General info on the course: The American Western

Purpose of the class (American Western):

To analyze and critique the values, ideas, identities conveyed through the western as a literary genre, which helped to mythologize American white colonial history. ​

To situate the genre within historical and contemporary context – this means we will be reading these texts as 21st century readers seeking to address the damage done by white supremacy, racism and colonization.

What is the Western?

A genre of literary fiction (and film) ​

Set in the mid-to-late 1800s/early 1900s in the American west ​

Often involving conflicts over land, property, money and crimes​

(Usually)White men versus everyone else

Purpose of the western genre?

To create and critique the national identity of the USA​

To mythologize American history

Themes:

Individual and collective identity ​

Law and order/leadership ​

Crime and punishment ​

Commerce, money and work ​

Morality ​

Transport, travel and expansion ​

Pioneer life ​

Indigenous people

Characters:

Cowboys and “Indians” ​

Sheriffs and other law men ​

Tradesmen and speculators ​

Gamblers ​

Outlaws, drunks, bounty hunters, murderers and thieves

​Women in Westerns:

Teachers, mothers and homemakers ​

Prostitutes​

Indigenous women​

White sufficient single women/widows​

Barmaids

Setting:

1850-1900

Read “Stage to Lordsburg” and answer these questions

QUESTIONS

1.Provide three details about the story’s time and location (setting). Provide quotes and explain what the quoted material reveals about the setting.

2.How does the author reveal that there is a war going on during this journey; provide two quotes that reveal this context. 

3.Provide two details (quotes) that convey atmospher2e in the story.  Provide two quoted words or phrases and describe the atmosphere it describes. 

4.Name the two female characters and provide two key details (quote or paraphrase) about each of them. 

5.What do the two female characters reveal about the value and status of women during this period?

6.Name three of the main male characters and provide one detail about each one (quote or paraphrase).

7.Of the male characters, which one best represent ideal masculinity in the story? List the one character and give one example of a character trait that represents this ideal.

8.List three details about the races and cultural backgrounds of the characters in the story.   
Look for words that reveal these racial/cultural details and quote them here.

9.Around what specific conflict is the plot organized and how is the conflict resolved?  Be as specific as possible – eg: society versus individual is too general while racist laws versus black entrepreneurs is specific.

10.Identify one main idea or message conveyed through the story; consider, for example, what the story says about gender, race, class, history, identity.

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