Masculinity in Westerns
Final Exam
What makes a hero a hero? In the western movies, The Searchers, High Noon, and Rio Bravo, each film portrays the issue of masculinity in three distinctive ways. In each of these movies the main character is left with defeating the bad guys. In all three of the movies, the main character is able to represent the traditional masculinity, toughness, and honor. In both the movies The Searchers and Rio Bravo, John Wayne plays the main character. Wayne at this time in America was pictured as a hero and a defender of American traditions. He was portrayed as a larger than life cowboy. In most of his western films, Wayne would beat the bad guy, get the girl, and ride out into the sunset. In viewer’s eyes Wayne was pictured as the “Man”. Wayne would stand tall, strong, and confident. He was admired, loved, and respected by many Americans. The first movie that displays its own way of masculinity is The Searchers. John Wayne plays Ethan Edwards, a former Confederate soldier. Throughout the movie Ethan is viewed as strong, tough, and manly. Ethan respects women, and will not give up until he reaches his goal. Ethan’s masculinity and respect for women is almost like he follows the code of chivalry. He does not just portray the classic American cowboy, but also the image of heroic masculinity. Ethan is not the only one that shows masculinity in The Searchers. One way men prove their manhood in this movie is by fighting. During the scene when Debbie is about to get married, Martin and Debbie’s groom, Charlie, fight over Debbie’s love. When they walk outside to fight they show each other respect by removing each other’s coat. Martin and Charlie’s fight prove both men’s masculinity. In the movie High Noon, the main character Will Kane shows his masculinity by standing alone against the Miller gang. At the beginning of the movie Kane is married to his wife and is about to turn in his sheriff badge. But he hears that his archrival, Frank Miller, is coming back to
What makes a hero a hero? In the western movies, The Searchers, High Noon, and Rio Bravo, each film portrays the issue of masculinity in three distinctive ways. In each of these movies the main character is left with defeating the bad guys. In all three of the movies, the main character is able to represent the traditional masculinity, toughness, and honor. In both the movies The Searchers and Rio Bravo, John Wayne plays the main character. Wayne at this time in America was pictured as a hero and a defender of American traditions. He was portrayed as a larger than life cowboy. In most of his western films, Wayne would beat the bad guy, get the girl, and ride out into the sunset. In viewer’s eyes Wayne was pictured as the “Man”. Wayne would stand tall, strong, and confident. He was admired, loved, and respected by many Americans. The first movie that displays its own way of masculinity is The Searchers. John Wayne plays Ethan Edwards, a former Confederate soldier. Throughout the movie Ethan is viewed as strong, tough, and manly. Ethan respects women, and will not give up until he reaches his goal. Ethan’s masculinity and respect for women is almost like he follows the code of chivalry. He does not just portray the classic American cowboy, but also the image of heroic masculinity. Ethan is not the only one that shows masculinity in The Searchers. One way men prove their manhood in this movie is by fighting. During the scene when Debbie is about to get married, Martin and Debbie’s groom, Charlie, fight over Debbie’s love. When they walk outside to fight they show each other respect by removing each other’s coat. Martin and Charlie’s fight prove both men’s masculinity. In the movie High Noon, the main character Will Kane shows his masculinity by standing alone against the Miller gang. At the beginning of the movie Kane is married to his wife and is about to turn in his sheriff badge. But he hears that his archrival, Frank Miller, is coming back to