The Unseen Connection

Words relating to the 1980s: bright colors, crimped hair, Madonna, and flat-tops; words relating to Colonial America; farming, Christianity,  Thanksgiving, and pantaloons.  To the average reader these two periods in American History have nothing in common, but those with the intelligence of Benjamin Franklin, the writings and arts from these periods are connected in more ways than one. Take for instance Weird Science, a quintessential 80s comedy, can be linked to the words of Benjamin Franklin, Jonathan Edwards, and J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur. Weird Science and early American Writers are related through themes of conformity, growth, and self-discovery all of which can be shown through Lisa in Weird Science.  Edwards shows the use of fear to create conformity just like in high school.  Crèvecoeur tells the tale of new experiences and the start of a new life. Franklin shares his growth from childhood infatuations to adult like maturity. He finds that the desires of his youth no longer apply to his adulthood. The ideas of early American Literature are themes that are not unique to that particular period of time. Trials and tribulations are a common part of the human experience. People use conformity as a way to prevent these pains and therefore are able to discover themselves and grow as a person. This being said, The themes in American literature are universal throughout time. The differences in plot and opportunities may be different, but the messages are the same. The story of Wyatt, Gary, and Lisa while incredibly idiotic shares an interesting perspective on the connection between Early America and the 1980s. Lisa may be from the 80s, but her presence can be felt all around.