Richard Weight not only brings us up to the cult’s revival in the late 70s – played out against its own soundtrack of Quadrophenia and the Jam – but reveals Mod to be the DNA of British youth culture, leaving its mark on glam and Northern Soul, punk and Two Tone, Britpop and rave.
Offering a thorough exploration of modern Britain's events, key figures, and themes, this book serves as an essential resource for both students and general readers. It delves into the intricate social and political landscape of recent history, providing valuable context that enhances understanding of contemporary British culture.
Introduction -- 1. 'New Faces, Old Hands': The Making of Porridge -- 2. 'Rough Justice': Class and Power in Porridge -- 3. 'Men without Women': Sex and family in Porridge -- 4. 'Ways and Means': Sexuality, race and nation in Porridge -- 5. On the Rocks: Porridge goes to America -- 6. 'You can't buck the system': Screening Porridge -- 7. Going Straight: Freedom and restraint after Porridge -- 8. 'I ain't coming back': The legacy of Porridge -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Credits -- Index.
The period 1940-1960 was a time of considerable change in British society. It saw the emergence of mass democracy, a world war and then unprecedented affluence. Change brought uncertainty among Britain's elites, which in turn encouraged them to reflect more acutely on the direction the nation was taking. Questions were posed: what was the social role of ordinary men and women in 20th-century Britain? What were their needs, their rights, their responsibilities? How did they stand in relation not only to the State but to their regions and communities? And how were those objects of loyalty or disloyalty defined? Who, in other words, were the British, and by what processes did they come to be so considered?; The contributors explore the development of these ideas by a variety of individuals and organizations, and the relationship between these opinion-makers and political parties. They also examine the extent to which their conclusions were translated into social policy in an attempt to shape the evolution of modern Britain.