Thomas Carlyle's Theory: Johnny Cash, The Great Man

The Great Man Theory – Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash, the Great Man
Thomas Carlyle’s popular theory of the great man is defined as one who was highly influential due to their personal charisma, intelligence, wisdom or political skill, utilizing one or many of these skills to change or create a path in history . Johnny Cash can be defined by Thomas Carlyle’s great man theory due to his influential impact on the history of music through his unique voice and continuous disrespect for authorities. Cash challenged Carlyle’s theory because of his ‘bad boy’ reputation and false impressions that he made on society of his time. Although through his life he worked to align with the great man theory, overcoming his ongoing drug addictions, family disputes,
One of these being the Folsom Prison concert that Cash performed in 1968. According to Cash’s biography, he described the prison as a dull atmosphere with no joy . He believed that his country music could bring joy and love to those who had been imprisoned within massive sand stone walls. The inmates were ecstatic with his performance, causing a major ruckus for the guards. Johnny gained an enormous amount of respect from not only the prisoners but somehow society as well. It was said by Rosanne Cash, one of Johnny’s four daughters that Folsom was the moment that he stepped into the spotlight of country music . His performance in 1968 led him to perform again later that year. He brought his passion for country and blues music to the prisoners of Folsom because they were not able to listen to his music. His two performances in 1968 lead him to record his 27th album ‘At Folsom Prison’ which soon became a massive hit to the country genre. The success of ‘At Folsom Prison’ revitalized Cash 's career; according to Cash, "that 's where things really got started for me again”
There are numerous reasons as to why Cash is believed to align with the great man theory. Throughout his career, his family and friends stood by and guided him in directions that lead to becoming the great man he was. The love of his life, June Carter was the angel that he had been searching for. He could not have been so successful without her standing by his side each performance. Various drug addictions lead his life to a slump. When he had finally hit rock bottom in 1967 there was nowhere else to go but up. His ability to overcome such addictions proves as to one reason why he was such a great man. Not only to overcome his addictions but to continue to make music inspired people that nothing is impossible. Cash’s various awards and inductions into several halls of fame aligned him to be the great man that he was. After overcoming his worries Johnny Cash aligned with the great man theory changing the course of