Another angle we can take on this chapter is the "myth of the wild, wild west". If you closed your eyes and repeated that phrase, undoubtedly a dozen images would immediately spring to mind.
Have you ever stopped to think...where did those images come from? Where, exactly, do Americans get their minds-eye view of the wild, wild west? Also, was it even all that wild?
An obvious answer is 20th century media. Everything from old-timey radio programs, to novels and movies perpetuate a certain perspective on the American West. Case in point, Hollywood is releasing a remake of a famous western called The Magnificent Seven with Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt. You've probably seen the previews.
One of the earliest players in the Old West theme was Buffalo Bill Cody. He led a incredibly successful Wild West Show which traveled around America...kind of a like a modern-day circus.
For this week's blog, visit this website to gain more information about Bill Cody, his friends and his show. You'll need to read the main article and then look at some of the links on the left side of the screen.
For the comments section, list the ten most interesting things you did not know about Buffalo Bill and His Show. After your Top Ten List, write a paragraph about why Americans love clinging to myths that we all (for the most part) know are not true.
Remember......each week's blog post must be at least 200 words and the word count should be included in parenthesis at the end of your comment section. From this point forward, blog's without the word count attached will lose 15 points.
After the death of his father, Bill had to work. He was only 11 years old. When he was 14 years old, he was a rider for Pony Express.
ReplyDeleteBuffalo Bill also participated in the Indian wars as a civilian scout. In 1872, he was awarded with Medal of Honor.
Bill was recognized as a wonderful performer. He often picked up the scenes from the Indian wars and frontier. He also depicted the cowboy themes in his performance.
In 1883, he established Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. Bill and his company began to have a tour across United States. The tour to Europe and Great Britain began in 1887.
The name Buffalo Bill was applied to him because of his buffalo meat that he supplied to the Kansas Pacific railroad workers
The Wild West Shows was very popular in the world because people were interested with the piece of the true American West.
Let’s find out the parents of Buffalo Bill. His mother was Mary Ann Bonsell Laycock who was born in New Jersey. His father was born in Toronto Township, Upper Canada. His name was Isaac.
Buffalo Bill also participated in the Indian wars as a civilian scout. In 1872, he was awarded with Medal of Honor
In 1863 until 1865, Bill took part in the American Civil War. He fought for the interest of Union Army.
The American bison is also known as a buffalo in US. People believed that Bill had killed 4,282 buffalo in only 18 months.
They make us feel good to tell and there cool. There things that people don't want to let go because more and more people tell them and it changes. We just love the facts of them and the history behind them. Especially if we make them up or start them or if it has happened to us. -Caleb
308 words
1. Bill Cody, also known as "Buffalo Bill," grew up in Kansas during Western migration.
ReplyDelete2. He served as a scout during the Indian Wars.
3. Annie Oakley had never visited the West until she was a part of Bill's show.
4. Bill's show didn't focus on the hardships of life that were taking place at the time.
5. In his Wild West, the Indians were always the aggressors, attacking trains, settlers, etc.
6. The Wild West started in 1883 and lasted 30 years.
7. Bill Cody died in 1917.
8. He first rejected Annie Oakley and then later hired her for the show.
9. Cody had participated in 14 fights against Indians.
10. Wild West memorabilia was sold off by creditors and he died bankrupt.
I think that Americans love clinging onto myths that we know aren't true because it keeps things interesting. Being able to tell cool stories in the future about myths would be way more exciting then just reading out of a history book (no offense). The myths that Americans often believe have amazing events and people that get told about. These stories get passed down among generations and so each time period may believe a different story. Everyone tells a story differently so I think this gives people the freedom to share what they "know." I think it just makes things more exciting being able to share your point of view. (215 words) --- Allie Halloran
When Bill was only eleven years old he had to work. The buffalo were real, to begin with. So was Bill Cody. He had grown up in Kansas during the period of intensive Western migration, had served as a scout during the Indian Wars, and had even ridden for the Pony Express. Bill's show didn't focus on the hardship of life. The Wild West lasted thirty years. Cody died in 1917. Bill was involved in fourteen fights with the Indians. I think that Americans hold onto myths so much is because it gives people good stories to talk about in the future.
ReplyDelete1. Bill Cody had grown up in Kansas during the period on intensive western migration, had served as a scout during the Indian wars.
ReplyDelete2. The Deadwood stagecoach was real,too Cody had gotten it from the manger of the Cheyenne and black hills line.
3. Annie Oakley was born in Ohio and never visited the West until she was a member of the Cody show.
4.Lillian Ward was a Brooklyn native, and a sharpshooter May Lillie came from Philadelphia.
5. The Wild West show also encouraged a certain view of events in the country, one both romantic and militaristic
6. In Codys Wild West , the Indians were always the aggressors attacking wagon trains ,settlers cabins and custors forces.
7. The 1876 war which cost Custer his life which was a good example the area fought over was given to the Sioux by treaty
8. The United States census bureau officially declared the frontier closed in 1890.
9. By 1893 buffalo could still be hunted in Codys Wild West, but as many other places wher once millions roamed the western plains
10. By the end of the Wild West spectators were arriving in automobiles to watch men on horseback, and Nickelodeons were showing future mass of entertainment.
I think that Americans love hearing mythical stories beacuse the interest us and they grab our attention. Even if the stories aren't true we still want to hear about it. It also matters on whose is telling the story if the author is just plain with his writing you won't be willing to hear what he has to say but if the writer has excitement and mystery in the writing you would be more likely to read the myth.
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1)the Wild West show encouraged a romantic point of view in it
ReplyDelete2annie Oakley never visited the Wild West until the show
3. frontier closed in 1890
4. Cody was in 14 different fights with Indians
5. Cody died in 1917
6. At age 14 Cody became a rider for the pony express
7. 1872 he was awarded the Medal of Honor
8 the Wild West lasted 30 years
9.bill born in Kansas
10. in his version of the Wild West the Indians were always the aggressors
We all love clinging to a good myth and imagine that it is true because we try to imagine ourselves back then and think it would be so cool to see what it was like...at least by what we are told. We don't want to think about the things we did wrong as much so we make these stories to think there must have been something good come out of the horrible things we did to the natives also these stories are just interesting and even though we know they aren't true it's cool to see how the way people interpret it all after it's been passed down generation bey generation. It also gives you the chance to tell the story from what you've been told, it's like in kindergarten
1. He grew up during western migration
ReplyDelete2. Served as a scout during the Indian Wars
3. Rode for the Pony Express
4. His show ran 30 years
5. Died in 1917.
6. He was born in Iowa
7. There was a novel written about him
8. There was a stage version of the novel
9. He attended the stage version
10. Scalped an Indian named Yellow Hair
Americans love clinging to myths because we love the idea of something extreme really happening. If we hear that something crazy has happened in real life, we automatically are fascinated by it. It is something that has been around for centuries, and it is a little more fascinating to people because instead of knowing something isn't true and being disappointed by it, we think that it is true because it makes us happy, and gives us a sense of hope. Stories are also a great way of teaching lessons, just like Jesus did when he told parables. Myths have always been a part of American culture, and will be for a long time. They have been passed down for many years, and will only continue to be passed down if we tell them to our future kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids to come. (201)
1. He had grown up in Kansas during Western migration
ReplyDelete2. Annie Oakley was born in Ohio
3. The show encouraged romantic and materialistic views
4. The shows depictions of Indians impacted how white Americans saw them
5. also encouraged a certain view of events in that part of the country, one that was both romantic and militaristic. 6. Cody's show could be forgiven for not focusing on the physical hardships of life on the frontier, I.e., the mosquitoes, blizzards, boredom, drunkenness, etc.
7. Indians were always the aggressors
8. William Frederick Cody was born on February 26, 1846
9. Advertisements for the show called it a "A Visit West in Three Hours"
10. Cody performed in the show
I think that clinging to the stories give a sense of peace. Maybe even nostalgia, because the stories offer a simple feeling of goodness of our heroes and make us feel better about the world we live in and what we wish is our reality. It's like when your little and you hear the stories about the knight in shining armor saving the princesses, you like that you can use your imagination and any thing is possible. Believing in something is important, why can't it be make believe if it makes you happy?
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1. Bill Cody grew up in Kansas during this major migration
ReplyDelete2. His shows showed the military side and the romantic side of our country
3. He made the Indians look like they were the ones to start every fight
4. Custer lost his life in the war that took place in 1876
5. In his shows however he had a good relationship with the Indians
6. The Wild West didn't start until 1873
7. The Wild West lasted for 30 years
8. The frontier was closed in 1890 due to the United States Census Bureau.
9. In 1890 buffalo were still allowed to be hunted
10. In 1917 Cody died
As Americans we love to cling on to myths because we believe them to be true. We have always known them to be true. We love things that aren't normal, crazy and exciting things. Nobody wants to have bad news so we all just believe the myths that have been passed down to us and which we will pass down to our future kids. These myths keep us on our toes constantly. I don't know how people think Indians were so bad to us but it's just a myth that everyone believes when we were actually the bad ones.(209)
1) "Bufflo Bill" existed, as Bill Cody and there was a traveling show about him, that was run by him.
ReplyDelete2) Annie Oakley never visited the West until she was a member of Cody's show.
3) Cody maintained a good relation with the Indians in his show, including legendary Sioux warrior Sitting Bull.
4) The Indians were always the aggressors.
5) The show ran for 30 years.
6) The show started in 1883.
7) By the end of the Wild West, spectators were arriving in automobiles to watch men on horseback.
8) Cody's image of Cowboys fighting Indians would influence Hollywood greatly.
9) Some of Cody's inaccuracy was deliberate.
10) Talking motion pictures were only a decade away when Cody died in 1917.
I think there is something fascinating about myths. Often, they are idealized version of real life. The reality that people want to live in, with dashing heroes, beautiful woman, exhilarating action, sweeping romance, and no personal danger. It may also be a form of escape from the cares and worries of life, where things are as simple as "shoot the bad guy and save the day." Because it is true that life is complicated and difficult and the good guy doesn't always make it in the end. Sometimes, it's hard to tell who the good guy even is. Or if there is one. Through myths and legends people also express their personal views on life, or they may use them to teach lessons to future generations. (249 words)
1. The buffalo in the show were real
ReplyDelete2. Bill Cody was also real
3. He grew up in Kansas during the western migration
4. Lillian Ward was from Brooklyn
5. Annie Oakley had uncouth manner
6. The show also encouraged romance
7. Cody was born on Feb. 26, 1846
8. Cody was born in Iowa
9. Cody died in 1917
10. The show impacted how white Americans viewed Indians
I personally believe many people liked the show because the show itself was very entertaining. People may deny it, but seeing real live buffalo in a gun show and watching guys and girls ride horses and chase around what was to white America these wild beasts was pretty cool. Also being able to add the element of cowgirls and seeing the other side of an also romantic show must've drew the woman/girl side of the audience. The whole, White America are the heroes act, and the whole hero saves the girl kinda show gives folks a good feeling and puts them in a happy state of mind. No matter what was real or what was fake in this play, all that mattered to these people is that they were happy and if they enjoyed it, then there's no reason on why not to show up. (203)
1. Cody grew up in Kansas during western migration.
ReplyDelete2. He ran a show about himself and about the Wild West.
3. The buffalo he used in the show were real.
4. Although growing up in Kansas, he was actually born in Iowa.
5. His date of birth was February 26, 1846.
6. His show depicted the relationship with natives as friendly.
7. He would perform in his own shows.
8. His show lasted 30 years
9. He died in 1917
10. This was 10 years before the first "talking motion pictures" came out.
I think we like to hold on to myths that we know aren't fully true because it tends to make some things more exciting and less ordinary. When most people read about history, they find it boring perhaps because it doesn't meet the expectations that the myths give us about that time period. Myths give us a combination of entertainment, fascination, and mystery. It also makes money. People make movies and write books on myths all the time and it seems like they are the ones that are the most successful. Some myths don't have to be completely false either; sometimes they can be true events sprinkled with little myths to make it more interesting.
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1. Cody grew up in Kansas
ReplyDelete2. The buffalo was real in the show
3.he performed in his own show
4. He was born Iowa
5. Bill Cody was real
6. The show started 1883
7. The show lasted 30 years
8. Died in 1817
9. He got the Medal of Honor
10. There was a book about him
We enjoy myths because they keep the hints interesting. Even though they are completely different and out of the ordinary some people find hope in them. Like things are going to change just based on the fact that they heard about a someone who isn't even real. People can just hope and that gives them a glimpse of a great world. Like someone is watching over them. That's why we keep myths going and we believe in some. We always want someone else to take care of our problems and if it's a hero he protects us from our biggest problem. That's just how this world works. (202)
1. Grew up in Kansas during western migration
ReplyDelete2. Has shows that represented war and romance
3. Born in Iowa
4. Buffalo were real in show
5. Shows went on for 30 years
6. He was awarded with the Medal of Honor
7. There was a novel written about him
8. Indians were the enemy in show
9. Died during 1817
10. His shows started during the year 1883
I think we enjoy myths since it may give us a false sense of security from fabled tales to a story rumored and passed down. It may just make us happy to hear about myths on how a crazy story could possibly be real. It's like movies in modern day, we enjoy watching these characters in movies that could realistically never exist but it would be sweet if some of them were to exist. It may make people curious about what could have really happened or how those stories couldn't possibly be real, but we somehow think it still could be. And that's why I think we get hooked on myths. These myths could also have a hero or villain, and we could become scared by this villain and believe in the hero figure, just for the fact that this character might exist.