THE WILD WEST- AMERICA’S MYTH OF THE GARDEN

Created by Anthony Hopper

The Wild West - Introduction Background Key Myths The Cowboy Movies Literature Those Left Out Pernicious Stereotypes Identifying Myths and Archetypes

Photo courtesy of Renett Stowe (2010, July 27). The American West. Located on Wikimedia and free to use via a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_American_West_(4959938663).jpg

The Wild West – Background• The American west (wild west)– The term (at the time) referred to

the still undeveloped portions of the western part of the U.S. • The size and location of this area changed over time, as new sections were

settled by non-Native Americans (U.S. citizens and recent immigrants).2 • A synonym - the American frontier2• The U.S. Census Bureau announced the closing of the frontier (eg. the

exploration and development of all western lands) in 1890.3

• In an 1893 speech, historian, Frederick Jackson Turner, conceptualized, summarized, and even helped to further many of the key American myths centering on these western lands.3

• Many of Turner’s beliefs no longer hold up to scrutiny; however, the myths, which he helped perpetuate, still influence many Americans today. 1,3

• Many of Turner’s views – while popular - do not adhere to modern ideals of dignity and respect. 1

The Wild West – Key Myths

Key Myths Surrounding the American West

• Font of Individualism and especially of “individualistic democracy”3

• Frontiersmen/settlers as hardworking, self-reliant individuals3

• U.S. citizens as creative and inventive3• Americans as intelligent yet practical –

able to assess problems and find solutions3

• The U.S. as the “land of freedom and opportunity” 3

• Focus on American exceptionalism3

Zachariah Price Dewitt Cabin in Butler County, OH

Photo courtesy of Nyttend. (2013, October). Zachariah Price Dewitt Cabin. Located on Wikimedia and free to use without restrictions. Retrieved from Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: :Zachariah_Price_Dewitt_Cabin.jpg.

The Wild West – The Cowboy• Most Americans are probably familiar with one key

archetype of the wild west mythos – the cowboy.4

• The cowboy (the mythological one) embodies a number of American ideals.4

• Strong in body and mind• Male• Highly individualistic but willing to cooperate to uphold the ideals of

democracy and capitalism• Self-reliant• Seemingly “invincible” (at least when he is fighting the bad guys)

The Wild West – Movies • Many popular American movies embody some of these

mythological ideals. Perhaps you have heard of these films?• Shane (1953)5

• The Magnificent Seven (1960)6

• True Grit [the remake] (2010)7

• And many others…

The Magnificent Seven trailer (links back to YouTube)

The Wild West – Literature• At the same time, numerous American authors have made their

living writing stories about the American west and its inhabitants. Just take a look at this list….

Western Authors: A Directory of Western Authors

Courtesy of Microsoft Office

The Wild West – Those Left Out• At the same time, these stories (films, books, etc.) have

traditionally left out some important groups of people.1

Photo courtesy of the New York Public Library – Wolcott, M. P. (1940, June). Located in Wikimedia and no restrictions on use. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rachel_D._ Moore,_home_management_supervisor,_giving_demonstr..._(3109741523).jpg

Rachel D. Moore, home management supervisor, giving demonstration in dusting plants

The Wild West – Pernicious Stereotypes• Or they perpetuate unfair, errant stereotypes…1

Photo located on Wikimedia Commons Edward S. Curtis. (1904). A Jicarilla Apache Man. Free to use. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Jicarilla_Man,_1904,_ Edward_S._Curtis_(sepia).jpg.

A Jicarilla Apache man

The Wild West – Identifying Myths and Stereotypes • Listen to the theme song8 from the hit television series,

Daniel Boone, which ran from 1964 through 1970.9 What myths and archetypes can you identify?

Daniel Boone theme song (links back to YouTube)

The Wild West - Conclusion

Background Key Myths The Cowboy Movies Literature Those Left Out Pernicious Stereotypes Identifying Myths and Stereotypes

Photo courtesy of Renett Stowe (2010, July 27). The American West. Located on Wikimedia and free to use via a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_American_West_(4959938663).jpg

The Wild West – America’s Myth of the GardenReferences

1. Ridge, M. (N.D.). Frederick Jackson Turner,"The Significance of the Frontier in American History," and the Gilded Age. Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center. Retrieved from http://www.rbhayes.org/hayes/content/files/Hayes_Historical

_journal/frederick_jackson_turner.htm.2. Anonymous (2013). Timeline: American Frontiers. PBS. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/

timeline/wild-west.3. The West Film Project and WETA. (2001). Frederick Jackson Turner. PBS. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/

s_z/turner.htm.4. Moskowitz, J. (2006). The Cultural Myth of the Cowboy, or, How the West Was Won. The Journal of American Popular Culture (1900-Present)

5(1). Retrieved from http://www.americanpopularculture.com/ journal/articles/spring_2006/moskowitz.htm.5. Guthrie, Jr., Sher, J, & Schaefer, J. (1953). Shane. IMDb. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046303/.6. Roberts, W. (1960). The Magnificent Seven. IMDb. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054047/.7. Coen, J., Coen, E., & Portis, C. (2010). True Grit. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1403865/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_wr#writers.8. Matson, V., & Newman, L. (1964). Daniel Boone TV Theme Song. Retrieved from http://fessfans.com/.9. Anonymous. (1964-1970). Daniel Boone [television series]. IMBd. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057742/.

The Wild West – Questions?

Courtesy of Microsoft