myths of the west 3
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University of Texas *
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320R
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Arts Humanities
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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2
Uploaded by SuperHumanCobraPerson92
A romanticized version of the "West" now exists in American literature and popular culture. This
view of the West distorts the true history of the region and the era. After completing the textbook
reading and the readings provided on Canvas, consider the following questions: Why do you think the myths of the West developed? How are they different from reality? What role did Native Americans or African Americans play in shaping the West? What about women & railroad workers? Why are these contributions less well known? What can you learn and consider from Turner's work or John Gast's painting? Are there perspectives or people that contributed to the West that need to be acknowledged?
(There are lots of questions here and they can take you in a variety of directions - you do not need to answer them all!)
1.
Address the questions asked in the paragraph above in at least a 300 word post
2.
Include at least one question the readings raised for you
3.
Reply to
at least two of your classmates'
posts and attempt to answer their question
America's tainted image of the "West" had certainly been put through its paces again by American literature and popular culture. Their source lies in different historical, cultural and economic factors which served to shape a glorified account of the West.
The myths of the West developed for several reasons. One factor was that, as the United States moved westward there was a conscious effort to create an image of national identity and pride. The result was stories and legends which glorified the image of bravery, rugged individualism, and triumph over adversity. Such stories conveniently ignored Western harsh realities, conflicts and injustice to various groups.
The contrast between these myths and reality is stark. The romanticized version often leaves out or glosses over Native American land being violently
appropriated, the abuse of African American labor and so forth. However, in practice the entry of settlers into what was to become north America caused wholesale deportation of all Native Americans and large portions were even reduced for whom a leveling director might have Planned. African Americans,
particularly after the Civil War, sought better opportunities but encountered discrimination and violence in the West. The West 's development was also shaped by women, railroad workers and others who are more easily missed in historical narratives.
These contributions are not as well-known, because they come up most often
in historical documents fraught with systemic biases, education and media that favor certain narratives over others. Understanding also depends on the pleasure of seeing oneself accurately portrayed.
These myths are reflected and perpetuated in Turner's work, John Gast's American Progress. Turner's thesis on the significance of the frontier in
shaping American identity highlighted the concept of rugged individualism but overlooked the complexities of interactions and conflicts with various groups. Gast's painting glorifies westward expansion but notably portrays Native Americans as retreating in the face of progress, reinforcing the idea of
manifest destiny and
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