JP Matheson Article

Throughout Sue Matheson’s article, "The West-Hardboiled: Adaptations of Film Noir Elements, Existentialism, and Ethics in John Wayne’s Westerns", she constantly talks about the impact John Wayne’s Westerns have had on the American society. The American society had always looked up to the stereotypical hero found within the alpha male cowboy, during times of guidance. As Matheson states, “…Wayne’s characters achieve their full human potential, living what may be considered a hardboiled, existential version of the good life, a life that in its completeness is both admirable and desirable to others.”(900) John Wayne's portrayal of the true American cowboy has inspired so many people to be the best they can be and has given people someone to look up to.

Matheson states that many times a cowboy needs to be on his own without the interference of others. This is specifically seen when she says, “…the process of becoming a man emphasizes the modern preoccupation with individuality. Decision making becomes increasingly a matter for the individual rather than the collective conscience” (904). A cowboy is one who to be successful, needs to learn to succeed and fall all on his own, which in the end is evident to make him stronger. Many times when a cowboy is faced with interacting with others, the other people seem to get in his way, whereas if he were alone he wouldn’t have to worry about their influence.

Everyone has a dream of who they want to be in life. Back in the day, especially in the Western culture, people looked up to the American cowboy. John Wayne does an excellent job depicting a life people wanted to live. Matheson states, “Wayne’s Westerns, generally considered to be reactionary narratives that reinforce the conservative status quo, furnish their audiences with a revised vision of the American West, one that reflects the postwar disillusionment and realists’ characteristic of the twentieth century,” (891). Postwar brought a new way of life, people didn’t necessarily like the idea of change, so of course the image of the American cowboy freed them from their anxiety and helped make peace with reality.