About This Lesson
Grant Wood’s Parson Weems’ Fable provides a compelling starting point for an inquiry into how folklore and historical accounts shape national identity and promote shared American values.
Grant Wood’s painting invites students to explore Parson Weems’ mythmaking and its role in promoting shared American values and shaping national identity. Weems’ tales highlight the ideals and aspirations cherished by the young nation, but how do they hold up against rigorously researched historical accounts? For instance, the Mount Vernon website offers compelling examples of how to distill credible historical data. In this inquiry study, students will examine Weems’ lore alongside verified accounts, assessing its historical accuracy. They’ll also debate whether Weems’ embellished stories foster patriotic values and unity—or reduce historical figures to caricatures, undermining the lessons of authentic histories.
