Buffalo Bill Masculinity

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This Antimodernist masculinity of Buffalo Bill is shown with the story in which Buffalo Bill wins his name. In a dangerous situation with stampeding Buffalo and Indians on the horizon, Buffalo Bill crafts an adventurous escape plan. He drops down from a tree on to the back of a bull, riding it away to safety as it attempts to buck him off. More than that, “Billy kept his seat nobly, a grim smile upon his face, and occasionally glanced behind at the herd and the pursuing Indians” (Ingraham IX). Riding away from danger Billy keeps his composure aboard the thrusting animal, and even maintains a “grim smile.” This attitude demonstrates the maturity, determination, and strength that young Billy possesses. Riding a wild bull is the definition of…show more content…
After years on the move in the West, Buffalo Bill has a feeling to settle down with a woman and fall in love. He goes to Missouri to court Louise Frederici and ultimately wins her over. Soon after though, Bill changes his mind: “But at last, finding he could make more money on the plains, and that being to his liking he left his wife with his sister and once more started for the far West, this time as a Government scout at Fort Ellsworth” (Ingraham XXIII). So with just one quick removal from excitement, Bill strongly dislikes the dull house life. He wants to seek the “real experiences” that the West has to offer, not sit by and be a husband. In the house he cannot use his hands and strength, he would be forced to find wage work rather than the wild, exciting, and unpredictable jobs he is accustomed to. Since he can make more money, and therefore be a better man, Bill becomes a scout. Enticed by the danger of the job, he is actually looking forward to risking his life somewhat to be seen as more of a man and provider. The comfortable settled life with a wife is simply not enough to satisfy an Antimodernist man such as Buffalo Bill. He was built to go out and be a physical force that experiences pain – not to play

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