No Country for Any Men: The Tragic Westerns of the 20th century

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.

Nationalism, the American Western, and a Changing Sense of American Identity

John Ford's 1939 film, Stagecoach, is considered the breakout film of John Wayne. The film also inspired young Orson Welles's cinematic masterpiece, Citizen Kane. According to Welles himself, he watched Stagecoach over 40 times while developing Kane. 

Watch the film in its entirety here:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/249577

Here are some essays on the film and its importance:

• Tim Dirk's Analysis of Stagecoach: http://www.filmsite.org/stagec.html

• "What's the Big Deal?: Stagecoach":http://www.film.com/movies/whats-the-big-deal-stagecoach-1939

• Stagecoach: Taking the Stage: http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/1472-stagecoach-taking-the-stage

Relevant quotes from the film regarding American identity (Remember: this film was made in 1939... the country was still reeling from the effects of the Great Depression and WWII was looming.)

Henry Gatewood - a greedy banker

• "What's good for the banks is good for the country."
• "Instead of protecting businessmen, it [the government] pokes its nose into business."
• "What this country needs is a businessman for a president."

Dr. Josiah Boone - a drunk with a good heart

• "We are the victims of a foul disease called social prejudice..."
• "I'm not only a philosopher, sir, I'm a fatalist. Somewhere, sometime, there may be the right bullet or the wrong bottle waiting for Josiah Boone. Why worry when or where?"

Ringo - a wronged kid looking for vengeance 

• "Well, I guess you can't break out of prison and into society in the same week."
• "There are some things that a man just can't run away from."

All of this will culminate in a writing task inspired by an actual college level writing prompt. You will explore how westerns portray the following themes:

• Masculinity (the lone cowboy)
• Nationalism
• Multiculturalism
• Transnationalism

As the week continues, we will watch additional westerns and trace how these themes are portrayed differently.

For now, pick one of the quotes listed above and reflect on its relevancy to America and the American identity.

Your response is due by Thursday, 4/30. Late responses simply won't count.