Rooster Cogburn

Rooster Cogburn takes the typical John Wayne western and tweaks it significantly to a point where you feel like you’re watching a whole other genre. Right from the beginning we see a completely different scenario as Judge Parker slams his hammer on Cogburn’s trial. The alpha cowboy is unexpectedly set in this scene where all of a sudden there is a form of law, and he even joins in the law as U.S. Marshall. It’s quite the paradox when the alpha cowboy theoretically has no law and is supposed to carry out his “lone ranger” status. In this movie, however, there is no lone ranger – and his posse consists of the most unusual of characters for a Western too. Just when we were trying to assimilate the new redefined status of John Wayne, we see Rooster employ his mission with the company of a young Indian, and a woman.
Eula Goodnight redefines the role of woman entirely. She isn’t subdued by any man or woman, not even John Wayne. She voices her opinion and speaks her mind, clutching every aspect of her life to religion. When Fort Lucy gets raided by the band of villains, Eula does not stay inside and watch secretly from the window – she jumps out into action and helps the Indians escape. When the fighting starts going down, she does not hide and quiver – she grabs the gun and snipes from afar. The woman is no longer the inferior counterpart to man. In fact, seeing Eula Goodnight ride side by side with none other than John Wayne makes her seem like a cowgirl herself. How’s that for a redefined John Wayne western?