What is the meaning of “Rebel Without a Cause”?

[LJYCarlo21]

I’ve heard the phrase “Rebel Without a Cause” and know it’s also a movie title. What does it actually mean, and how is it used in general conversation?

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[Jone]

Rebel Without a Cause is a term used to refer to an individual who rebels or defies authority without a clear reason or purpose. It is also the name of a well known 1955 movie of teenage rebellion with James Dean playing the lead role.

 

[Ila3743022]

“Rebel Without a Cause” refers to someone who rejects rules or authority without a clear reason or purpose. The phrase comes from the 1955 film starring James Dean, where the character acts out because of emotional struggles, not a specific cause.

 

[CandyBarff]

The phrase “Rebel Without a Cause” refers to someone who rebels or challenges authority, social norms, or expectations without a clear reason or purpose. It describes a person driven by inner conflict, frustration, or a search for identity rather than by a specific cause or injustice.

The term became famous from the 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean, which portrays disaffected youth struggling with alienation and misunderstanding in postwar American society. Since then, it’s often used to describe aimless rebellion or teenage angst.