The plagiarized and correct quotations and paraphrases below come from the
following passage from page 644 of Gunfighter Nation: The Myth of the Frontier
in Twentieth-Century America, a book by Richard Slotkin. The use of mythic allusion to lend a politician the afflatus of a hero was
hardly unique to Reagan. William Henry Harrison traded on his Indian-fighting
laurels to gain the presidency in 1840, and in 1900 Theodore Roosevelt rode
into national office as [CDATA["]]The Rough Rider[CDATA["]] and [CDATA["]]The Cowboy President.[CDATA["]]
But Roosevelt's claim to those titles was proved by reference to his actual
deeds as a stockman, sheriff, and Rough Rider, while Reagan's claim to historic
character was based entirely on references to imaginary deeds performed in a
purely mythic space. The difference between them indicates the change that has
occurred in our political culture over this century: the myths produced by mass
culture have become credible substitutes for actual historical or political
action in authenticating the character and ideological claims of political leaders.
Inaccurate Quotation: As Slotkin points out, [CDATA["]]The use of mythic allusion to lend a politician
the afflatus of a hero was [. . .] unique to Reagan[CDATA["]] (644). (This is unacceptable because omitting the word hardly makes the quotation
appear to say nearly the opposite of what Slotkin actually says.) Accurate Quotation: As Slotkin points out, [CDATA["]]The use of mythic allusion to lend a politician
the afflatus of a hero was hardly unique to Reagan[CDATA["]] (644). Inaccurate Quotation: Slotkin explains that Reagan resembled Theodore Roosevelt, who [CDATA["]]rode into
national office as ‘The Rough Rider' and ‘The Cowboy President'[CDATA["]] (644). (This quotation is inaccurate because it makes Slotkin appear to focus on the
similarities between Reagan and Roosevelt when, in fact, Slotkin emphasizes
the differences between these two so-called [CDATA["]]cowboy presidents.[CDATA["]]) Accurate Quotation: In comparing Reagan to Theodore Roosevelt, who [CDATA["]]rode into national office
as ‘The Rough Rider' and ‘The Cowboy President'[CDATA["]] (644), Slotkin observes
that Roosevelt really had been a Rough Rider and cowboy, while Reagan merely
worked as an actor in Western movies. Inaccurate Paraphrase: Slotkin points out that heroes have always made great presidents, using as
his examples William Henry Harrison, famous as an Indian fighter; Theodore Roosevelt,
a well-known outdoorsman and military hero; and Ronald Reagan, a popular star
(644). (This paraphrase is inaccurate because Slotkin does not make claims
about the greatness of these men as presidents and because the passage actually
emphasizes how Reagan differed from the other men, not how the three were similar.) Accurate Paraphrase: Slotkin points out that presidential candidates have sometimes tried to give
themselves mythic stature to get elected: William Henry Harrison used his fame
as an Indian fighter and Theodore Roosevelt his notable experiences as an outdoorsman
and military man to become president, while Ronald Reagan used his career as
a movie actor to show himself as a hero (644). Inaccurate Paraphrase: Slotkin notes that in the past, politicians' deeds demonstrated whether or
not they possessed moral character and political commitment, while today the
way political figures are portrayed in popular culture can be used to evaluate
them (644). (This paraphrase is inaccurate because it makes Slotkin appear to argue that
both deeds and perceptions are equally valid ways to evaluate political figures.) Accurate Paraphrase: Slotkin notes that in the past, politicians' deeds demonstrated whether or
not they possessed moral character and political commitment, but today, voters
often merely consider the way a political figure is portrayed in popular culture
when making up their minds (644). |