Outlaws as Outlaws as HeroesHeroes

Our desperate need to make Our desperate need to make bad-guys not so bad.bad-guys not so bad.

Thinking first:Thinking first: What is a 'hero'? What is a What is a 'hero'? What is a

villain? Think of some words villain? Think of some words you would use to describe you would use to describe someone you see as a hero, someone you see as a hero, and someone you see as a and someone you see as a villain.. villain..

If a person feels robbed of their If a person feels robbed of their rights, are they justified in rights, are they justified in having contempt for the rights having contempt for the rights of others? of others?

What qualities do people admire, What qualities do people admire, why do they need heroes and why do they need heroes and why do some criminals why do some criminals become heroes while others become heroes while others are hated and feared? are hated and feared?

Are some of these things Are some of these things UNIVERSAL THEMES???UNIVERSAL THEMES???

We have always had a need We have always had a need for heroes, and if they are not for heroes, and if they are not plentiful enough in our lives plentiful enough in our lives we will make heroes out of we will make heroes out of not so heroic people. This not so heroic people. This has been going on for has been going on for centuries.centuries.

We made We made heroes out heroes out of of pirates…pirates…

and rebels.and rebels.

We take gangsters We take gangsters and criminals like and criminals like Al Capone, Ma Al Capone, Ma Barker, Pretty Boy Barker, Pretty Boy Floyd, Machine Floyd, Machine Gun Kelley, and Gun Kelley, and Bonnie and Clyde..Bonnie and Clyde..

And turn them into And turn them into this…this…

Pretty Boy FloydPretty Boy Floydby Woody Guthrieby Woody Guthrie

If you'll gather 'round me, children,If you'll gather 'round me, children,A story I will tellA story I will tell'Bout Pretty Boy Floyd, an outlaw,'Bout Pretty Boy Floyd, an outlaw,Oklahoma knew him well.Oklahoma knew him well.

It was in the town of Shawnee,It was in the town of Shawnee,A Saturday afternoon,A Saturday afternoon,His wife beside him in his wagonHis wife beside him in his wagonAs into town they rode. As into town they rode.

There a deputy sheriff approached himThere a deputy sheriff approached himIn a manner rather rude,In a manner rather rude,Vulgar words of anger,Vulgar words of anger,An' his wife she overheard. An' his wife she overheard.

Pretty Boy grabbed a log chain,Pretty Boy grabbed a log chain,And the deputy grabbed his gun;And the deputy grabbed his gun;In the fight that followedIn the fight that followedHe laid that deputy down. He laid that deputy down.

Then he took to the trees and timberThen he took to the trees and timberTo live a life of shame;To live a life of shame;Every crime in OklahomaEvery crime in OklahomaWas added to his name. Was added to his name.

But a many a starving farmerBut a many a starving farmerThe same old story toldThe same old story toldHow the outlaw paid their mortgageHow the outlaw paid their mortgageAnd saved their little homes. And saved their little homes.

Others tell you 'bout a strangerOthers tell you 'bout a strangerThat come to beg a meal,That come to beg a meal,Underneath his napkinUnderneath his napkinLeft a thousand dollar bill. Left a thousand dollar bill.

It was in Oklahoma City,It was in Oklahoma City,It was on a Christmas Day,It was on a Christmas Day,There was a whole car load of There was a whole car load of groceriesgroceriesCome with a note to say: Come with a note to say:

Well, you say that I'm an outlaw,Well, you say that I'm an outlaw,You say that I'm a thief.You say that I'm a thief.Here's a Christmas dinnerHere's a Christmas dinnerFor the families on relief. For the families on relief.

Yes, as through this world I've Yes, as through this world I've wanderedwanderedI've seen lots of funny men;I've seen lots of funny men;Some will rob you with a six-gun,Some will rob you with a six-gun,And some with a fountain pen. And some with a fountain pen.

And as through your life you travel,And as through your life you travel,Yes, as through your life you roam,Yes, as through your life you roam,You won't never see an outlawYou won't never see an outlawDrive a family from their home.Drive a family from their home.

Dime Novels made cowboys and Dime Novels made cowboys and Indian fighters of the west into Indian fighters of the west into heroes; even outlaws like Jesse heroes; even outlaws like Jesse

James!James!

We want these We want these heroes to be good heroes to be good looking like Robin looking like Robin Weigert or Doris Weigert or Doris Day as Calamity Day as Calamity JaneJane

Unlike the real Unlike the real Calamity JaneCalamity Jane

We We want want Billy the Billy the Kid to Kid to look like look like Emilio Emilio Estevez Estevez or Val or Val KilmerKilmer

Not the way he Not the way he really lookedreally looked

We would like to We would like to

think that Belle think that Belle Starr the “Bandit Starr the “Bandit Queen” looked like Queen” looked like Elizabeth Elizabeth Montgomery or Montgomery or Gene Tierney..Gene Tierney..

Not so much like Not so much like she really didshe really did

Now, back to Jesse JamesNow, back to Jesse James

not so much like these not so much like these guys…guys…

As thisAs this

Not these guys…Not these guys…

But theseBut theseThe James-Younger The James-Younger

GangGang

Cole Younger was Cole Younger was notnot

this guy…this guy…

But thisBut this

The reel YoungersThe reel Youngers

The real thingThe real thing

Jesse JamesJesse JamesJesse James was a manJesse James was a manAnd he killed many menAnd he killed many menHe robbed the Glendale trainHe robbed the Glendale trainAnd he took from the richerAnd he took from the richerAnd he gave that to the poorerAnd he gave that to the poorerHe'd a hand and a heart and a brainHe'd a hand and a heart and a brain

Oh Jesse had a wife to mourn for his lifeOh Jesse had a wife to mourn for his lifeThree children they were so braveThree children they were so braveBut that dirty little cowardBut that dirty little cowardThat shot Mr. HowardThat shot Mr. HowardHas laid Jesse James in his graveHas laid Jesse James in his grave

(Instrumental)(Instrumental)

On Wednesday nightOn Wednesday nightWhen the moon was shining brightWhen the moon was shining brightThey robbed that Glendale trainThey robbed that Glendale trainAnd the folks from miles about (yeah And the folks from miles about (yeah they can)they can)They all said without a doubtThey all said without a doubtIt was done by her Frankie and Jesse It was done by her Frankie and Jesse James (yes it was)James (yes it was)

Oh Jessie had a wife, to mourn for his Oh Jessie had a wife, to mourn for his lifelifeThree children they were so braveThree children they were so braveBut that dirty little cowardBut that dirty little cowardThat shot Mr. HowardThat shot Mr. HowardHas laid (poor) Jesse James in his graveHas laid (poor) Jesse James in his grave

► Instrumental)Instrumental)

Well the people held their breathWell the people held their breathWhen they heard about Jesse's When they heard about Jesse's death (yeah)death (yeah)And they wondered how poor Jesse And they wondered how poor Jesse came to die (how did he die?)came to die (how did he die?)It was one of his guys, called Little It was one of his guys, called Little Robert FordRobert FordAnd he shot Jessie James on the slyAnd he shot Jessie James on the sly

Oh Jessie had a wife to mourn for Oh Jessie had a wife to mourn for his lifehis lifeThree children they were so braveThree children they were so braveBut that dirty little cowardBut that dirty little cowardThat shot Mr. HowardThat shot Mr. HowardHas laid Jesse James in his graveHas laid Jesse James in his graveHas laid poor Jesse in his graveHas laid poor Jesse in his grave

So, what started So, what started this national mania this national mania for the “Wild West”?for the “Wild West”?

Cowboy, Nat Cowboy, Nat Love, the real Love, the real

Deadwood Deadwood DickDick

In 1890 the federal In 1890 the federal census told the census told the public that there public that there was no longer a was no longer a frontier, and the frontier, and the public seemed to public seemed to miss it..miss it..

"The existence of an area of free land, "The existence of an area of free land, its continuous recession, and the its continuous recession, and the advance of American settlement advance of American settlement westward explain American westward explain American development.“development.“

Frederick Jackson TurnerFrederick Jackson Turner

Turner with a study groupTurner with a study group With these words, in With these words, in

1893, Turner laid the 1893, Turner laid the foundation for foundation for modern historical modern historical study of the study of the American West and American West and presented a "frontier presented a "frontier thesis" that thesis" that continues to continues to influence historical influence historical thinking even today. thinking even today.

Wild West shows drew thousands of spectators to steer roping, rodeos, and staged battles between “good cavalry regiments” and “bad native Americans.”

Annie Oakley, a Annie Oakley, a star of the Wild star of the Wild

West show West show became known became known as “Little Miss as “Little Miss

Sureshot”Sureshot”

Chief Sitting Chief Sitting Bull played Bull played himself in himself in the Wild the Wild West show, West show, leading leading warlike warlike Indians out Indians out to attack to attack wagon wagon trains.trains.

Unable to stand Unable to stand white society, he white society, he only stayed with the only stayed with the show for four show for four months, but a months, but a legend was born.legend was born.

Roy Rogers and TriggerRoy Rogers and Trigger

The wild west shows The wild west shows perpetuated many perpetuated many myths about the old myths about the old west, including that west, including that of the “singing of the “singing cowboy”cowboy”

DON'T FENCE ME INDON'T FENCE ME IN(Cole Porter) (Cole Porter) Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above, Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above, Don't fence me inDon't fence me in Let me ride through the wide open country that I love,Let me ride through the wide open country that I love, Don't fence me inDon't fence me in Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze Let me be by myself in the evenin' breeze And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees Send me off forever but I ask you please,Send me off forever but I ask you please, Don't fence me in Don't fence me in Just turn me loose, Just turn me loose, let me straddle my old saddle Underneath the western skies let me straddle my old saddle Underneath the western skies On my Cayuse, On my Cayuse, let me wander over yonder Till I see the mountains rise let me wander over yonder Till I see the mountains rise I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses And gaze at the moon till I lose my senses And I can't look at hovels and I can't stand fencesAnd I can't look at hovels and I can't stand fences Don't fence me in Don't fence me in Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies,Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies, Don't fence me in Don't fence me in Let me ride through the wide open country that I love,Let me ride through the wide open country that I love, Don't fence me in Don't fence me in Let me be by myself in the evenin' breezeLet me be by myself in the evenin' breeze And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees And listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees Send me off forever but I ask you please,Send me off forever but I ask you please, Don't fence me in Don't fence me in

Gene Autry was one Gene Autry was one of the most famous of of the most famous of them all. Classic them all. Classic songs like “Don’t songs like “Don’t fence me in” and fence me in” and “Back in the saddle “Back in the saddle again” suggested the again” suggested the wide open spaces wide open spaces and endless and endless opportunity we opportunity we wanted to believe in.wanted to believe in.

Back in the Saddle Again LyricsBack in the Saddle Again Lyrics

I'm back in the saddle againI'm back in the saddle againOut where a friend is a friendOut where a friend is a friendWhere the longhorn cattle feedWhere the longhorn cattle feedOn the lowly gypsum weedOn the lowly gypsum weedBack in the saddle againBack in the saddle again

Ridin' the range once moreRidin' the range once moreTotin' my old .44Totin' my old .44Where you sleep out every nightWhere you sleep out every nightAnd the only law is rightAnd the only law is rightBack in the saddle againBack in the saddle again

Whoopi-ty-aye-ohWhoopi-ty-aye-ohRockin' to and froRockin' to and froBack in the saddle againBack in the saddle againWhoopi-ty-aye-yayWhoopi-ty-aye-yayI go my wayI go my wayBack in the saddle againBack in the saddle again

I'm back in the saddle againI'm back in the saddle againOut where a friend is a friendOut where a friend is a friendWhere the longhorn cattle feedWhere the longhorn cattle feedOn the lowly gypsum weedOn the lowly gypsum weedBack in the saddle againBack in the saddle again

Ridin' the range once moreRidin' the range once moreTotin' my old .44Totin' my old .44Where you sleep out every nightWhere you sleep out every nightAnd the only law is rightAnd the only law is rightBack in the saddle againBack in the saddle again

Whoopi-ty-aye-ohWhoopi-ty-aye-ohRockin' to and froRockin' to and froBack in the saddle againBack in the saddle againWhoopi-ty-aye-yayWhoopi-ty-aye-yayI go my wayI go my wayBack in the saddle again Back in the saddle again

So the stereotypes So the stereotypes began - began -

and were perpetuated and were perpetuated by movies and later TV.by movies and later TV.

The question is which The question is which was more accurate? was more accurate?

The strenuous one The strenuous one where a man could where a man could lead a virtuous life and lead a virtuous life and toughen his body,? The toughen his body,? The cowboy poet or the cowboy poet or the strong silent type?strong silent type?

I'm An Old CowhandI'm An Old CowhandI'm an old cowhand from the Rio GrandeI'm an old cowhand from the Rio GrandeBut my legs ain't bowed and my cheeks ain't tannedBut my legs ain't bowed and my cheeks ain't tannedI'm the cowboy who never saw a cowI'm the cowboy who never saw a cowNever roped a steer 'cause I don't know howNever roped a steer 'cause I don't know howI sure ain't fixin' to start in nowI sure ain't fixin' to start in nowYippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay!

I'm an old cowhand from the Rio GrandeI'm an old cowhand from the Rio GrandeAnd I learned to ride before I learned to standAnd I learned to ride before I learned to standI'm a ridin' fool who is up to dateI'm a ridin' fool who is up to dateI know every trail in the Lone Star StateI know every trail in the Lone Star State'Cause I ride the range in a Ford V-8'Cause I ride the range in a Ford V-8Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay!

We're old cowhands from the Rio GrandeWe're old cowhands from the Rio GrandeAnd we come to town just to hear the bandAnd we come to town just to hear the bandWe know all the songs that the cowboys knowWe know all the songs that the cowboys know'Bout the Big Corral where the dogies go'Bout the Big Corral where the dogies goWe learned them all on the radioWe learned them all on the radioYipee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yipee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay!

I'm an old cowhand from the Rio GrandeI'm an old cowhand from the Rio GrandeWhere the West is wild all around the borderlandWhere the West is wild all around the borderlandWhere the buffalo roam around the zooWhere the buffalo roam around the zooAnd the Indians run up a rug or twoAnd the Indians run up a rug or twoAnd the old Bar X is just a barbequeAnd the old Bar X is just a barbequeYippee i oh ti-ay!Yippee i oh ti-ay!I'm a pioneer who began from scratchI'm a pioneer who began from scratchI don't bat an eye in a suit or hatI don't bat an eye in a suit or hatThey don't call me Elmer, they call me SatchThey don't call me Elmer, they call me SatchYippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay! Yippee i oh ti-ay!