Throughout these essays, Didion asserts that there’s been a disconnect between generations that is leading to a moral decline best typified by the rise of the <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Symbols & Motifs" href="https://www.supersummary.com/slouching-towards-bethlehem/symbols-and-motifs/#207987">counterculture</a> movement, which Didion sees as a naïve group of young people with generally well-meaning political stances undone by their lack of seriousness or rigor of thought. The counterculture viewed nonparticipation in society as a radical act, and Didion presents it instead as the act of a generation that is lost in their search for purpose and a meaningful life. Didion offers up several explanations for this shift, all of which culminate in the idea that somehow the responsibility to educate people about “the rules of the game” has been abdicated, either because of a dereliction/absence on the part of the previous generation or on that generation’s own unspoken disillusion with American life (123). The title essay of the collection paints the counterculture as a grim, lost generation, while Didion’s portrait of Joan Baez presents something that’s more akin to optimistic naivete. In either case, Didion is careful to not condemn particular individuals, seeing instead that something has gone wrong in the systems of belief. Her essay “On Morality” clarifies what she sees as the problem: a rise of moral absolutism that allows for a self-righteous belief that a person’s individual moral stance is the correct one.

The Decay of America’s Moral Fabric

The Effects of Hollywood and the Media

The Author’s Relationship to Herself

Literary Area of Study

American Literature

Values & Ideas

Appearance Versus Reality

Humanities

Books About Art

Books & Literature

History: U.S.

Books on U.S. History

Nonfiction

Essays & Speeches

Inspiring Biographies

Journalism Reads

Society

Nation & Nationalism

Vietnam War

Joan Didion

Adult

Essay Collection

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Slouching Towards Bethlehem and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Summary and Study Guide

contentWarning

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Life Styles in the Golden Land”

Part 1, Essay 1

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Part 1, Essay 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Essays 2-3

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Part 1, Essays 2-3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Essays 4-7

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Part 1, Essays 4-7 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Essay 8

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Part 1, Essay 8 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Personals”

Part 2, Essays 9-11

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Part 2, Essays 9-11 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Essays 12-13

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Part 2, Essays 12-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Seven Places of the Mind”

Part 3, Essays 14-15

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Part 3, Essays 14-15 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Essays 16-20

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Part 3, Essays 16-20 Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Key Figures

theme

Themes

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Important Quotes with Page Numbers

Vocabulary

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Vocabulary

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Essay Topics

Quiz

Slouching Towards Bethlehem Quiz

Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Themes

Related Titles

Featured Collections