In The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance the two alpha male lead cowboys run the town of Shinbone. Matheson points out that, "there really is very little difference between Doniphon and Liberty Valance. Both men settle their problems in the same fashion" (896). From the moment Doniphon saves the life of a well educated lawyer, Stoddard, Doniphon cautions him that "[He] better start packing a hangun...I know those law books mean a lot to you but no out here. Out here a man settles his own problems" (896). However, Stoddard acts in a complete opposite manner than both Doniphon and Liberty Valance. He is apalled by the thought of killing another man and "[expected] the West to be a place where 'civilized' values are respected" (896). Throughout the entire film he is aganist the idea of carrying a gun, but in the end he gets fed up with Liberty Valance's tyrant and takes matters into his own hands. I think that Matheson's analysis of all three characters is right on point. Doniphon does not follow anyone's rules and he is "his own moral center" (896). Valance is a social outcast and cannot socially accept the roles of society.
In The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance the two alpha male cowboys, Tom Doniphon and Liberty Valance, control the town of Shinbone. Matheson points out that, "there really is very little difference between Doniphon and Liberty Valance. Both men settle their problems in the same fashion" (896). Here Matheson is talking about the guns and violence both men use run the town. Liberty Valance is the town outlaw and sociopath. He and his gang ride in and out of town placing fear in many of the townspeople. Tom Doniphon on the other hand is a well respected man in the town and is looked at as one of the few men who can protect the town from Valance's behavior. However, according to Matheson, "Doniphon may wear a white hate...but like Valance, he too exhibits a highly antisocial and disordered personality" (896). From the moment Doniphon saves the life of a well educated lawyer, Stoddard, Doniphon cautions him that "[He] better start packing a hangun...I know those law books mean a lot to you but no out here. Out here a man settles his own problems" (896). Stoddard acts in a complete opposite manner than both Doniphon and Liberty Valance. He is apalled by the thought of killing another man and "[expected] the West to be a place where 'civilized' values are respected" (896). Throughout the entire film he is aganist the idea of carrying a gun, but in the end he gets fed up with Liberty Valance's tyrant and takes matters into his own hands. I think that Matheson's analysis of all three characters is right on point. Doniphon does not follow anyone's rules and he is "his own moral center," (896) performing his duty as an alpha male cowboy in hopes of getting what he wants which in this case was Hallie, the woman he loved. Valance on the other hand, is a social outcast and cannot socially accept the roles of society. Finally, Stoddard is a man who "[talks] about standing up to Valance's bullying, but Doniphon is the only character whose words become deeds" (897). This shows that in this film, only Doniphon is the true alpha male cowboy.
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