Broncho Billy, Billy the Kid, Buffalo Bill - there hardly seems to be anyone in the world who has never heard about the heroes of American Western culture. Nowadays, cowboys are considered to be the embodiment of freedom and independence. Whereas cowboys have existed for hundreds of years, however, their image has changed over the centuries. In the 18thand 19thcentury, ‘cow boys’ were considered bad guys as they were bandits who remorselessly ambushed colonial farmers. It was not until the period after the Civil War that the word cowboy attained a positive connotation, being associated with rough men on horses who herded cattle. In the course of time, the cowboy figure was glorified and became a symbol of the American spirit. A plague in the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Wyoming summarizes the glorification as it reads: “The cowboy is a mythic character in America. We admire him for his
independence, his honesty, his modesty and courage. He represents the best
in all Americans as he stares down evil and says, ‘When you call me that,
smile’.” When the motion picture was invented at the end of the 19th century, some of the first silent movies were documentations about cowboys, embodying the frontier spirit of the American culture, which has always been connected to the westward expansion of civilisation and the conquest of new unknown territories. Thus both the frontier and “the Western oppose[s] Wilderness to Civilization” as Will Wright puts it in his book Six Guns and Society. Edwin Porter’s The Great Train Robberycame to be the first Western narrating a story and fascinated the audience. In the following years, Western movies were most popular among the audience and were consequently produced in large numbers. Still today, they rank among the most beloved movie genres. Although the movie genre Western did not always stay at the peak of success, however, the boom was revived on a large scale in the 1950s. In this paper, I will try to reveal the fascination implicated in Western movies and analyse the figure of the cowboy against the background of the 1950s. In doing so, I will include the investigation of gender roles and the effects Westerns had on society. Casually, I will also draw on the popular TV Western series Gunsmoke which ought to serve as a demonstrative example. As far as the movie genre Western is concerned, the era of the 1950s was shaped by radical changes. [...]
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Cowboy Figure: Evolution and Glorification
- Westerns in the 1950s: A Resurgence
- The Rise of Television Westerns: Gunsmoke as a Case Study
- Psychological and Sociological Dimensions of Westerns
- Thematic Conflicts and Moral Messages in Westerns
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the enduring fascination with Western movies and the figure of the cowboy, particularly within the context of the 1950s. It explores the genre's evolution, its reflection of societal changes, and its psychological and sociological impact.
- The evolving image of the cowboy throughout history.
- The resurgence of the Western genre in the 1950s, including its artistic and commercial aspects.
- The rise of television Westerns and the impact of shows like Gunsmoke.
- The psychological and sociological dimensions of Westerns in the 1950s.
- The moral messages and thematic conflicts present in Westerns.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage for the paper by introducing the enduring popularity of the American Western and the iconic figure of the cowboy. It briefly touches on the historical evolution of the cowboy's image, from a villainous bandit to a symbol of American freedom and independence, highlighting the shift in perception that occurred after the Civil War. The introduction also previews the paper's focus on analyzing the Western genre's fascination, particularly within the context of the 1950s, and its examination of gender roles and societal effects.
The Cowboy Figure: Evolution and Glorification: This chapter delves into the historical transformation of the cowboy's image. It traces the shift from the negative perception of cowboys as outlaws in the 18th and 19th centuries to their subsequent glorification as symbols of American ideals like freedom, honesty, and courage. The chapter uses examples from popular culture, including quotes from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, to highlight this positive rebranding and the creation of a mythic figure representing the best aspects of the American spirit. The evolving depiction of cowboys, from bandits to heroes, illustrates a complex and dynamic relationship between reality and mythmaking within American culture.
Westerns in the 1950s: A Resurgence: This chapter focuses on the significant revival of the Western genre in the 1950s. It notes the shift in portrayals of Native Americans, with some Westerns moving towards pro-Indian narratives and challenging traditional villainous representations. The chapter also discusses the concurrent rise of "deluxe Westerns," highlighting the increased artistic merit and commercial success of "A" movies while noting the decline of lower-budget "B" movies. This section sets the context for the later discussion of the genre’s evolving themes and the influence of societal shifts.
The Rise of Television Westerns: Gunsmoke as a Case Study: This chapter explores the emergence of television Westerns and the phenomenal success of Gunsmoke. The chapter highlights the show's longevity (1955-1975) and its impact in establishing Matt Dillon as a quintessential Western hero. The analysis focuses on how Gunsmoke exemplifies the shift toward more mature and complex Westerns. It utilizes quotes from John Wayne and the Barabas's book, Gunsmoke: A Complete History, to illustrate the show's aim to engage audiences with thoughtful reflection rather than simple amusement. The chapter emphasizes the show’s deliberate move away from simplistic narratives towards deeper exploration of adult themes.
Psychological and Sociological Dimensions of Westerns: This chapter delves into the psychological and sociological dimensions that emerged within Westerns during the 1950s. It introduces the concept of the "Freudian Western," characterized by its focus on the internal conflicts and mental states of characters. The analysis explores how this shift reflected a post-war societal focus on psychological consciousness. The chapter explains how the use of irony and the presence of a "higher order and justice" in Western narratives provided a form of moral stimulation and reassurance to audiences grappling with the complexities of the post-war era.
Thematic Conflicts and Moral Messages in Westerns: This chapter examines the recurring thematic conflicts and moral messages embedded within Westerns. It explains the typical narrative structure centered around the conflict between good and evil, embodied by the hero and the villain. The chapter uses Philip French’s characterization of the Western hero as "the embodiment of God" to illustrate the consistent triumph of good and the underlying moral framework of the genre. It explores the common themes of progress versus freedom, law versus morality, and violence versus Puritan control, showcasing how the genre could effectively convey complex moral messages through entertainment.
Keywords
American Western, cowboy, 1950s, film genre, television, Gunsmoke, psychological Western, moral messages, societal impact, gender roles, mythmaking, pro-Indian narratives, "A" movies, "B" movies.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Westerns in the 1950s
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of a paper analyzing the Western genre in the 1950s. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What topics are covered in the paper?
The paper explores the enduring appeal of Western movies and the cowboy figure, focusing specifically on the 1950s. Key themes include the evolution of the cowboy image, the resurgence of the Western genre in the 1950s, the rise of television Westerns (with Gunsmoke as a case study), the psychological and sociological dimensions of Westerns, and the moral messages and thematic conflicts within the genre.
What are the main objectives of the paper?
The paper aims to analyze the lasting fascination with Westerns, examine how the genre reflected societal changes in the 1950s, and explore its psychological and sociological impact. It investigates the evolving image of the cowboy, the resurgence of Westerns in the 1950s, the influence of television Westerns like Gunsmoke, and the moral and thematic complexities of the genre.
What is covered in each chapter?
The Introduction sets the stage, discussing the enduring popularity of Westerns and the cowboy figure. The chapter on "The Cowboy Figure: Evolution and Glorification" traces the historical transformation of the cowboy's image. "Westerns in the 1950s: A Resurgence" focuses on the genre's revival in the 1950s, including the shift in portrayal of Native Americans and the rise of "deluxe Westerns." "The Rise of Television Westerns: Gunsmoke as a Case Study" examines the impact of Gunsmoke and its mature themes. "Psychological and Sociological Dimensions of Westerns" explores the psychological and sociological aspects of the genre in the 1950s. Finally, "Thematic Conflicts and Moral Messages in Westerns" analyzes recurring themes and moral messages within Westerns.
What are some key keywords associated with this paper?
Key terms include American Western, cowboy, 1950s, film genre, television, Gunsmoke, psychological Western, moral messages, societal impact, gender roles, mythmaking, pro-Indian narratives, "A" movies, and "B" movies.
What specific aspects of Gunsmoke are analyzed?
The analysis of Gunsmoke focuses on its longevity, its impact in establishing Matt Dillon as a quintessential Western hero, and its shift toward more mature and complex Westerns, moving away from simplistic narratives towards deeper exploration of adult themes.
How does the paper address the portrayal of Native Americans?
The paper notes a shift in the portrayal of Native Americans in some 1950s Westerns, with some moving towards pro-Indian narratives and challenging traditional villainous representations.
What is the significance of the 1950s in the context of this study?
The 1950s represents a period of significant resurgence for the Western genre, marked by artistic and commercial developments, and a shift towards more complex storytelling and themes reflecting the post-war social landscape.
What are the key moral and thematic conflicts explored in Westerns according to this paper?
The paper explores common themes of progress versus freedom, law versus morality, and violence versus Puritan control, illustrating how the genre conveyed complex moral messages.
- Quote paper
- Julia Deitermann (Author), 2004, The American Western of the 1950s - An Analysis of Cowboy Culture against the Background of the Era, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/61102
