E. M. Flemings Model of Artifact Study and the Work Boot :: Sociology Society Culture

E. M. Fleming's "Model of Artifact Study" and the Work Boot The work boot has become a hot item for many girls and young women. This artifact of appearance may reveal a lot about American culture and society in the 1990's. By applying E. M. Fleming's "Model of Artifact Study", I will analyze this artifact in an attempt to shed some light on the values, priorities, and ideals of our society. Just like Fleming's model suggests, this paper will be broken down into four major sections: Identification, Evaluation, Cultural Analysis, and Interpretation. Identification The Eastland work boot that I am referring to in this paper is shown below. It was manufactured in Freeport, Maine. Click on the picture for a catalog description from JCPenney. This is a wheat-colored, waterproof, plain-toe (as opposed to steel-toe) boot made for women. The soft Nubuck leather feels almost velvety. It has a thick rubber sole which looks like a gum eraser with a complicated traction pattern. The boot seems to be put together mainly by stitching and in most places, only one row of stitching is used. The only area that looks as if it may have the additional help of glue, is where the sole meets the leather-upper. It is clearly stitched here as well, but the stitches are coated with glue (possibly to help keep these stitches dry). The shoe-strings, which look like yellow and brown cords, are laced through a total of twelve holes (called "eyes") on each boot. There are six "eyes" lined up vertically on each side of the tongue. In this way, the shoe-strings can be laced in the traditional criss-cross pattern forming five "X's", one above the next, up the front of the boot. These "X's" are located in front of the tongue. The ends of each shoe-string are tied in a bow which lies flush against the highest "X". At the top of the boot, there is padding built into the collar that wraps around the back of the calf, just above the Achilles' tendon. This area doesn't seem to be made entirely of leather. Instead, it seems as if this cushion is made from a very thin, darker brown, soft leather lining stuffed with foam. Overall, the boot is very light-weight, weighing only 2.8 lbs. Evaluation It is interesting to compare this boot, worn for fashion, to the ones worn by construction workers, for durability and foot protection. These real work boots, designed for men, are shown in the picture to the right.