The typical Western film shows the alpha male character as the most significant role within the film while "the others" usually play small roles that have little power. However, in the 1970s film Rooster Cogburn, "the others" started taking on larger and more important role within the film. As usual, the alpha male cowboy, Rooster Cogburn, maintains his dominant role. However, the movie shows that a woman, Eula Goodnight, and a Native American, Wolf, are the "other" characters that challenge Rooster Cogburn's dominance.
A 1975 film, Rooster Cogburn is definitely a movie that was influenced by the women's rights movement. Individuals can witness that the change in women's role in society during the time of the 1970s show a correlation within the gradual change of "the others" in the Western films released during that time period. While women gained more equality/rights, so did the "others" with more dominant roles in the films.
Unlike the previous films viewed that took place from the 1930s to 1950s, Rooster Cogburn portrays Eula Goodnight as a woman who is nearly as worthy as an alpha male cowboy. A religious woman, Eula Goodnight is never afraid to speak out her mind to the public and even gets in a fight with a group of thieves. She is courageous in that she never runs away from a gunfight, and instead prays. Eula further joins a gun fight and doesn't hesitate shooting one of them for even one second. Rooster Cogburn realizes her act of bravery and power, and even states that she has "more backbone than feminism", which gives the viewers an idea of how different Eula is compared to the other typical Western females. Eula doesn't need a male companion in order to survive in the West because she is as strong as the alpha male. Unlike an alpha male, Rooster Cogburn tells Eula that it is pleasing for him to be around her, which is a sign of expressing his feelings. Eula Goodnight is definitely a femal character that shows a role of dominance within the film.
Apart from Eula Goodnight, there is another character that has importance within the film. Wolf, the Native American boy, is the other character that plays a significant role in Rooster Cogburn. Viewers of the film can see that there is a close relationship/companionship between Rooster Cogburn and Wolf because Wolf wants to become like the alpha male, and Cogburn guides him through the path of becoming a Marshall. Throughout the movie, Wolf helps Cogburn numerous times. He is a key character in helping Cogburn and Eula survive throughout their journey. Wolf helps them gain extra time in running away, spooks the horses, and also remained as a look out for the other characters many times. Cogburn relies heavily on Wolf with significant roles that gives them the advantage in surviving, which eventually shows that Cogburn trusts Wolf.
The typical Western film shows the alpha male character as the most significant role within the film while "the others" play small roles that have little power. However, in the 1970s film Rooster Cogburn, "the others" started taking on larger and more important roles within the film. As usual, the alpha male cowboy, Rooster Cogburn, maintains his dominant role. However, the movie shows that a woman, Eula Goodnight, and a Native American, Wolf, are the "other" characters that challenge Rooster Cogburn's dominance.
ReplyDeleteA 1975 film, Rooster Cogburn is definitely a movie that was influenced by the women's rights movement. Individuals can witness that the change in women's role in society during the time of the 1970s show a correlation within the gradual change of "the others" in the Western films released during that time period. While women gained more equality/rights, so did the "others" with more dominant roles in the films.
Unlike the previous films viewed that took place from the 1930s to 1950s, Rooster Cogburn portrays Eula Goodnight as a woman who is nearly as worthy as an alpha male cowboy. A religious woman, Eula Goodnight is never afraid to speak out her mind to the public and even gets in a fight with a group of thieves. She is courageous in that she never runs away from a gunfight, and instead prays. Eula further joins a gun fight and doesn't hesitate shooting one of them for even one second. Rooster Cogburn realizes her act of bravery and power, and even states that she has "more backbone than feminism", which gives the viewers an idea of how different Eula is compared to the other typical Western females. Eula doesn't need a male companion in order to survive in the West because she is as strong as the alpha male. Unlike an alpha male, Rooster Cogburn tells Eula that it is pleasing for him to be around her, which is a sign of expressing his feelings. Eula Goodnight is definitely a female character that shows a role of dominance within the film.
Apart from Eula Goodnight, there is another character that has importance within the film. Wolf, the Native American boy, is the other character that plays a significant role in Rooster Cogburn. Viewers of the film can see that there is a close relationship/companionship between Rooster Cogburn and Wolf because Wolf wants to become like the alpha male, and Cogburn guides him through the path of becoming a Marshall. Throughout the movie, Wolf helps Cogburn numerous times. He is a key character in helping Cogburn and Eula survive throughout their journey. Wolf helps them gain extra time in running away, spooks the horses, and also remained as a look out for the other characters many times. Cogburn relies heavily on Wolf with significant roles that give them the advantage in surviving, which eventually shows that Cogburn trusts Wolf.