corruption and the criminal element run amok (Slotkin 11). In his discussion of the Myth
of the Frontier, Slotkin documents the prevalence of violence in the Myth of the Frontier
and its connection to societal advancement (11). Societal advancement is central to the
myth, in that according to Slotkin the Myth existed to, first, defend the colonization of
America and then, second, “the Myth was called on to account for our rapid economic
growth, our emergence as a powerful nation-state, and our distinctively American
approach to the socially and culturally disruptive processes of modernization” (10-11).
On the surface, while it may appear Raylan is a remnant of the Frontier long past, he is
in actuality an amalgamation of the Old/New West cowboy. While he does not conform
to the ideals in Miami—he does not fit in with the image of the Miami marshal so he is
quickly sent away—he is accepted in the Lexington office for his skill as a shooter while
simultaneously being chastised for his actions.
While Raylan’s behavior is publically commented on as unacceptable by his
colleagues, privately they revere him. For example, in an encounter with the antagonist,
Boyd Crowder, a former friend of Raylan’s, Boyd draws on Raylan and Raylan proceeds
to shoot him. In 1.2, Art informs Raylan that AUSA David Vasquez is examining Boyd’s
shooting. Incidentally, Raylan gives his reason for shooting Boyd as the same as
before: “What’s there to talk about? He [Boyd] pulled first—there was a witness”
(“Riverbrook”). This behavior is indicative of the gunfighter figure as seen in an interview
with Buffalo Bill Cody (Rosa 40). Regarding Hickok’s performance, Cody notes that it is
not his shooting ability that makes him stand out from others, it is his tendency to
remain calm (Rosa 40). While publically Raylan’s behavior is not approved by some
members of the marshal’s service, there are those that privately applaud him for his
heroism. In 1.8, when a convicted murderer takes hostages in the US Marshal’s office, it
is Art who informs Vasquez that Raylan is to shoot the criminal, Cal Wallace, if he has
the opportunity, that his action has been approved. While there are those that chastise
Raylan for his acts of violence, like the Myth of the Frontier, Raylan’s use of violence
ensures that the way is paved for “moderniz