Frontier Theory: A Multi-Modal Approach to Westward Expansion

Texts: Frederick Jackson Turner, “The Significance of the Frontier in American History” (excerpts) Patricia Nelson Limerick, “The Adventures of the Frontier in the Twentieth Century” John Gast, American Progress (painting) Wallance Stegner, excerpt – The American West as Living Space (pg. 15 of Into the Wild) John Krakauer – Into the Wild, chapters 1-3 Assignment: In order to better understand / attempt to relate to the Christopher McCandless of Krakauer’s Into the Wild, this assignment asks you to provide a detailed reading of John Gast's painting American Progress as depicting the frontier, la frontera, and man’s seemingly insatiable drive to “follow the road West” that references Turner's, Limerick's, and Stegner’s usage of these concepts. How does the painting depict the process of the frontier as opposed to the place? Is it in any way descriptive of what goes on in la frontera? Why do all roads lead West? How does this relate to McCandless’ own quest as foreshadowed in the first three chapters of the novel? On Friday, November 5, 2010, you will arrange yourselves in Harkness Groups of 4-5 students each to discuss these ideas as an “intro” to our unit on Into the Wild / Walden / Man and Nature. Work this week to prepare for this discussion, to read the articles enclosed, and to think carefully about this essential question: What drove McCandless to set out on his ill-fated adventure Into the Wild? [P.S. – Don’t forget to synthesize the sources into an argument of your own –you’re reading to explore an idea here!] Guiding Questions:

1. How does Frederick Turner describe the frontier? Are his descriptions positive or negative? 2. What, in Turner’s view, marked the “closing” of the frontier? 3. What, in Turner’s view, are the consequences (positive and/or negative) of westward

expansion / the frontier? 4. What is the primary difference between the frontier and la frontera? Why is this difference

significant when discussing westward expansion/frontier theory? 5. How does Patricia Limerick describe the la frontera? Are her descriptions positive or

negative? 6. To what extent does Limerick agree/disagree with Turner’s view of the frontier? 7. What, in Limerick’s view, are the consequences (positive and/or negative) of westward

expansion / the frontier? 8. Analyze Gast’s painting. Visit the additional websites indicated on the link – they’ll help. 9. What elements of Turner’s frontier do you see depicted in this painting? of la frontera? 10. Which theory is best represented by this painting? 11. According to Stegner, what is the inexcapable draw of the West, of the frontier? What larger

force could it represent? 12. What could you surmise could have been McCandless’s obsession with the frontier?

John Gast’s “American Progress” (1872)

IN JOHN GAST'S "AMERICAN PROGRESS," (1872) A DIAPHANOUSLY AND PRECARIOUS CLAD AMERICA FLOATS WESTWARD THRU THE AIR WITH THE "STAR OF EMPIRE" ON HER FOREHEAD. SHE HAS LEFT THE CITIES OF THE EAST BEHIND, AND THE WIDE MISSISSIPPI, AND STILL HER COURSE IS WESTWARD. IN HER RIGHT HAND SHE CARRIES A SCHOOL BOOK-- TESTIMONIAL OF THE NATIONAL ENLIGHTENMENT, WHILE WITH HER LEFT SHE TRAILS THE SLENDER WIRES OF THE TELEGRAPH THAT WILL BIND THE NATION. FLEEING HER APPROACH ARE INDIANS, BUFFALO, WILD HORSES, BEARS, AND OTHER GAME, DISAPPEARING INTO THE STORM AND WAVES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. THEY FLEE THE WONDEROUS VISION--THE STAR "IS TOO MUCH FOR THEM."--PRECIS OF A

CONTEMPORARY DESCRIPTION OF THIS PAINTING BY GEORGE CROFUTT WHO

DISTRIBUTRED HIS ENGRAVING OF IT WIDELY.