Who Murdered Joe Magarac?

Abstract

Abstract:The article examines the origin of an American steel industry mythical hero, Joe Magarac. The analysis is based on the original text by Owen Francis from 1931 and aims to resolve a dilemma -whether the text is genuine folklore or fakelore. The analytical method is layered and varied; it involves comparing Francis's text to other elements of folklore from the host country, confronting the meaning of the legend of Joe Magarac with the genuine interests of steelworkers, and contextualising the legend in the social conflicts of the steel industry in Pennsylvania at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.