Liberty Valance and Doniphon constantly have arguments throughout the flash-part of the film. For example during the scene when Valance knocks over Doniphons meal, the argument of who is going to pick up the food continues until Stoddard, the waiter that was tripped, picks up the steak and declares "nobody fights my battles." Being the bully of the film, Matheson would probably have argued that he had his death coming for him.
Finally, Stoddard is the sidekick to Doniphon, and is also very easy to relate to, due to his guilty conscious. Hailed as a hero by the city for killing Valance, he feels guilty for being praised for a violent act. In addition, Stoddard was also not the one who killed Valance, and so his guilt come from this matter as well. Matheson would probably argue that due to the fact that Valance was a bully he deserved his death, and due to the fact that the law was based on the gn, there would be no issue with his death.
The basis of the film starts out when the Senator and his wife attend a funeral of a friend, yet people question why he would come out of his way to bury a considered "nobody". John Wayne plays Tom Doniphon would be assessed by Matheson as the typical cowboy, due to the fact that he portrays a strong individual as shown in the scene when Doniphon is showing how to aim at a tin can. He specifically shows Stoddard how to hold the gun and acts almost fatherly due to his powerful personality.
ReplyDeleteLiberty Valance and Doniphon constantly have arguments throughout the flash-part of the film. For example during the scene when Valance knocks over Doniphons meal, the argument of who is going to pick up the food continues until Stoddard, the waiter that was tripped, picks up the steak and declares "nobody fights my battles." Being the bully of the film, Matheson would probably have argued that he had his death coming for him.
Finally, Stoddard is the sidekick to Doniphon, and is also very easy to relate to, due to his guilty conscious. Hailed as a hero by the city for killing Valance, he feels guilty for being praised for a violent act. In addition, Stoddard was also not the one who killed Valance, and so his guilt come from this matter as well. Matheson would probably argue that due to the fact that Valance was a bully he deserved his death, and due to the fact that the law was based on the gun, there would be no issue with his death.
Additionally, the film shows the rule by law. The alpha bases what is right and wrong on his own beliefs, and not written law, or rule of law. When Stoddard is held up by Liberty Valance and his gang, he and Tom Doniphon, a local rancher in the town, make it a point to create peace with or without the written law. This was his own belief, yet due to frustration and true hatred for Valance, he does what he believes is best for the town. Although Stoddard was not the actual killer of Valance, he is made out to be in order to be pronounced as the town hero. The true alpha, is Tom, who believes that the act that he produced is better than what could have been with Valance still alive.