The movie Rooster Cogburn, takes a modern spin on the traditional Western. This is seen by the mere fact that there are two protagonists rather than one, Rooster Cogburn and Eula Goodnight (sister). Unlike previous films, Rooster Cogburn introduces a woman who can compete with the men; no longer is the alpha cowboy left solely to the male.
Sister, who is not easily frightened by danger or commotion, is introduced by standing her ground to Hawk, the rebel outlaw. She doesn’t even flinch when he begins shooting at her feet in attempts of scaring her. Throughout the movie, sister also shows her alpha male characteristics by being able to out shoot Rooster Cogburn who readily admits her good aim as well as asserting her dominance over the men. She is able to hold her ground with anyone she encounters and they soon realize that they will lose all arguments. This is one example of how the modern cowboy is changing. We presume that Rooster Cogburn is the alpha male cowboy in this film, however, he is capable of admitting his feelings and desires, in addition to the inability to question or argue with sister.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
We are beginning to look at the "other" against the white alpha male cowboy. This film is a good place to begin. In terms of gender, what is different about this film from the others we've seen?
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the alpha male cowboy, what is different? Explain your responses.
The film Rooster Cogburn, takes a modern spin on the traditional Western genre. No longer is there one alpha cowboy, fulfilled by a white male, but the “other” rises up to take her position as the alpha cowboy. In this movie, a woman known as Eula Goodnight or “Sister,” challenges Rooster Cogburn for the role as the alpha cowboy.
Sister, who is not easily frightened by danger or commotion, is introduced by standing up to Hawk, the rebel outlaw. She doesn’t even flinch when he begins shooting at her feet in an attempt to scare her. Throughout the movie, Sister also shows her alpha male characteristics by being able to out shoot Cogburn. He readily admits her good aim when she saves his life from the outlaws. Throughout the film she continually asserts her dominance over the men who surround her. As the modern cowboy begins to change, its characteristics begin to transform, allowing women to outshine the original alpha male.
In the beginning of the film we presume that Cogburn is the alpha male cowboy; however, he is capable of admitting his feelings and desires, in addition to the inability to question or argue with Sister. As the film progresses he finds himself no longer protecting Sister, but rather falling deeply in love with her. Cogburn shows his weakness and departure from the alpha male cowboy as he invokes Sister in conversation about her past and her future; straying away from the typical alpha male who rides alone with the land and his horse and does not participate in any sort of relationships.