The Ringo Kid (1939)
Ethan Edwards (1956)
William Munny (1992)
Walt Kowalski (2008)
No Country For Old Men (2007): Llewelyn, Bell, and Anton
Stagecoach, The Searchers, Unforgiven, Gran Torino, and No Country for Old Men all depict lone, "cowboy" heroes forging ahead in an inhospitable land: the United States, a land undergoing an ever-changing sense of identity. Some of the aforementioned films are literally westerns; some are westerns in only a thematic and symbolic manner.
Before beginning our college level writing task, we will begin by reading and discussing an essay on the last film we watched, No Country For Old Men, a philosophical, neo-western-noir flick. The essay, entitled "No Country for Old Men: The Coens' Tragic Western," approaches the film as both a western and a tragedy.
We will use this same lens to analyze all of the "westerns" we have watched thus far: they are all tragic; they all convey a sense that this country--this land--is hard on its people.
Your Task: Select 1 character from No Country for Old Men and any 2 characters from the other films listed above. Compose an essay in which you explore the following:
- How does each character and film portray the lone hero/cowboy figure?
- How does each convey a sense of tragedy and the "west?"
- Compare and contrast each character, noting how the characters/films represent a shifting national identity.
Your essay must include multiple specific references to the Richard Gilmore essay, "No Country for Old Men: The Coens' Tragic Western." These references must be cited using MLA formatting.
Your completed essay must be at least 3 pages in length: double-spaced, size 12 Times New Roman.
We will review formatting in class in the weeks to come.
Due Wednesday, May 20th.
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