<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Individualism is a hallmark descriptor of American culture. Frederick Jackson Turner’s seminal Frontier Thesis argued that such individualism has its roots in the frontier. While some have questioned this, subsequent studies have found empirical support for the cultural significance of the frontier experience. It is therefore worth revisiting relevant literature to explore depictions of individualism and all of its nuances. This paper examines individualism in Louis L’Amour’s <italic>Dark Canyon</italic>. L’Amour’s work, spanning more than fifty years, have embodied the quintessential Western novel. This paper’s analysis is guided by a proposed framework of individualism coming from inherent traits of the American frontier. These include the following: selective migration, rugged conditions, and opportunity for advancement through hard work. The author posits that this picture of individualism is reflected and expressed in <italic>Dark Canyon</italic>.</p>
</abstract>

Individualism is a hallmark descriptor of American culture. Frederick Jackson Turner’s seminal Frontier Thesis argued that such individualism has its roots in the frontier. While some have questioned this, subsequent studies have found empirical support for the cultural significance of the frontier experience. It is therefore worth revisiting relevant literature to explore depictions of individualism and all of its nuances. This paper examines individualism in Louis L’Amour’s Dark Canyon. L’Amour’s work, spanning more than fifty years, have embodied the quintessential Western novel. This paper’s analysis is guided by a proposed framework of individualism coming from inherent traits of the American frontier. These include the following: selective migration, rugged conditions, and opportunity for advancement through hard work. The author posits that this picture of individualism is reflected and expressed in Dark Canyon.

The Desire for a Home: Individualism in Louis L’Amour’s Dark Canyon

Journal of Language and Cultural Education

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"The Desire for a Home: Individualism in Louis L\u2019Amour\u2019s Dark Canyon"}

Individualism is a hallmark descriptor of American culture. Frederick Jackson Turner’s seminal Frontier Thesis argued that such individualism has its roots in...

The Desire for a Home: Individualism in Louis L’Amour’s Dark Canyon

Published Online: Mar 19, 2023

Page range: 54 - 62

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jolace-2022-0017

Keywords
individualism, Frontier Thesis, Louis L’Amour

© 2022 Guy Redmer, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The Desire for a Home: Individualism in Louis L’Amour’s Dark Canyon

Published Online: Mar 19, 2023

Page range: 54 - 62

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jolace-2022-0017

Keywordsindividualism, Frontier Thesis, Louis L’Amour

© 2022 Guy Redmer, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
individualism, Frontier Thesis, Louis L’Amour