Thomas Campbell's Easy Rider reflections
Easy Rider portrays many aspects of the hippie or countercultural movement that took place in the 1960s. These included freedom, love and peace, and anti-materialistic views. Wyatt and Billy’s drug use in the film showed that they follow this hippie or countercultural movement, as well as freedom by dropping out and traveling around the country. According to miller dropping out is “the disowning of a life oriented toward work, status, and power; it was a search for poverty, simplicity, and new ideas” (pp. 110). Hippie ideals in the movie were shown both in a positive and negative light. Negatives included that they were rude and lacked respect for others, and seemed to enjoy causing discomfort for those who had other beliefs. However there were also positive traits. They appreciated people helping them out, and gave help to those who they could. The actual culture of hippies was seen in a negative light. They loved being free to do whatever whenever they wanted and were violent towards what they would define improper behavior.
Costello explains, “The young of the 60's had contended that their culture was based not on exploitation but on love, not on violence but on peace, not on restraints but on freedom” (pp. 187).
It reflected the ideology of freedom, love and peace prevalent in the youth subculture at the time. These themes of freedom, love and peace were present throughout the movie through the characters in the film. Wyatt and Billy allowed anyone to join and come along with them on their trip across the country. An example of this is when they are at the commune. They were one huge group with totally different backgrounds but that didn’t bother them. The most significant part of the movie was the fact that Wyatt and Billy were out on the open road, which is a great freedom symbol. The guys had no schedule or detailed travel plans. They were just out on the open road with their bikes.