5.4 The Western's Reflection of American Identity and Values

The Western genre played a crucial role in shaping American identity and values. It emerged as the nation grappled with defining its character after westward expansion. Westerns reflected and reinforced ideas about manifest destiny, civilization vs. savagery, and the mythic cowboy figure.

These films often portrayed a romanticized version of the American West, glossing over complex realities. They reinforced stereotypes about race and gender while celebrating a narrow vision of masculinity. However, some later Westerns began to question and subvert these traditional ideologies.

Western Genre and American Identity

Emergence and Consolidation

Top images from around the web for Emergence and Consolidation

• 

  File:Westward.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  United States 1789-03-1789-08.png View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  American frontier - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Westward.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  United States 1789-03-1789-08.png View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Emergence and Consolidation

• 

  File:Westward.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  United States 1789-03-1789-08.png View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  American frontier - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Westward.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  United States 1789-03-1789-08.png View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• The Western genre emerged in the early 20th century, coinciding with the consolidation of American national identity and the closing of the frontier
• This period marked a significant moment in American history as the nation grappled with defining its character and values in the wake of westward expansion and the end of the frontier era
• The Western genre played a crucial role in shaping and reflecting the dominant narratives and myths surrounding the American West and its place in the national imagination

Manifest Destiny and the Untamed West

• Westerns often depict the American West as a vast, untamed wilderness, reflecting the idea of Manifest Destiny and the belief in America's rightful expansion across the continent
  • Manifest Destiny: the 19th-century belief that American settlers were destined to expand across North America, bringing civilization and progress to the wilderness
  • This belief justified the conquest and colonization of the West, often at the expense of Native American populations and other marginalized groups
• The portrayal of the West as a wild, untamed land reinforced the notion of American exceptionalism and the idea that the nation had a unique mission to tame and transform the frontier

Civilization vs. Savagery

• The genre frequently portrays the conflict between "civilization" and "savagery," with the white, male hero serving as a symbol of American values and progress
  • This binary opposition often cast Native Americans and other non-white characters as the "savage" Other, reinforcing racist stereotypes and justifying the violence and dispossession of indigenous peoples
  • The white, male hero, often a cowboy or lawman, represents the civilizing force of American society, bringing order and justice to the frontier
• This narrative framework reflects the dominant ideology of the time, which saw the American West as a space to be conquered and transformed in the name of progress and civilization

Mythologization of the Cowboy

• Westerns have contributed to the mythologization of the American cowboy as a rugged, individualistic figure embodying freedom, self-reliance, and masculinity
  • The cowboy archetype, as portrayed in countless Western films and novels, became a symbol of American values and identity, representing the ideals of independence, resourcefulness, and bravery
  • This mythic figure, however, often obscured the reality of cowboy life, which was characterized by low wages, hard labor, and diverse ethnic backgrounds
• The celebration of the cowboy as a quintessential American hero reflects the nation's fascination with the frontier and its role in shaping the American character

Romanticization of the American West

• The genre has romanticized the American West as a land of opportunity and adventure, glossing over the complex realities of settler colonialism, displacement of Native Americans, and the transformation of the frontier
  • Western films often present a simplified, idealized version of the American West, emphasizing the beauty of the landscape and the promise of a fresh start for those seeking to escape the constraints of Eastern society
  • This romanticization obscures the violence, dispossession, and exploitation that characterized the settlement of the West, particularly the impact on Native American communities and the environmental degradation brought about by rapid industrialization
• The Western genre's tendency to mythologize the frontier experience reflects a broader American desire to celebrate the nation's past and to find inspiration in the stories of rugged individualism and self-reliance associated with the West

Race, Gender, and Class in Westerns

Stereotypical Representation of Native Americans

• Westerns have often depicted Native Americans as stereotypical "savages" or noble figures, reflecting and reinforcing problematic attitudes towards indigenous peoples
  • The "savage" stereotype, common in early Westerns, portrayed Native Americans as brutal, uncivilized, and a threat to white settlers, justifying their conquest and removal from their lands
  • The "noble savage" trope, while seemingly more positive, still relied on essentialist notions of indigenous peoples as primitive, mystical, and close to nature, denying them agency and complexity
• These stereotypical representations have had a lasting impact on popular perceptions of Native Americans and have contributed to the marginalization and erasure of indigenous experiences and perspectives

Marginalization of People of Color

• The genre has marginalized or excluded the experiences and perspectives of people of color, particularly African Americans and Mexicans, who played significant roles in the American West
  • Despite the presence of Black cowboys, soldiers, and settlers in the historical West, African American characters are often absent or relegated to minor, stereotypical roles in Western films
  • Mexican characters, when present, are frequently portrayed as bandits, sidekicks, or exotic Others, ignoring the complex history of Mexican-American communities in the West and the impact of US territorial expansion on their lives
• The exclusion or stereotyping of people of color in Westerns reinforces a whitewashed vision of the American West and contributes to the erasure of diverse experiences and histories

Gender Roles and the Subordination of Women

• Women in Westerns are frequently portrayed as either civilizing forces or sexual objects, reinforcing traditional gender roles and the subordination of women in American society
  • The "schoolmarm" or "pioneer wife" archetype represents women as moral guardians and nurturers, responsible for bringing culture and refinement to the rough-and-tumble frontier
  • The "saloon girl" or "prostitute with a heart of gold" trope objectifies women and relegates them to the margins of Western society, serving as a foil to the male hero's journey
• These limited and stereotypical representations of women in Westerns reflect and reinforce patriarchal norms and the subordination of women in American culture, denying them agency and complexity

Celebration of Narrow Masculinity

• Westerns have tended to focus on male heroes and male-dominated spaces, celebrating a narrow vision of masculinity based on violence, stoicism, and individualism
  • The Western hero, epitomized by actors like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, embodies a rugged, self-reliant masculinity that relies on physical strength, emotional restraint, and the use of violence to solve problems
  • This narrow conception of manhood marginalizes alternative expressions of masculinity and reinforces harmful gender stereotypes
• The celebration of this archetypal masculinity in Westerns has had a lasting impact on American popular culture and has contributed to the perpetuation of toxic masculine ideals

Obscuring Class and Labor

• The genre has often obscured or simplified issues of class and labor in the American West, focusing on the mythic figure of the cowboy rather than the diverse working-class communities that shaped the region
  • Westerns tend to romanticize the cowboy as a symbol of rugged individualism and freedom, glossing over the reality of cowboy life as low-paid, dangerous labor
  • The genre often ignores the experiences of other working-class communities in the West, such as miners, railroad workers, and farmers, who played crucial roles in the region's development
• By prioritizing the mythic cowboy figure, Westerns obscure the complex class dynamics and labor struggles that characterized the American West, presenting a simplified vision of the frontier experience

Western Genre and Power Structures

Justifying Conquest and Colonization

• Westerns have often served to justify and normalize the conquest and colonization of the American West, presenting it as a necessary and inevitable process of "progress"
  • The genre frequently depicts the settlement of the West as a heroic, civilizing mission, with white settlers bringing order and development to a wild, untamed land
  • This narrative obscures the violence, dispossession, and exploitation that characterized the colonization of the West, particularly the impact on Native American communities and the environmental degradation brought about by rapid industrialization
• By presenting the conquest of the West as a natural and justified process, Westerns have contributed to the erasure of indigenous histories and the normalization of settler colonialism in the American imagination

Reinforcing White, Male Supremacy

• The genre has frequently reinforced the idea of white, male supremacy, depicting white men as the rightful inheritors and masters of the frontier
  • Westerns often center on white, male heroes who embody the values of rugged individualism, self-reliance, and mastery over the land and its inhabitants
  • This narrative marginalizes the experiences and contributions of women, people of color, and indigenous communities, presenting a narrow, exclusionary vision of the American West
• The celebration of white, male supremacy in Westerns reflects and reinforces the dominant power structures and ideologies of American society, perpetuating the marginalization and oppression of non-dominant groups

Questioning Traditional Ideologies

• Some Westerns, particularly in the post-World War II era, began to question and subvert the genre's traditional ideologies, presenting more complex and critical views of the American West and its myths
  • Films like "The Searchers" (1956) and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962) interrogate the simplistic moral frameworks and racial politics of earlier Westerns, offering more nuanced and ambivalent portraits of the frontier experience
  • These revisionist Westerns often explore the psychological and moral complexities of the Western hero, challenging the archetypal figure of the righteous, unambiguous cowboy
• The emergence of revisionist Westerns reflects a broader cultural shift in American society, as the nation grappled with the legacies of racism, violence, and imperialism in the wake of World War II and the Civil Rights Movement

Challenging Romanticization of Violence

• Revisionist Westerns of the 1960s and 1970s, such as "The Wild Bunch" (1969) and "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" (1971), challenged the genre's romanticization of violence and simplistic moral frameworks
  • These films often depicted violence in a more graphic, brutal manner, emphasizing its physical and psychological toll on characters and communities
  • They also explored the moral ambiguity of the Western hero, presenting characters who were more flawed, conflicted, and self-interested than the archetypal cowboys of earlier films
• The revisionist Western's critique of violence and moral simplicity reflects a growing disillusionment with the mythic narratives of the American West and a desire to confront the darker aspects of the nation's history and identity

Contemporary Interrogations of the Genre

• Contemporary Westerns, such as "Unforgiven" (1992) and "Brokeback Mountain" (2005), have further interrogated the genre's assumptions about masculinity, violence, and the legacy of the American frontier
  • "Unforgiven" presents a deconstruction of the Western hero, exploring the psychological and moral consequences of a life defined by violence and revenge
  • "Brokeback Mountain" challenges the genre's heteronormative assumptions, depicting a same-sex romantic relationship between two cowboys and exposing the oppressive gender norms of the Western world
• These contemporary Westerns reflect a growing willingness to question and subvert the traditional ideologies and power structures embedded in the genre, offering more diverse, inclusive, and critical perspectives on the American West and its place in the national imagination

Enduring Legacy of the Western Genre

Shaping American Cinema

• The Western has been one of the most enduring and influential genres in American cinema, shaping the development of the film industry and the language of visual storytelling
  • The genre's emphasis on action, spectacle, and mythic storytelling has had a profound impact on the evolution of American film, influencing everything from editing techniques to the use of landscape and setting
  • Westerns have also been instrumental in establishing the star system in Hollywood, with actors like John Wayne, Gary Cooper, and Clint Eastwood becoming iconic figures synonymous with the genre and American cinema as a whole
• The Western's central role in the history of American film reflects the genre's deep connection to American national identity and its ability to capture the imagination of audiences across generations

Iconic Films, Directors, and Stars

• The genre has produced numerous iconic films, directors, and stars, such as John Ford, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood, who have become synonymous with American cinema and popular culture
  • John Ford's films, such as "Stagecoach" (1939) and "The Searchers" (1956), are widely regarded as masterpieces of the genre, known for their sweeping landscapes, mythic storytelling, and complex characters
  • John Wayne, often considered the quintessential Western hero, starred in dozens of iconic Westerns, including "Red River" (1948) and "The Searchers," embodying the rugged, individualistic masculinity associated with the genre
  • Clint Eastwood, both as an actor and director, has been instrumental in reshaping the Western genre, starring in revisionist classics like "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" (1966) and directing critical favorites like "Unforgiven" (1992)
• These iconic figures have left an indelible mark on American popular culture, shaping the way audiences imagine and engage with the mythic narratives of the American West

Influence on Other Genres

• Westerns have influenced and been influenced by other genres, such as the gangster film, the war movie, and the science fiction film, demonstrating the genre's adaptability and cultural resonance
  • The Western's themes of masculinity, violence, and moral ambiguity have been explored in genres like the gangster film, which often transposes the Western's archetypal conflicts to urban settings
  • War films, particularly those set in the American Civil War or the American Indian Wars, have drawn on the Western's iconography and mythic storytelling to explore issues of national identity, sacrifice, and the costs of westward expansion
  • Science fiction films, such as "Star Wars" (1977) and "Firefly" (2002), have adapted the Western's frontier narratives and archetypal characters to futuristic settings, exploring the genre's themes in new contexts
• The Western's influence across genres reflects its deep roots in American popular culture and its ability to resonate with audiences across time and space

Iconography and Themes in Popular Culture

• The iconography and themes of the Western, such as the lone hero, the frontier landscape, and the struggle between "good" and "evil," have become deeply ingrained in American popular culture and mythology
  • The image of the solitary cowboy, riding across a vast, untamed landscape, has become a powerful symbol of American individualism, freedom, and self-reliance
  • The Western's frontier setting, with its rugged mountains, deserts, and prairies, has become an iconic representation of the American landscape and the nation's sense of natural grandeur and possibility
  • The genre's archetypal conflicts, such as the struggle between civilization and savagery, order and chaos, and good and evil, have become central to American moral and political discourse
• The Western's iconography and themes have permeated American popular culture, from fashion and advertising to political rhetoric and national self-imagination, reflecting the genre's enduring significance in shaping American identity and values

Contemporary Engagement with Western Mythology

• Despite the decline of the traditional Western in recent decades, the genre's influence can still be seen in contemporary films, television shows, and other media that engage with the mythology and legacy of the American West
  • Films like "No Country for Old Men" (2007) and "Hell or High Water" (2016) draw on the Western's themes and iconography to explore contemporary issues of violence, morality, and the changing face of the American West
  • Television shows like "Deadwood" (2004-2006) and "Westworld" (2016-present) offer revisionist takes on the Western genre, exploring the darker aspects of the frontier experience and the blurred lines between reality and myth
  • Other media, such as video games like "Red Dead Redemption" (2010) and "Oregon Trail" (1971), allow audiences to interact with and shape the Western mythos, engaging with the genre's themes and iconography in new, participatory ways
• The ongoing engagement with Western mythology in contemporary popular culture reflects the genre's enduring significance and its ability to adapt and evolve in response to changing social, cultural, and political contexts, offering new perspectives on the American West and its place in the national imagination