Davy Crockett

The article that I read was entitled “The Deaths and Three Resurrections of Davy Crockett“ and was written by Daniel G. Hoffman.  Daniel G. Hoffman main emphasizes what a strong cultural impact Davy Crockett has on both young and old Americans. Why is this? Perhaps it is the simple ideal of a rugged individual and heroism. Davy Crockett was the classic frontiersman with a coonskin cap and was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in. There is something classically American in this imagine of Davy Crockett. An important part of our American culture is rugged individualism- our wonderful nation was carved out of a hostile and beautiful wilderness. We are individuals with help of God conquered the wilderness, and have a tough fighting instinct to us. Another part of our American culture is standing up for what we believe in. Throughout American history we American citizens have cherished our rights and liberties and would defend them with our lives. When King George III of the United Kingdom was trying to take away our rights, the American citizens rose up against. We the American citizens eventually had a revolution and broke free from the United Kingdom. This is only part of why we American are so protective of our rights, and shows what an important cultural aspect this is. Americans love Davy Crockett since his determination and leaderships seems like something out of the American Revolutionary era of an earlier day than Crockett.  

Not only is the story of Davy Crockett for those in the 19^th century, but for us today also. People need heroes to look up to and admire- Davy Crockett’s courage can be applied to situations today also. It may make us unpopular, but in the long run standing up for your rights is more rewarding than sitting down and letting your rights disappear.

Davy Crockett is according to the article a wonderful picture of a hero. This is true, Crockett was not perfect by any means but history is full of stories of real men and women. The beauty of history is we can learn from these great and famous people of the past to better our own lives.

 

 

 

 

Citations:
Hoffman, Daniel G. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/4610304?seq=3>

The Eaton Affair

The Peggy Eaton scandal was one of the most shaking and dramatic social events of the Andrew Jackson presidential administration. Peggy O’Neill Timberlake Eaton was the wife of Secretary of War John Eaton. Peggy Eaton was accused of adultery, and snubbed by all of the other cabinet wives in Andrew Jackson’s cabinet. President Andrew Jackson decided he had to defend Peggy Eaton’s honor, because Peggy Eaton reminded Andrew Jackson of his own wife Rachel. Rachel Jackson was married to a man who did not have a good relationship with her, so Rachel devoiced him and married Andrew Jackson. The divorce was not finalized correctly so Rachel’s ex-husband sued for adultery. In the intense 1828 election, Rachel’s so called “adultery” became a huge issue. Rachel Jackson was very sensitive, and upon reading a pamphlet accusing her of adultery Rachel Jackson suffered a heart attack and died. Andrew Jackson was very outraged, and took it as his own responsibility to defend the honor of women. When Andrew Jackson saw Peggy Eaton being snubbed Andrew decided to defend Peggy’s honor as well.  In Margaret Coit’s book “John C. Calhoun: American Portrait” Vice President John C. Calhoun brushes this whole Peggy Eaton scenario off as a silly women’s game. Calhoun was wrong, analyzing this from history shows the social schemes of Washington do effect policy. Andrew Jackson forced most of his cabinet to resign over the Peggy Eaton affair. This may have been silly business as John C. Calhoun would have said, but it did effect the atmosphere of Washington, DC.  Not only is this a story of the past- but the Peggy Eaton story can be applied to present also. Our actions are being watched by the world, they want to see what we are doing and they will try to watch us stumble. We may be thinking what John C. Calhoun was thinking that “this is silly business having people judge us by rumors” but it is sadly true. We must always be lights to the world.  God calls us to be salt and light to the lost, this does not mean to ignore and shun those who are sinners like Peggy Eaton was- but instead we should minister and reach out to the Peggy Eatons of the world and show them Christ’s love.