Rooster Cogburn

In Rooster Cogburn, we are given a different Alpha Male than the ones we've seen in different John Wayne movies. The main difference seems to be the company this alpha male accompanies himself with. Eula Goodnight is the first odd companion of Rooster. In previous movies, we are shown that women are meant to stay at home. In Red River, Dunson is obviously in love with his woman. But, despite this, he forces her to stay with the wagons, saying that he will send for her later. In The Searchers, the women are meant to stay at home and wait for the men while they go on an adventure. In The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Doniphon builds an addition onto his house for Hallie, where he expects her to stay, as opposed to Stoddard who teachers her to read, expanding her options. In Rooster Cogburn, however, we have Eula accompanying Rooster on his journey. She closer fits the character of Matthew from Red River than any of the previously shown women. She, like Matthew with Dunson, can outshoot Rooster, a show of dominance. Add this to the fact that she seems willing to stand up to Rooster, and gets respect, and she becomes almost an alpha character. Another companion of Roosters, Wolf, is a native american, who Rooster seems to like. This is a big change from "The Searchers", where Ethan is plain racist towards the Native Americans. Even in Red River, the Native Americans are only seen as an obstacle towards the white males. Instead, in Rooster Cogburn, Wolf is treated with some respect. Rooster seems to take him under his wing a little bit, and even is willing to trade the cart of glycerine for his safety. Overall, this willingness to take a female and a native american on the journey shows a new type of alpha male. This alpha male seems to have a much softer spot in his heart. Although he is an alcoholic, and not a great role model in many aspects, he still seems more open to other people.