The American Western of the 1950s - An Analysis of Cowboy Culture against the Background of the Era

Seminar Paper , 2004 , 12 Pages , Grade: A

American Studies - Culture and Applied Geography

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. [...]

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The American Western of the 1950s
• The Western in the 1950s
• The American Spirit
• The Western and the Frontier
• The Western and the Indian
• The Rise of the Western Movie
• The Rise of the Western on Television
• The Western and the Post-War Situation
• The Western and the Fight Between Good and Evil

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to analyze the fascination inherent in Western movies and examine the figure of the cowboy against the backdrop of the 1950s. It explores how Westerns of this era reflected and shaped societal views, investigating gender roles and the genre's impact on society.

• The evolving image of the cowboy in the 1950s
• The impact of the post-war era on the Western genre
• The rise of "adult" Westerns and their psychological and sociological significance
• The portrayal of gender roles in Western films and television series
• The enduring appeal of the Western genre and its connection to American culture

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The American Western of the 1950s: This chapter introduces the topic of the American Western and its enduring presence in popular culture. It highlights the evolution of the cowboy figure from a historical figure to a symbol of American ideals.
• The Western in the 1950s: This chapter analyzes the Western genre during the 1950s, outlining significant developments such as the emergence of pro-Indian Westerns, the rise of "deluxe" Westerns, and the decline of "B" movies. It also discusses the influence of television and the rise of popular Western TV series.
• The American Spirit: This chapter explores the connection between the Western genre and the American spirit, arguing that Westerns represent core American values such as independence, honesty, and courage.
• The Western and the Frontier: This chapter examines the connection between the Western and the frontier, emphasizing the genre's connection to westward expansion and the confrontation between civilization and wilderness.
• The Western and the Indian: This chapter focuses on the changing portrayal of Native Americans in Westerns during the 1950s, noting the emergence of more sympathetic portrayals and the exploration of historical complexities.
• The Rise of the Western Movie: This chapter traces the development of the Western movie genre, from its early roots in silent films to its popularity in the 1950s. It discusses the impact of classic Western films like "The Great Train Robbery" and the enduring appeal of the genre.
• The Rise of the Western on Television: This chapter explores the rise of Western television shows in the 1950s, particularly focusing on the impact of "Gunsmoke." It analyzes the show's portrayal of complex characters, adult themes, and its contribution to the Western genre's evolution.
• The Western and the Post-War Situation: This chapter examines the influence of the post-war era on the Western genre, exploring how the genre reflected changing social and psychological attitudes. It discusses the emergence of more psychologically complex Westerns and the use of irony to address the challenges of the era.
• The Western and the Fight Between Good and Evil: This chapter analyzes the common narrative structure of Westerns, emphasizing the central conflict between good and evil, represented by the hero and the villain. It explores the symbolic significance of these archetypal figures and their connection to moral values.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This preview encompasses key concepts such as Western movies, cowboy culture, gender roles, American culture, the post-war era, psychological Western, television Westerns, "Gunsmoke," the frontier, Native Americans, and the fight between good and evil.

• College: San Diego State University
• Course: Modern American Literature and Culture
• Grade: A
• Author: Julia Deitermann (Author)
• Publication Year: 2004
• Pages: 12
• Catalog Number: V61102
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638546294
• ISBN (Book): 9783656805854
• Language: English
• Tags: American, Western, Analysis, Cowboy, Culture, Modern, Literature, 1950s, Fünfziger, Fifties, Amerikanischer