A Lesson at a Glance

“Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’!” opens in the cornfields of the Western plains. High on his horse, the young rancher Curly sings about the hazy meadows, cornfields and birdsong that greet him on his early morning journey. Curly’s clothes and mode of transportation are valuable clues to the time period in which this scene takes place, while the sweeping prairies and cornfields leave a strong impression of the story’s setting. As the scene progresses, Curly’s confident swagger, banter with Aunt Eller and flirtation with Laurey introduce the characters that fill out this setting and develop through the plot.

Set against a flat expanse of land, the Oklahoma Boomers featured in this photograph provide a striking contrast to the character Curly, with his scrubbed face and spotless breeches. The wooden shanty, flat expanse of land and dirty, rumpled appearance of the Boomers are a stark reflection of the difficult conditions westward moving settlers endured. A noticeable absence of women in this photograph suggests the social environment shared by settlers and raises important questions about how women
are portrayed in Oklahoma! and how the musical’s plot is carried forward by the interaction of male and female characters.

Together, “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’!” and this photograph help students understand both the popular perception and the harsh realities of westward expansion, while raising specific issues such as the role of women in the West, infringement on Indian Territory and the transition from territory into statehood.