Abstract This paper takes a look at the Donner Party, one of the great survival stories in the expansive history of the American taming of the West. According to the paper, the Donner Party resorted to cannibalism as a means of survival. The paper discusses how research has shown that these stories of cannibalism, which have caused a painful black mark on the Donner family name, may be completely false as they pertain to the Donners themselves.
Outline:
Donner: The Name of Tragedy
A Media Firestorm Erupts
Cannibalism Accepted as Fact
Conclusion
From the Paper "For a century and a half, the American public has essentially labeled the Donner Party, and, by extension the Donner family, as cannibals. The sensationalized media reports that first emerged after the rescue of the Donner Party became widely accepted with time, although they were based mostly on unreliable first-person reports and gossip (Donner cannibalism, 2006). In fact, Eliza Poor Donner Houghton, a member of the party, recalls how Donner Party members would read supposed first-person accounts in newspapers and become shocked with how remarkably accurate information was interspersed with wild fabrications and innuendo (Houghton, 1911). "
Abstract This paper tells the story of the Donner Party's attempted trek from Illinois to California in 1846-1847. The author uses George Rippey Stewart's book, "Ordeal by Hunger: The Story of the Donner Party," to tell the story of the one of the many ill-fated attempts follow that generation's dream of moving westward. The book tells a riveting tale of some of America's earliest pioneers, and the hardships they faced.
From the Paper "We see in the story of the Donner Party stupidity and courage, an inappropriate faith among some of the party in the rightness of their own course, and a willingness by others to put the needs and wisdom of others before their own. Certainly part of the reason that this story remains so compelling for us today is its lurid details (for some reason, cannibalism always seems to help sell books). But the ways in which people respond to tragedy and great challenges also makes for compelling stories, and this book is such an enjoyable one because it focuses on the latter rather than the former."
This paper looks at the tragic consequences of a routing decision made by those journeying with the Donner Party across the snowy mountains to California.
Abstract In the middle of the 19th Century, one of the major proponents of the emigration from the mid-west to the west was Lansford W. Hastings. The paper gives the background of this lawyer who traveled to California and led the Donner Party on their journey. The writer looks at how Hastings dramatically underestimated mileage and led his party into disaster.
From the Paper "Hastings seized on the information in Fremont's "Report of the Exploring Expedition" and touted it to support his own untested speculations. With his friends Jim Bridger and Vasquez, he encouraged and invited groups stopping at Fort Bridger for rest, repair and provisions, to concentrate their numbers and strength and to take his new route, the "Hastings Cutoff". He promised it would shorten the distance, would have plenty of grass and water and level land. (Schlindler)."
Abstract This three-page undergraduate-level paper discusses cannibalism in 1846 along the Oregon Trail. The experience of the Donner Party is examined in order to resolve the issue of whether or not cannibalism is ever justified.
Abstract The paper examines the film "Gold Rush" and shows how Charlie Chaplin went against the societal trends of his time by portraying social perspectives and ideals. The paper describes the film that is partially based on the infamous gold rush in Alaska where many men died with hopes and dreams of finding gold. The paper demonstrates how this film presented the hopes, dreams and failures of average working people in America.
From the Paper ""The Gold Rush is the quintessential Chaplin film, with a balance of slapstick comedy and pantomime, social satire, and emotional and dramatic moments of tenderness" (Dirks). It is a film that is partially based on the infamous gold rush in Alaska where many men died with hopes and dreams of finding gold. And, it is also influenced some what by the story of the Donner party, as some of the scenes were filmed in Northern California in the region where the Donner party was headed (Dirks)."
