RMS Titanic: creating an American obsession

The RMS Titanic is perhaps one of the most famous disasters in United States history. Despite being a disaster that was not even on United States’ territory, it impacted the United States like no other disaster had before. The magnificent ship that represented the culmination of Gilded Age and Industrial progress sank, something many believed was impossible. After the sinking, there was a high demand for information about the catastrophe and the passengers who died, and this was when Titanic Mania began. The United States has experienced 3 eras of obsession with the Titanic: 1912 and 1913, the 1950s, and the 1980s and 90s. Each generation told the story in a way suitable for their needs, and each emphasizes different parts of the Titanic narrative. This thesis analyzes why the Titanic was so popular in each era of Titanic Mania and how the story was told to fit each generation\u27s needs. This includes discussions of class divides, gender roles, and other key topics affecting each generation