著者

山口 ヨシ子 Yamaguchi Yoshiko

出版者

神奈川大学人文学会

雑誌

人文研究 (ISSN:02877074)

巻号頁・発行日

no.177, pp.1-58, 2012

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This paper deals with some of Edward L. Wheeler's most popular "Deadwood Dick" dime novels. In particular, it attempts to show just why Wheeler created two such unconventional types as that of the outlaw Deadwood Dick, together with his counterpart of Calamity Jane, an untypical Western woman. Wheeler's dime novels have DeadwoodDick playing the part of a "Robin Hood of the West," fighting against social injustice in order to help the poor. Instead of portraying Calamity Jane as a new woman, Wheeler makes her a true Victorian woman. After first showing her violating nineteenth-century standards by dressing as a man, Wheeler finally transforms her into a traditionally devoted wife, happy only when supporting her beloved man. Analyzing these contrasting images, this paper hopes to illustrate both the conventional and unconventional qualities of Wheeler's dime novels.