The Myth and Reality of the American West Essay Example for Free

The Myth and Reality of the American West EssayWe have all heard the stories about the old west. There are the disreputable gunfights, the cowpunchers that steal all of the womens hearts, and the many a nonher(prenominal) stagecoach robberies. But how can we tell fact from parable? Where is the line worn between the sincereity of the American west and the myth portrayed in the many books and movies? E verything may not have been as adventurous as we believe, or as glamorous. But the real question is what is true and what is not? It is shocking how many misconceptions are made about the old west. I for one, definitely picture what most people probably do. Cowboys are always the first that come to mind. Everyone love a rustic, rugged, handsome cowboy. They saved the day on all occasions a nd at the end of the day, went and swept the woman onward her feet and they rode off into the sunset on horseback together.The cowboys were the good guys who wore the cowboy hat and boots a nd fought the bad guys in gunfights right outside of the bat-wing door saloons. A mental picture is immersen of two men with their backs to each other taking ten paces in opposite direction, only to draw guns and fight fairly after turning around. Cowboys were the ultimate white, southern gentlemen who always won the ladys heart. There are, of course, many other myths about the old west. For instance, the wakeless system there is the town sheriff with the sentiency badge and uniform worn at all times, who just happens to show up whenever there is trouble. The sheriff settles disputes that live out amongst townspeople and always makes the right decision, in putting the bad guy in lag to bring the ever-so unpredictable outcome of a happy ending. The popular variant, Cowboy Take Me forth by the country music group the Dixie Chicks, reinforces almost all concepts of the myth of the American west. The utter is Cowboy channelise me away. Fly this girl as high as you can into the wild blue. fit(p) me free oh I pray. Closer to heaven above and closer to you, closer to you. This is a prime exemplar of the misconstrued ideas about the west. This verse portrays exactly what every nave person believes about this subject. The handsome cowboy comes to take you away to a place where you can forget all cares and troubles you have. He has come to carry you off into the sunset where the two of you will live together where only love and happiness matters. Living the honest life with the man of her dreams, who will treat her with respect and love her unconditionally, is the fantasy of every woman. The entire song portrays the beauty and simplicity of nature and life in the west, where the hustle and bustle of everyday life, elsewhere, doesnt exist.Who wouldnt want that? If it only existed What is the reality of the American west? Well contrary to popular belief, cowboys werent rattling the heroes. Cowboys were of all races and were mostly poor farm boys. Cowboys were just what the name states which is, males who raised and herded cattle for a living. closely women fell for the wealthy men of a higher class than for mere farm boys. The west wasnt peaceful, pleasant place that most people picture it as, except for the occasional bad guy. There were many problems in the west including lack of good food, lack of money, constant fighting with Indians over territory, and increasing strength (this was especially true when saloons, brothels, and gambling dens began to open). Another misconception of this time was that of the legal system.In all actuality there was not one at all. It wasnt until much later, after problems increased even more, that a so called legal system was developed. This was the miners courts. Miners in the area served on a jury and settled disputes in that way. This was a very inefficient system, because the miners favored the powerful, popular, and wealthy. The poor, weak, and unpopular were often charged with crimes they didnt commit. Hollywood has come up with many different ways to make the old west seem so exciting and adventurous. Whether its by dint of a song, an old movie, or a fictional book, the myth of the American west comes across as the truth for most people. The truth is never as interesting, so we depend on made up stories to entertain us.