In my 5 page critical essay I will initially give a brief definition or rather explanation of the term „ frontier“ and also show its delimitation from the commoner term “border” or the other entries in the dictionary having vaguely the same meaning.
But I anticipate, there is no better alternative expression for it.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Frederick Jackson Turner: The Westward Movement
3. Richard Rodriguez: The Northward Shift
4. Critical Comparison of "Frontier" Concepts
5. Conclusion: The Viewpoint of the Writer
Objectives and Thematic Focus
This essay explores the shifting concept of the "frontier" in American history and contemporary society by contrasting Frederick Jackson Turner's historical analysis of westward expansion with Richard Rodriguez’s modern narrative of Northward movement.
- Analysis of the historical significance of the "frontier" in American identity.
- Comparison of Turner’s objective historical reporting and Rodriguez’s subjective, anecdotal style.
- Examination of the linguistic transformation from a Westward-facing frontier to a North-facing horizon.
- Discussion on how personal background and origins influence the perception of progress.
- Evaluation of the "frontier" as a dynamic, personified concept rather than a static geographical line.
Excerpt from the Book
The Frontier in the North
The basic difference between a border and the frontier is that the latter is moving. Additionally, borders have no undefined edges or even contentious regions (if they are not changed by war), on the contrary the frontier is something dynamic, it never rests, never stays where it was the day before. Frontiers are defined by movement. In a historical sense it also means progress. “Frontier” is strongly related with the development of the United States of America. That’s why “frontier” is a very positive term, standing for the birth of today’s strongest nation in the world. “Frontier” stands for progress.
Turner himself sees the frontier and particularly its movement westward as something exceptionally good, and bringing desolate lands into the modern world. He possesses the typical point of view of a frontiersman. He uses terms as the “continually advancing frontier line”, he describes the other side of the frontier as being primitive, even as filled with savagery. The frontier itself he sees as the meeting point between savagery and civilisation. So, the frontier lives, because of its steady movement.
But what is more, it even has a nationality, like a real person, who is living and moving. When arriving at the Atlantic coast of the new continent it was French, English, German and Spanish; in sum: it was European. The more westward it moved the more American it became. It does not stand under European influence any more, it moves westward and in the west it is “the wilderness which masters the colonists” and unifies them, just to cite Turner. Additionally the frontiersmen become more and more American whatever they were before. In their struggle for life they depend on each other, they are not French, English or German any more, they fight under the same flag- they fight for their America.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author introduces the objective of contrasting Turner’s historical account of the American West with Rodriguez’s personal narrative of the North.
2. Frederick Jackson Turner: The Westward Movement: This section details Turner’s view of the frontier as a dynamic, civilizing force that shaped the American character through westward expansion.
3. Richard Rodriguez: The Northward Shift: The analysis focuses on Rodriguez’s reinterpretation of the frontier concept, shifting the focus from the West to the North as the new horizon of opportunity.
4. Critical Comparison of "Frontier" Concepts: This chapter highlights the dichotomy between historical reporting and personal anecdote, questioning how modern American identity relates to the evolving frontier.
5. Conclusion: The Viewpoint of the Writer: The author concludes that the perception of the "frontier" is fundamentally dependent on the writer’s own geographical and personal vantage point.
Keywords
Frontier, Westward Movement, American Nationalism, Frederick Jackson Turner, Richard Rodriguez, True West, Progress, Civilization, Savagery, Geographical Shift, Identity, Northward Movement, Narrative Style, Historical Analysis, Cultural Perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this essay?
The essay examines the evolution of the term "frontier" in American discourse, specifically by comparing Frederick Jackson Turner’s historical perspective on the West with Richard Rodriguez’s modern narrative of the North.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the dynamic nature of the frontier, the impact of movement on national identity, the distinction between "borders" and "frontiers," and the subjectivity of historical and personal narratives.
What is the main research question?
The work seeks to understand what has become of Turner’s original frontier and how contemporary authors, like Rodriguez, have relocated or redefined the "frontier" in the context of modern American life.
Which methodology does the author use?
The author employs a comparative literary analysis, contrasting the historical and report-based style of Turner with the subjective, anecdotal writing style of Rodriguez.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the definition of the frontier, the personification of the frontier, the analysis of Turner’s dichotomies (savagery/civilization), and Rodriguez’s redefinition of the "True West" as the "True North."
How would you characterize the keywords?
The keywords center on the intersection of geographical movement, cultural identity, and the linguistic evolution of American historical concepts.
How does the author interpret Rodriguez's term "True West"?
The author interprets "True West" as a clever linguistic play, suggesting that Rodriguez is actually pointing the reader toward the "True North" as the modern frontier of progress and future potential.
What role does the "where-am-I" factor play in the author's conclusion?
The author concludes that one's perception of opportunity and progress (the "Golden State") is dictated by their personal origins and current geographical perspective, rather than an absolute historical truth.
- Quote paper
- Christian Dunke (Author), 2004, The Frontier in the North, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/84883
