History and myth begin to entangle during the lives of outlaw heroes and in relation to the social, economic and political factors of their particular time and place. Their deeds, real and imagined, are widely celebrated and their failings largely ignored. After their demise the deep processes of mythmaking begin to shape the outlaw hero in accordance with the already established tradition. The lives and legends of outlaw heroes are enmeshed in an ongoing interaction in which folklore, the media, art, literature, drama, tourism and the heritage industry dance with each other around the outlaw's image. The resulting conflicting and competing interpretations of the significance of individual outlaws can produce local heroes, media stereotypes, romanticised ideals and even national icons. As well as the processes of mythmaking inherent in the folkloric and media representations of outlaws, most of these individuals also play a role, often a significant one involving action and articulation, in the making of their legends. Together, these are the processes through which real and mythical outlaw heroes are retrospectively constructed and reconstructed.

One of the most commonly encountered outlaw hero folktales is told in many parts of the world in ballad or story form. A poor old widow woman (or other socially vulnerable individual) cannot pay her rent. Nevertheless, the avaricious landlord extracts the last penny she has, leaving her without the means of subsistence.