Popular Appeal and Nostalgia in Developing the Myth of the Frontier
Primary Faculty Mentor’s Name
Dr. Francis Desiderio
Proposal Track
Student
Session Format
Paper Presentation
Abstract
This presentation explores the myth of frontier in regards to both the myth’s creation and in regards to the practical applications of the myth. This study focuses upon the cowboy as the iconic symbol of the frontier. He is the most recognizable and the most relatable character of the frontier. In consequence, the cowboy’s history and attributes serve as the basis for which the frontier myth is created, reinforced, and interpreted in American society.
This inquiry as to the myth’s creation and maintenance focuses upon two main creators of the myth: the aspect of popular appeal especially in the concepts of escapism and simplicity and the aspect of nostalgia for qualities presumably lost to American society. The creation of the myth is discussed in a socio-historical analysis of the portrayals of the cowboy. These portrayals are traced and discussed in terms of their significance for both the West and for the East. The mediums of the portrayals are also analyzed in order to explain the deliberate methodology in representing the cowboy, especially in connection to how the iconography of the cowboy is perceived, emulated and socially reinforced. This presentation argues that images and portrayal of the cowboy evolves as media evolves. Evolution on both accounts is determined by societal expectations as well as by societal aspirations. In effect, this presentation covers Western newspapers of the cattle ranching period (roughly the 1880s to the 1890s), speeches by prominent Westerners (roughly the 1900s to the 1920s), the commercialization of cowboy songs (roughly the 1920s to the 1930s), and photography (roughly the 1930s to 1940s).
In addition to studying the methodology of the myth’s creation and reinforcement, this presentation seeks to explain the modern implications of the frontier myth. The frontier myth is arguably not completely a myth, as these implications permeate society not only ideologically. The implications also have tangible effects in modern American society. These implications include city planning and city branding, political calls for national unity, standardization of identity and marketing techniques, and ideals of futurism. As a result of these effects, both material and immaterial, the myth of the frontier will continue to influence American society despite its nomenclature as a “myth”.
Keywords
Frontier myth, American West, Cowboy, Popular Appeal, Nostalgia, Mass media
Location
Room 2905
Presentation Year
2014
Start Date
11-15-2014 11:05 AM
End Date
11-15-2014 12:05 PM
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Neuhauser, Rachel L., "Popular Appeal and Nostalgia in Developing the Myth of the Frontier" (2014). Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (2014-2015). 71.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gurc/2014/2014/71
Popular Appeal and Nostalgia in Developing the Myth of the Frontier
Room 2905
This presentation explores the myth of frontier in regards to both the myth’s creation and in regards to the practical applications of the myth. This study focuses upon the cowboy as the iconic symbol of the frontier. He is the most recognizable and the most relatable character of the frontier. In consequence, the cowboy’s history and attributes serve as the basis for which the frontier myth is created, reinforced, and interpreted in American society.
This inquiry as to the myth’s creation and maintenance focuses upon two main creators of the myth: the aspect of popular appeal especially in the concepts of escapism and simplicity and the aspect of nostalgia for qualities presumably lost to American society. The creation of the myth is discussed in a socio-historical analysis of the portrayals of the cowboy. These portrayals are traced and discussed in terms of their significance for both the West and for the East. The mediums of the portrayals are also analyzed in order to explain the deliberate methodology in representing the cowboy, especially in connection to how the iconography of the cowboy is perceived, emulated and socially reinforced. This presentation argues that images and portrayal of the cowboy evolves as media evolves. Evolution on both accounts is determined by societal expectations as well as by societal aspirations. In effect, this presentation covers Western newspapers of the cattle ranching period (roughly the 1880s to the 1890s), speeches by prominent Westerners (roughly the 1900s to the 1920s), the commercialization of cowboy songs (roughly the 1920s to the 1930s), and photography (roughly the 1930s to 1940s).
In addition to studying the methodology of the myth’s creation and reinforcement, this presentation seeks to explain the modern implications of the frontier myth. The frontier myth is arguably not completely a myth, as these implications permeate society not only ideologically. The implications also have tangible effects in modern American society. These implications include city planning and city branding, political calls for national unity, standardization of identity and marketing techniques, and ideals of futurism. As a result of these effects, both material and immaterial, the myth of the frontier will continue to influence American society despite its nomenclature as a “myth”.
