The History of Hobos

[sistermagpie]

Mad Men this week saw the return of my favorite recurrent symbol: The hobo! Guest character Beth (aka Rory Gilmore) told Pete she didn't like NYC because of "all the hobos." She always made the mistake of making eye contact and giving them money, then they wouldn't leave her alone and she couldn't stop thinking about them. Her dad counseled her to

Comments

[pauraque]

Is it weird that I read the whole post but I've never seen the show? You are like the meta-writing equivalent of fic writers who are so good you read their stuff even when it's in a fandom you don't know. :)

Now I want to read much more about cultural views of homelessness and migrant workers and how they change over time.

[disprove]

//Is it weird that I read the whole post but I've never seen the show? //

Haha, so I'm not the only one. I've seen like the very first episode and that's it, I think. Let us be weird together.

(More often than not I'm not terribly familiar with the canon sistermagpie is talking about, but I keep on reading her meta anyway because to do so is always a pleasure.)

[sistermagpie]

Thank you!

And I do that a lot too. As long as I can follow it I've loved reading meta about canon I didn't actually follow.

[sistermagpie]

Now I feel like a rock star!

And it would be cool to find out actual facts about these things. I totally admit I'm basically just going by basic impressions about how it seems they're viewed in movies etc.

[ava_jamison]

OMG, hobos. I used to know this awesome essay on hobo signs but I can't find it! It's this very funny write up on hobo signs and how the pictures don't always go with the sentiments. Yes, kind-hearted woman is a cat. Count me in with the comment made above that your meta is so fascinating and I don't even watch the show right now! Although I'm more tempted with every meta you write on it. I just don't know if I can go back as far as I need to to not be lost. And I do have one series before it so I better just hurry myself up on BB. Speaking of initials, I always think MM = Marilyn Monroe, so it took me a sec

[tamerterra]

I've never heard a version where he doesn't pipe rats away (and then take the children as punishment for not paying) - what was the first part in your mother's version?

[ava_jamison]

Oh! I kind of rambled there, didn't I. My mom's version was the real version. The version I first learned, from a record, said that instead of the children disappearing forever, in the children's record version, the townspeople learned their lesson, paid what they owed and the children were returned, yay!

Oh, and he drowned the kids. I think she told it like he was only there for that anyway. Hmm, on second thought I guess that's not the standard version at all, really.

[sistermagpie]

I think the only reason I know the cat sign is there was a catalog I used to get that sold a stone for the house with that symbol. It was kind of cutesy. Of course I would love it if you started watching the show again solely so I would have someone else to obsessively babble about it with. I'm totally going to have more to say about Pete. I can feel it.

I remember being totally surprised the first time I heard the original Big Rock Candy mountain because I remember hearing it as a kid and of course, no cigarettes. Or when I saw that movie "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" that's about dance marathons. I only knew dance marathons from Happy Days, which was in the 70s showing dance marathons from the 50s. I guess that was another example of taking something that had once been horrific and making it fun. in the 30s people died in those things!

I'm fascinated by what ep this was now. Not that I can probably identify all of them with a description, but what was Don's second life that you referred to?

[kerosinkanister]

I have to send this to Patricia. Hobo is one of her favorite words. Plus, Mad Men!

Where earlier hobos had some accepted place in society, the homeless don't.

Maybe Travelers today kind fit what used to be hobos?

[sistermagpie]

That could be it.

Hobo is a great word--I realize I don't actually know where it comes from. It must have some history that explains it.

[ishtar79]

I didn't even notice the hobo theme, but now that you mention it, it has been rather strong throughout the series. I liked your contrasting of 30s and 60s hobos-in a way, they're the ultimate representation of how society is changing.

[sistermagpie]

It's such a weird thing, but I love how it manages to fit with the show and all those decades. Don the hobo. It's somehow intriguing!

[etrangere]

your commentary is awesome!

[sistermagpie]

Thank you! I always need an outlet when it comes to this show!