In Two Mules for Sister Sara, Sara, played by Shirley MacLaine, challenges Hogan, the alpha male, often during the film. When Sara’s mule was hurt Hogan suggested she stay in the village for a week to allow the wound to heal. Instead of waiting she traded her grown mule to in the village for a young smaller mule. She continued on with Hogan despite his suggestion. This is like the women Tompkins describes such as “the Indian woman in The Seachers (1956) who attaches herself to the young male lead.” (Tompkins 8) When Hogan is shot Sara is there to attend to his wound. He guided her through the process of taking the bow out of his body but she completed the action with mighty skill and strong will. He thanks her for her help. She is unlike the “[Indian] woman [who] is treated so abominably by the characters – ridiculed, humiliated.”(Tompkins 8) Sara proves herself equal to the alpha male because of her strong will, and determination. After revealing herself she guided the Mexican army into the French base. She aided in the ambush of the French fort. In the end Hogan and Sara walk off in the landscape happily ever after.
In Johnny Guitar, Vienna, played by Joan Crawford, also challenges an alpha male, Johnny Guitar, played by Sterling Hayden. Vienna is an independent woman living in the West. Vienna stands up to the Dancin’ Kid and his men with the help of Johnny Guitar’s protection. Their relationship is not like the relationship described by Tompkins “not talking to a woman on an equal level can be a way for a man to dominate a relationship.” (Tompkins 59) I think that Vienna plays as much a role as Johnny and sometimes she can even play a bigger role. This is shown throughout the movie because she has the same strong will, and determination as Sara. She demonstrates this when she kills Emma. At the end the two part ways unlike the other film.
In Two Mules for Sister Sara, Sara, played by Shirley MacLaine, challenges Hogan, the alpha male, often during the film. When Sara’s mule was hurt Hogan suggested she stay in the village for a week to allow the wound to heal. Instead of waiting she traded her grown mule to in the village for a young smaller mule. This allowed her to continue on with Hogan despite his suggestion. While with Hogan Sara constantly doesn’t listen to him, and often challenges his authority. This is like the women Tompkins describes “the Indian woman in The Seachers (1956) who attaches herself to the young male lead.” (Tompkins 8) When Hogan is shot Sara is there to attend to his wound. He guided her through the process of taking the bow out of his shoulder and she does it with high skill and strong will. Helping the alpha male is also a revisionist idea in this film. She is unlike the “[Indian] woman [who] is treated so abominably by the characters – ridiculed, humiliated.”(Tompkins 8) Sara proves herself competent to the alpha male because of her strong will, and determination. After revealing herself to be a prostitute true revisionist irony. She guides the Mexican army into the French base, which also helps Hogan collect his money. She and Hogan aided in the ambush of the French fort. In the end Hogan and Sara walk off in the landscape happily ever after. This is not a classical western because too many characteristics of the alpha males are compromised by the “other” characters.
ReplyDeleteIn Johnny Guitar, Vienna, played by Joan Crawford, and Emma propose different challenges to alpha male, Johnny Guitar, played by Sterling Hayden. Vienna is an independent woman living in the West and has the choice of who to Vienna stands up to the Dancin’ Kid and his men with the help of Johnny Guitar’s protection. Their relationship is not like the relationship described by Tompkins “not talking to a woman on an equal level can be a way for a man to dominate a relationship.” (Tompkins 59) I think that Vienna plays as much a role as Johnny, but Johnny is the alpha male. She wouldn’t be able to compete with him because he is the best cowboy in the film. Her character is not similar to the women in the traditional western. This is shown throughout the movie because she has the same strong will, and determination as Sara. She demonstrates this when she kills Emma for trying to get her hanged. Johnny saves her from death, further proving that he is important character.