Flannery O'Connor

Flannery O'Connor, who grew up to be an important voice in American Literature, was born into a Catholic family in Savannah, Georgia. When O'Connor was five her aunt gave her a chicken that could walk backwards, and surprisingly this led to her first experience of being a celebrity. News people filmed O'Connor with her trained chicken, and showed the film around the country.

O'Connor graduated from peabody Laboratory School in 1942. She then got admitted to Georgia State College for Women where she majored in English and Sociology.

Two novels and 31 short stories were written by O'Connor, as well as a number of reviews and commentaries. She was considered by many as a Southern writer in the vein of William Faulkner, often writing a Southern Gothic style. Her two novels were Wise Blood (1952) and The Violent Bear (1960).

O'Connor ceased away in 1998 but her reputation lives on.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flannery_O

Sandra Dee

Sandra Dee became a professional model by the age of four, progressing to television commercials, then to her first film, Until They Sail, in 1957.

Known for her gorgeous blonde look and natural acting skills, she won a Golden Globe Award for "Most Promising Newcomer" in 1958. She ruled the thearte floor flawlessly as her roles in critically acclaimed films were a success such as Imitation of Life, Gidget, and a Summer Place (all in 1959). By the 1970s, Dee seldom took acting roles, but would made occasional television appearances.

Dee's personal life was as common as today's actors and actresses, stick-thin role models and trendy icons. She openly admitted that for most of her life she battled anorexia nervosa, depression and alcoholism.

Dee's constant battles of diseases and complications led to her death on February 20, 2005. Her life with Bobby Darin has been dramatized in the 2004 film Beyond the Saa, in which she was played by Kate Bosworth.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Dee

Rat Pack

The Rat Pack is a formed group of popular entertainers who performed during the mid years of the 1950s and 1960s. The group consisted of famous stars such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawform and Joey Bishop. The Rat Pack also had female participants such as movie icons: Shirley MacLaine, Lauren Bacall, and Judy Garland.

The term "Rat Pack" was announced by Lauren Bacall when she witnessed a group of friends (including Frank Sinatra) returning from a night in Las Vegas, wearied and tired; she said words to the effect of "You look like a goddamn rat pack," referring to the tired and haggard appearance of the other members of the group.

Sinatra and friends had no idea their band would make entertainment history. The group was remarkable for its upbeat entertainment style and smooth musical and comedy routines, many of which were adlibbed.

As of 2006, Joey Bishop is the only male member of the Rat Pack who is still alive.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_Pack

*Cultural Reference List 1-3*

Mary Shelley was born on 1797 in London, England. Percy Bysshe Shelley was born on 1972 in Livorno, Italy. It was fate that brought these two famous writer and novelist together as they were one of the most famous couples in history of literature. Ruled by their undying love for each other, they eloped in hopes of finding peace.

Strangely, Blue referenced Percy and Mary as her own connection toward her father. The view one may have when finding out that Percy and Mary were lovers when reading can make one wonder if Blue has a intimate incestive relationship with her father, a thought ridiculous to the core, but not fully implausible.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Shelley

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Bysshe_Shelley