Introduction to the Frontier in American History and the myth of the American West with the Cowboy as archetypal hero who sacrifices his life for the sake of the Community.
The Myth of the Wild West
Introduction: "Come to Marlboro Country where the flavor is"
The photos show that the dream of the West is still alive. They can also bring more Marlboro ads they find in magazines. Students can be also asked what they know about the West, Cowboys and Western movies. Text on the Marlboro Man. [] [more.....]
The Importance of the Frontier in American Histroy
Frederick Jackson's Famous essay on the Closing of the American West. [more....]
LINKS
About the lives
of cowboys
IInterestiung site about cowboys past and present. [more,,,,]
FILM TIPS FOR TEACHING
An excellent movie which introduces the West as the land where you become an American. [more....]. See also The Return of a Man called Horse
Here is also an interesting site on Cluturte and Traditions of Natve Americans as seen throught the movies. According to Lisa Shea "A Man called Horse" mostly authentic "We don't get translations of all the Lakota language, nor is the movie "dubbed" in English. Instead, you have to listen to the native language and try to learn as you go what they are saying. There are of course English sections where Morgan is talking to himself or to another captive in the group. The clothing, the homes, the ceremonial lodge are all quite fascinating to see. Many of the actors were from the Sioux reservation and knew how to do these things properly. (Lisa Shea, 2008, A Man called Horse]: This is also the first movie besides "Little Big Man, which reassesses America's Past critically.
An Excellent western which deals withe the Cowboy as the archetypal and angelical hero. [more....]
BOOK TIPS
Owen Wister:
The Virginian
This is the novel which laid the foundation of the Cowbody Hero which later appeared in production like High Noon, Shane or True Grit. In the 60ies there was a popular TV-series based on the characters, calles The Virginian.
Further Western TV-Shows which advocated the Wild West were High Chaparrel and of course Bonanza.