Well let's start with the reading assignment. I read the chapter on violence in the west and the concept of an Western Civil War of Incorporation was interesting and makes sense. The west was not so much "wild" but a bunch of competing factions against each other. The chapter is class based and largely marxist interpretation. Indeed Karl Marx even weighs in with an interpretation of the conflict in California describing it as "the upheavel most shamelessly caused" by capitalist opression taking place in the world.
The chapter gives a detailed description of the "social bandit". These are gunfighters who resisted the incorporation of the west. I have traditionally been skeptical of the "social bandit" phenomenon, chalking it up to myth and the enemy of my enemy is my friend. The chapter however does a good job placing the "social bandit" in a larger context so that while he shows appropriate skepticism he also shows the truth in the myth. The author does a nice, brief but detailed outline of the life of Billy the Kid placing him in this context. My favorite western being "Pat Garett And Billy The Kid" I was surprised how close the movie was to the truth (or the truth as it is reported now).
The main focus of the chapter though are the various wars and conflicts such as the Johnson County War and the Lincoln County War. In these wars the federal government tended to take the side of big bussiness over the insurgents. Most notably in Johnson County where the calvary was sent in. Sometimes the small time insurgents became giants giants themselves, such as Oliver M. Lee and Albert Bacon Fall in New Mexico.
I also read the chapter French Traders and Their Partners. What I liked most about this section is that it talked about the Indians as trade partners, not just an exploited people. The French got furs and the Indians got metal tools. It seems to a great extent a patrnership of mutual resspect, sometimes more. Indeed a land deed from colonial Illionois says that the purchase is valid unless the Indians decide to take it back. The French often found themselves in the middle of conflicts between tribes. A mission in St. Marie went up in flames because of a conflict between the Iriqouis and Huron in 1649. The whole chapter seems very conteporary to me, trade between nations and conflicts over trade.
Well now I must discuss my paper ideas. One idea I have is to look at the popular myth of the west through Italian Westerns. To narrow it down I am thinking of looking at The Good, The Bad , And The Ugly. Sergio Leone says that the battle scene in the film is based on an actual battle in the Civil War. I am thinking of looking at the movie and determining what aspects of the movie were based in wextern mythology and what aspects came from Italy. On second thought this sounds too complicated. I could do something on the battle though, comparing its portrayal in the film and what really went on.
Another idea I had was doing something on the 1960's Haight-Ashbury rock scene in San Francisco. Many of the bands used western iconography (the Grateful Dead for example) so I could do something about what aspects of the west did the band's celebrate. Their a number of topics I am thinking of in regards to the scene such as why it was appealing mecca musicians at the time. I should also work in the counterculture.
Another music idea I had was doing something on the Outlaw Country movement in the 1970's. This scene was based in Austin Texas and made stars of artists such as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. I could do something about the west and individual reinvention, looking at Willie Nelson. I could also try something on the outlaw in music and image, this is edging away from history territory though.
I had another film industry idea as well. I was thinking of doing something on the "DeHavilland decision". This was a court case that is often credited as a big factor in ending the studio system of the Hollywood "Golden Age". The case involved the actress Olivia DeHavilland (best known for playing Melanie in Gone With The Wind) suing her home studio Warner Brothers to get out of her contract. At the time the standard contract was seven years and DeHavilland's had expired. However she had been suspended from the studio during this time so boss Jack Warner tacked on extra time. In the end the California Supreme Court decided that a contract could not be longer than seven years. This took away alot of power studios held over their talent, and I believ the decision is still case law in california.
I Just thought of another idea. I could do a compairson of the movie Buffalo Bill and The Indians with the real Buffalo Bill west show. I could compare the experiences of the individuals in the movie with what they actually experienced. The key problem with this is that I've never seen the movie. This is why this idea is a little vague (not that the others aren't), but if I saw the movie I'm sure I could narrow it down to a something manageable. I could cover two aspects of selling the popular myth. The movie did get some bad reviews though.
I think that the idea of the 1960's Haight-Ashbury scene in particular the influence of western images on the persona and appeal of the Grateful Dead is interesting. It is a very creative topic. I think if you used that particular topic you could use footage of the band at the time in order to make your point. The final choice for your topic may come down to which topic offers the most resources without being too broad or generalized.
Posted by: David Tabaka | February 08, 2006 at 09:02 AM