American

Pop Culture The Myth of the West Warmup Discuss the following with a partner. 1.) We watched trailers of two Westerns that were not made in America. What were the similarities and differences between the two films? What do you think are a. The characters qualities b. The places c. The themes 2.) Imagine youre given $100 million dollars to make a new western. What do you think are the most important parts of a western? (Consider what you discussed in #1.) Reading 1 The Myth of the western is built on a struggle between civilization and wilderness. The Native Americans didnt develop the land, farm it, make it into profitable industry or what European descent Americans considered, civilization. The Europeans Americans had the ability to civilize the land. This desire to change the land was seen as a natural and desirable idea for Americans and good for everybody. (Except for the Native Americans, who were considered savages.) It was even seen as a good thing for European immigrants to the US. It was described that In the crucible of the frontier the immigrants were Americanized, liberated, and fused into a mixed race, English in neither nationality nor characteristics (Frederick Jackson Turner, 1893). This plays well with the thought that anyone who wishes to be an American, can become one. So we could say that the cowboy might be the first real popular definition of American. Discussion 1 3.) When you considered #2, what was similar/different between what you thought was important for a western and what you read in reading 1? 4.) If westerns are the popular definition of American, why do you think an Italian and a Korean filmmaker would want to make a western? a. When you think of the characters of westerns, do you imagine them being, American? Are the characters of The Good, The Bad, and The Weird actually representing Americans? 5.) Think back to the two western movie trailers that we watched. Describe the following types of characters? a. Woman & Men b. Children

American Pop Culture The Myth of the West 6.) Why do you think Westerns are popular, in America and abroad? 7.) Describe the qualities of a cowboy. (Personality/appearance/attitude.) a. Do you see any similarities with what you think Americans value? b. Do you see any similarities with what you think Koreans value? 8.) Describe what you think would be the opposite of a cowboy.