Cowboy FASCINATION
Summary
In the U.S., wild west shows began in 1883 and continued until 1913. These shows were travelling performances that glorified the life of a cowboy, and often tended to portray anything but the actual life and brutality of cowboy life. The late 19th century saw a blast of American obsession and fascination over cowboys. They were featured in movies and comic books for children. The rapid spread of this glorifying life of a cowboy was catalyzed by art and literature, along with live performances like the one advertised in the picture above. The above image is a circus posters that portrays several cowboys attempting to round up cattle. On the bottom band, the title of the group, "A Company of Wild West Cowboys" is written in white, along with a smaller message that praised cowboys for their heroism. In reality, however, cowboys lived anything but a glamorous and adventurous life. With low pay and dangerous tasks, cowboys often suffered and resented the job.
Connection to the Thesis
This artifact connects to the thesis statement because it portrays the reality of the physical frontier, and the warped perception many Americans had about it. While certain elements of this advertisement are true, along with the myth it catalyzed, the majority of it was an over-exaggeration and essentially, there was too much "hype" about it. The one true idea was the idea of the west being an area for pioneers who were wishing for a new life, or a method to re-invent themselves. This artifact also portrays the effect that American creativity has had on American culture, as a substantial amount of creativity resulted in such an elaborate and appealing myth. Americans channeled their creative energies through mediums such as literature, art, performing, and other methods to convey this myth. A myth that was essentially the product of their imagination. This impacted the advancement of the frontier, because it added another "pull" factor to the West-- the West, with all it's adventures and heroic opportunities, seemed ever more appealing to the gallant pioneer. They were curious, and they wanted to seize the opportunity to become this glorious, American archetype-- the cowboy. Unfortunately, many found their dreams crumble in front of them as they were faced with the harsh reality of the West.
In the U.S., wild west shows began in 1883 and continued until 1913. These shows were travelling performances that glorified the life of a cowboy, and often tended to portray anything but the actual life and brutality of cowboy life. The late 19th century saw a blast of American obsession and fascination over cowboys. They were featured in movies and comic books for children. The rapid spread of this glorifying life of a cowboy was catalyzed by art and literature, along with live performances like the one advertised in the picture above. The above image is a circus posters that portrays several cowboys attempting to round up cattle. On the bottom band, the title of the group, "A Company of Wild West Cowboys" is written in white, along with a smaller message that praised cowboys for their heroism. In reality, however, cowboys lived anything but a glamorous and adventurous life. With low pay and dangerous tasks, cowboys often suffered and resented the job.
Connection to the Thesis
This artifact connects to the thesis statement because it portrays the reality of the physical frontier, and the warped perception many Americans had about it. While certain elements of this advertisement are true, along with the myth it catalyzed, the majority of it was an over-exaggeration and essentially, there was too much "hype" about it. The one true idea was the idea of the west being an area for pioneers who were wishing for a new life, or a method to re-invent themselves. This artifact also portrays the effect that American creativity has had on American culture, as a substantial amount of creativity resulted in such an elaborate and appealing myth. Americans channeled their creative energies through mediums such as literature, art, performing, and other methods to convey this myth. A myth that was essentially the product of their imagination. This impacted the advancement of the frontier, because it added another "pull" factor to the West-- the West, with all it's adventures and heroic opportunities, seemed ever more appealing to the gallant pioneer. They were curious, and they wanted to seize the opportunity to become this glorious, American archetype-- the cowboy. Unfortunately, many found their dreams crumble in front of them as they were faced with the harsh reality of the West.