope truly was.

In addition to an extensive influence, Martha Graham created a lasting legacy. Her influence went far beyond the1920s, and her influence can still be seen today. She “started not only a whole school of dance, but a whole new form of theater” (Harmon). Graham “broke boundaries by not only creating new ways of movement and examining new themes, but by literally changing the way people thought about dance” (The Birth of Modern Dance). Graham was able to make dancing accessible and relatable for every American, therefore creating a lasting legacy.

__Task Three __ Martha Graham is a symbol for women who chose to break boundaries and free themselves in the 1920s. Women lived in repression for centuries, and they were ready for a radical new way of life; through the arts, Graham represented the multitude of women who abandoned their conservative pasts and took on a new way of life. Graham proclaimed that “art reflects life”, and she “commented on larger cultural concerns” through her modern dance style (The Birth of Modern Dance). Graham empowered women all over America to take a stand and pursue a new way of living.

I would classify Martha Graham as an eventful hero. She did not begin the women’s revolution, nor did she create a new path for America; she did, however, play an important role in getting women active all over the nation. Ideas can’t even become actions until people like Martha Graham take a stand to show what they believe in; Graham “constructed artistic statements on the basis of real life or fundamental human themes” (The Birth of Modern Dance)—in other words, she passed along her message without the use of words. In summation, I would label Martha Graham as an eventful hero because she helped a movement that was already on its feet instead of creating a whole new path.


 * Great Man Continuum**


 * Great Man Criteria || ** 5=long-run ** || ** 4=wide-spread ** || ** 3=moderate ** || ** 2=short run ** || ** 1=little effect ** || ** 0=not at all ** ||
 * ** SIGNIFICANCE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT ** ||  || x ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * ** ENDURANCE OF LEGACY ** ||  || x ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * ** EXTENT OF INFLUENCE ** ||  || x ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * ** IMPACT ON DAILY LIFE ** ||  ||   || x ||   ||   ||   ||

Great ---Event Making ---MARTHA Eventful -Social Men --Hero GRAHAM Hero --Determinism


 * WORKS CITED:**

"The birth of modern dance." //The Center for Choreography//. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Feb. 2012. .

Harmon, Justin. "Martha Graham." //Pop Culture Universe: Icons, Idols, Ideas//.ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 6 Feb. 2012.

Kisselgoff, Anna. "Martha Graham Dies at 96; A Revolutionary in Dance." //New York// //Times// 2 Apr. 1991: n. pag. //The New York Times//. Web. 6 Feb. 2012. .

 Rubric for all three tasks:

Outstanding paragraphs include the following elements: ✓ Accurate power paragraph format with e ach paragraph citing evidence from three different sources. ✓ Correct research components such as credibility statement, internal citations, Works Cited entries ✓ Thoughtful and thorough response to the each prompt ✓ A variety of sentences with interesting, clear diction ✓ Photos exemplifying the influence of the individual and association or movement ✓ Place your topic on the Great Man Continuum; ✓ Complete the criteria table to justify the reasons for your placement.