As a protagonist, the flapper typically falls into one of two tropes: the modern woman who successfully navigates the changing world, like Lorelei in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, or the “fallen flapper” who is punished for her wild and unconventional behavior, like the main characters in The Flapper Wife,Sandy, and Chickie. These women only find happiness when they renounce the flapper lifestyle and settle into their roles as dutiful wives and mothers. As a love interest to a male protagonist, the flapper is often a temptress who challenges his morality or leads him astray.
The Flapper Wife, by Beatrice Burton (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1925) Helen Farr Sloan Library & Archives, Delaware Art Museum
This is the story of a beautiful but selfish young flapper named Gloria, who grew up poor but was spoiled by her parents so she does not know how to cook, clean, or even go grocery shopping. Gloria marries Dick, an older man she does not love and who has fooled her into thinking he’s rich, but her “modern living” quickly depletes what little money he does have. After a series of terrible events brought on by Gloria’s wild flapper lifestyle, she finally realizes she does love her husband after all, and that the only thing that will truly bring her happiness is to devote her life to being a dutiful wife and mother.
The Flapper Wife (Cleveland: Sam Fox Pub. Co., 1925) Helen Farr Sloan Library & Archives, Delaware Art Museum
Burton's romance stories were first serialized in newspapers before Grosset and Dunlap published them in low-cost, hard-cover editions. The Flapper Wife was so popular that it inspired this song, with a meoldy by composer Carl Rupp and Burton's own words as the lyrics.
Unknown artist Poster for His Jazz Bride (Warner Brothers, 1926) Helen Farr Sloan Library & Archives, Delaware Art Museum
The Flapper Wife was adapted into the silent film His Jazz Bride in 1926. While the film’s storyline differs somewhat from the book, the core message remains unchanged: Gloria, the self-indulgent flapper who prioritizes pleasure over her marriage, only finds genuine happiness once she embraces a more settled life.
Chickie, by Elenore Meherin (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1925) Helen Farr Sloan Library & Archives, Delaware Art Museum
Advertised as a "hidden, tragic chapter from the life of a girl of this strange today," Chickie is about a young stenographer whose decadent, flapper lifestyle becomes her downfall when she has a child out of wedlock. The film adapatation, starring Dorothy Mackaill, was released the same year.
Sandy, by Elenore Meherin (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1926) Helen Farr Sloan Library & Archives, Delaware Art Museum
Though the dust jacket claims the heroine "defied Life's Conventions in her search for THRILLS," Sandy is the sad story of a woman who escapes an abusive marriage only to be killed by her abusive boyfriend. Advertisements for the film adapation also insinuate that Sandy's flapper lifestyle was responsible for her downfall by billing it as the story of "a jazz-mad girl [who] marries a wealthy man."
Advertisements for the film Sandy
Go Home Little Girl, Go Home (McKeesport, PA: Lew and Al Mercur, 1925) Helen Farr Sloan Library & Archives, Delaware Art Museum
The lyrics to Go Home Little Girl, Go Home warn of the danger hiding behind the bright lights and excitement of the city and advise young women to go home before it’s too late:
You life the bright lights and all that is gay You like to turn night time into day But bright lights are red and mean danger So let no one lead you astray Go home, little girl, go home You shouldn’t be here all alone You found the bright lights when you went away You found that you had a price to pay But now that you know there is danger So listen to what I’ve to say Go home, little girl, go home You shouldn’t be here all alone I had a sweetheart that looked just like you You are too nice for the things that you do Isn’t there someone who really does care for you? For this world is so great And it might be too late So go home, little girl, go home
