An Analysis Of Sam Patch's 'Leap At Passaic Falls'

In “Base and Superstructure in Marxist Cultural Theory,” Williams describes the existence of “residual” and “alternative” cultures within the dominant culture of the modern era. According to Williams definition of “residual” and “alternative” culture, Sam Patch’s leap at Passaic Falls on July 4th, 1828 was indeed a form of residual alternative culture. The term “residual alternative culture” can be defined as an alternative cultural practice to a modern dominant culture that is influenced by old cultural practices. Sams 4th of July leap represented a cultural alternative to the residual practice of excluding lower-class citizens from Independence Day celebrations in Patterson. Sam was trying to incorporate the plain people of Patterson into

the arts.
In Raymond Williams “ Base and Superstructure in Marxist Theory” he explains that there is a dominant social structure in society. However, at the same time an individual or group can oppose, or challenge that social structure. The dominant culture would be considered the influential force in terms of culture. Williams never gave concrete definition nor a section for dominant culture. He did however define other cultural types, specifically “residual” and “alternative” culture. Williams’s idea of alternative culture is based around Hegemony. Hegemony is as the dominant influence of one group over another group made up of political, cultural, social, and economic forces. Williams stresses “in any society, in any particular period, there is a central system of practices, meanings and values, which we can properly call dominant and effective.” The dominant culture is not something set in stone, it is actually very flexible. He further argues that “we have to recognize alternative meanings and values, the alternative opinions and attitudes, even some alternative senses of the world, which can be accommodated and tolerated within a particular effective and dominant culture” (414). Williams is arguing that there are cultural practices with-in society that can be considered alternative to the dominant culture. Residual culture is defined as the influence of old cultural practices on modern societies, consciously or unconsciously. Williams defines it as a “residue-cultural as well as social-of some previous social formation” (Williams, 415).
In the novel “Sam Patch” each of Sam’s jumps represented a different form of culture. In Pawtucket, Sam’s jump wasn’t meant as a protest it was just a form of entertainment. In Holboken, Sams jump was considered a turning point. It was more about a form of entertainment than oppositional. In Niagara, it was about popular culture, he had gained international fame. He was jumping in front of a wealthy audience. In Rochester, he was drunk and it was a circus type of atmosphere. Rochester represented a form of selective tradition.
Sam Patches leap on July 4th 1928 at Passaic represented a form of residual alternative culture. Patch’s leaps along with Cranes’s fireworks were the first commercial entertainments ever advertised for Independence Day at Paterson. (Johnson, 61). Independence day festivities in Patterson in the 1820’s “demonstrated republican hierarchy and celebrated the dignity and usefulness of white men—dignity that derived from daily work” (Johnson, 64). The year 1828 was different from previous years because its festivities weren’t as civically inclusive. Tim Crane’s firework show was presented for an “exclusive” audience of upper class individuals at Forest Gardens. The show could only be witnessed by ticket holders. He quoted “ where the refinements of taste and art combined with the varied and romantic beauties of nature, to afford pleasure and satisfaction to the numerous company present” (Johnson, 65). The festivities planned in Patterson at that time were more biased towards the upper-class, which happens to be the opposite of Sam Patches background. Sam Patches leap on July 4th did indeed represent a form of residual alternative culture.
I would argue it was a form oppositional culture as well.

Sam was trying to incorporate the people into the arts. He was opposing the dominant society by leaping for those lower class individuals that were neglected from the festivities. Johnson stated “the plain people of Paterson, absent as usual from the ceremonies at the church and hotel, had been excluded from the planning, denied the civic fireworks show, denigrated in the parade, and ignored by the toastmasters. They marched in battalions to the falls to see Sam Patch” (66). The quote “the plain people of Patterson, absent as usual from the ceremonies…” is an example of residual culture. The plain people of Patterson being excluded from the festivities as usual is an example of an old cultural practice being passed down to modern society. The time scheduled the leap is an example of alternative/oppositional culture. Sam scheduled the leap at time when the town’s merchants and manufacturers were at the banquet celebrating progress and patriotism. His leap represented an alternative to the residual culture of excluding the lower-class people of Patterson. He wasn’t leaping for the upper-class citizens; his leap was a way of including the lower-class people of Patterson into the arts. Even at his death, his legacy represented an alternative to the dominant society. He proved that anyone could be famous. Even though he didn’t possess the virtues of a hero such as education or social status he was still able to become

one.
The concept of culture and hegemony is rooted in all layers of society. The dominant culture is not something that is firmly imposed; it’s actually under constant ambiguity. This flexibility lends itself to the ideas of the existence of “alternative” and “residual” cultures. The term “residual alternative culture” can be defined as an alternative cultural practice to a modern dominant culture that is influenced by old cultural practices. That being said, one must question whether there is a distinction (specifically in popular culture) between intentional “alternative” cultures, and those that are just not deemed acceptable by the dominant culture. I believe any culture that fights against the dominant culture should be labeled as “oppositional” rather than “alternative”.