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Essay / Social Darwinism in the 1920s and Movie College by...
The idea of Social Darwinism influenced Americans, particularly in the early 1920s. The idea of survival of the fittest shows that the body is more important to integrate into society. Additionally, physical fitness is considered the key to success and a way to integrate into society. If someone is not physically fit, they will be isolated. Buster Keaton's film "College" (1927) introduces the idea of physical literacy in college life and how physical fitness is a key to success that leads to effectiveness in society. In the 1920s, people believed that if the body is fit, it will reflect on the mind and if there is fitness in society, it will translate into effectiveness in society. This idea has resulted in a society that focuses more on physical training than the mind. As shown in the movie, Jeff, the jock, is the most popular guy in school because he is physically fit and all the girls are around him. He also attracted public attention and the boys supported him while he received his certificate because he was an athletic champion. However, Buster, the "mama's boy", who doesn't care about sports and all his focus on books and studies, behaves like a crazy person who knows nothing about life, from wearing clothes to when opening an umbrella. He also did not have popularity among his classmates because he was against physique and did not play sports. At that time, everyone who was against sports and physical culture was considered a laggard. Additionally, if someone does not support or get involved in sports, they will be isolated from society. Buster faced his first isolation when he started talking about books and studies while showing that he was against sports and thought that people would not benefit from sports, because... ... middle of paper ...... a problem and I went through an obstacle and reached the room and started fighting with Jeff until he fled. While trying to save Mary, he did everything he couldn't do before: hitting baseballs, jogging, high jumping, and javelin. At that moment, Mary realized that being fit isn't everything. Then they decided to get married, at the end of the film we see that Mary was reading a book with Buster and this means that the period of social Darwinism has reached its end. To summarize, Social Darwinism has influenced American society to achieve its education. and has become an integral part of their culture making fitness a key to success over time. The film “College” in some way presents the impact of Social Darwinism on American society, particularly in university life. Showing Buster marrying Mary using his fitness showed how fitness is the key to success..