David Crockett

Most people know David Crockett from the Walt Disney TV show in the 1950s, wearing his coonskin cap and being portrayed as one of the most famous frontiersmen in American history. He was more commonly known as 'Davy Crockett' and lived in a very dangerous and adventurous manner, which was ultimately shaped by the isolationism and westward expansion during that time period. This idea of expansion and the frontier were the central themes during the nineteenth century. Frontier experiences, consisting of this desire for discovery and new opportunity, shaped the national identity of many Americans. Crockett's autobiography gives the reader a glimpse at the frontier life in the early nineteenth century through the experiences in his own life. His autobiography conforms to this idea of rugged individualism on the frontier. However there are times in Crockett's life when he is dependent on others.

David Crockett was noted for his hunting skills throughout his lifetime, which demonstrates his strong individual capacity. Throughout Crockett's years as an Indian fighter, there were many times he set out on his own to hunt and catch food. He would travel through the woods by himself in search of food in order to survive. There is one instance where Crockett shoots a squirrel in a tree and climbs thirty feet above the ground to retrieve the animal. He describes his efforts in hunting small animals in saying, "I shouldn't relate such small matters, only to show what lengths a hungry man will go to, to get something to eat" (Crockett, A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett by Himself, p 118). Crockett's adventures and hunting expeditions by himself were very common on the frontier during that time period. He was famous for his ability to kill large animals including bears, deer, and elk. For example, there was one case in which Crockett killed a bear by himself in total darkness with a butcher's knife. He describes this incident when he states, "I got along easily up to him; and placing my hand on his rump, felt for his shoulder, just behind which I intended to stick him. I made a lounge with my long knife, and fortunately stuck him right through the heart" (Crockett, p 190). It was necessary for Crockett to kill animals in order to survive. In the economically developed East, it was much easier to get food for one's self. However, with hardly any developed areas on the frontier, it was the individual's responsibility to find food and provide for himself.

Not only does David Crocket's skill in areas such as hunting characterize his rugged individualism and outdoorsmanship, but his fierce drive for survival as well. This will to survive is perhaps even more important than the skills to do so. One night Crockett found himself freezing cold in the middle of the wilderness. He concluded he needed to warm himself up, or else he would freeze to death. His fire was dwindling, and his clothes were wet and frozen. He then decided to climb up and down a tree "at least a hundred times" to his reckoning (Crockett, p 191). Davy Crockett was obviously willing to go to the extremes to insure his survival in the unforgiving wilderness. As is evident from this grave example, this quality is an absolute necessity for a frontiersman of this era. In fact, had Davy Crockett not possessed this trait, he may not have survived long enough to evolve into the legend he is now.

Although Davy Crockett was perfectly capable of surviving on his own, he sometimes relied on others. Throughout his adventures and experiences living on the frontier, Crockett often times stayed at people's houses. This dependence upon others truly exemplifies the tough, dangerous life on the frontier. At certain times, it simply becomes too difficult to survive without outside help. After the death of his second wife, Crockett married a widow and soon set out to explore the Creek country with his neighbors Robinson, Frazier, and Rich. It was during this time that Crockett received much needed hospitality while wondering the forest on their adventure. One day their horses escaped, and Crockett then decided to pursue them on foot. He could not catch up to the horses fully but could only come close enough to hear the bells attached to them. As a result, Crockett chose to give up the hunt and "turned back to the last house [he] passed, and staid there till morning" (Crockett, p 128). People on the frontier warmly accepted travelers like Davy Crockett and offered them shelter for the night. It is almost as if these people have a duty to accommodate these travelers due to the isolation of houses and lack of development on the frontier. Crockett then stayed with the Jones family for a couple weeks, and they "treated [Crocket] with every possible kindness in their power, and [he] shall always feel thankful to them" (Crockett, p 130). At the time Crocket was extremely sick, and although he had proven beyond a doubt his ability as an outdoorsman, such stays were necessary given the circumstances.

Davy Crockett's dependence on others is also evident in many forms when he travels to his brother-in-law's house to get the keg of powder. This powder was necessary for Crockett to continue hunting and essentially provide food for his family. Their houses were located six miles apart and were separated by rugged terrain including streams, hills, and snow. Even through the difficult land and cold weather , Crockett's determination and perseverance allowed him to reach his brother-in-law's house. He ultimately gets the powder but is stranded at the house for a few days because of the dreadful weather that arrives. Crockett realizes his family is without meat and feels obligated to try to work his way home. Even though Crockett possessed many qualities of rugged individualism, it was ultimately the help of others which allowed him to display these attributes.

In a similar manner to Davy Crockett's reliance on others, some people relied on Davy Crockett. A prime of example of this dependence would be Davy Crockett's relationship to his father. Similar to how Davy sometimes needed support from others in the form of shelter, Davy's father, who was poor, depended on financial support from his son. For example, Davy helped pay his fathers debt to Mr. Kennedy through six months of work, causing his father to "shed a heap of tears" (Crockett, p 47). Although people on the frontier largely exemplified independent living compared to their counterparts in the already settled East, interdependence was still a large factor for them as well.

David Crockett's autobiography gives people a sense of the lifestyle on the frontier and the necessary skills to survive in an unsettled area. Crocket had a true sense of survival and was capable of achieving success on the frontier through this notion of rugged individualism. However, there were times when he relied on others such as his need for shelter and gun powder. People, such as his father, were dependent upon him too. Altogether, the life on the frontier consisted primarily of personal independence, while at certain times interdependence as well.

Bibliography

1) Crockett, David. A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett by Himself. Philadelphia: Penguin, 1833.