In the film Red River, the characters Tom Dunson and Matthew Garth hold many of the characteristics of the alpha male cowboy. Although, when comparing them to Tompkins and Matheson’s standards, neither one of these characters hold the title of the alpha male cowboy at the end of the film.
In the beginning, Tom Dunson is initially revealed to the audience as the alpha male cowboy by displaying all the tough and stern characteristics. He shows no fear of his enemies, or of death. He leaves the love of his life to follow his dream of building his own cattle farm. His determination leads him to kill men who get in his way without feeling any remorse or guilt for what he’s done. Matheson would argue that this characteristic shows that Dunson is an alpha male cowboy for he “settles his own problems” (Matheson 897). He sees his dream of his as his duty, and this duty is also another point that Matheson points out that is a key motive in the alpha male that drives him to action, no matter how dark the actions take him. Dunson fits Matheson’s model of the alpha male because he is “Damaged and isolated paternal figure who gathers in one place the allure of violence, the call away from home, and the dark pleasure of soured romanticism” (Matheson 889). Only, Dunson does not hold these qualities throughout the whole film, and the audience witnesses his loose grip on the title as he becomes washed out and ultimately loses the respect of him men. As Dunson fall down from his title of the alpha male, his adopted son Matthew Garth steps up to take the reigns of his father’s legacy.
Matthew Garth asserts his power throughout the film by his gun and by questioning the power of Dunson. Although it could be said that Matt takes over the title of his father as the alpha male, it also could be argued that he does not because he does not fully acquire the stern heart and qualities of the alpha male. Matt is seen as soft throughout the film and as a lesser man than Dunson (Matt continually is called by his first name, whereas his father is called by his last). Tompkins writes, “For a man to speak of his inner feelings not only admits parity with the person he is talking to, but it jeopardizes his status as a potent being” (Topkins 60). Matt jeopardizes his title of alpha male when he expresses his feelings to Tess and tells her his life story, which shows weakness and femininity. Although Matt takes Dunson’s role on the ranch, he does not ever fully become the alpha male for he does not hold all the characteristics of one.
In the beginning, Tom Dunson filled the shoes of the alpha male but gradually lost the respect of his men that lead to the loss of his title of alpha male. Although Garth was there to step in, he does not truly become the alpha male when measuring up to Tompkins and Matheson’s view. Thus, in the end of the film there are no alpha male cowboys.
In the film Red River, the characters Tom Dunson and Matthew Garth hold many of the characteristics of the alpha male cowboy. Although, when comparing them to Tompkins and Matheson’s standards, neither one of these characters hold the title of the alpha male cowboy at the end of the film.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, Tom Dunson is initially revealed to the audience as the alpha male cowboy by displaying all the tough and stern characteristics. He shows no fear of his enemies, or of death. He leaves the love of his life to follow his dream of building his own cattle farm. His determination leads him to kill men who get in his way without feeling any remorse or guilt for what he’s done. Matheson would argue that this characteristic shows that Dunson is an alpha male cowboy for he “settles his own problems” (Matheson 897). He sees his dream of his as his duty, and this duty is also another point that Matheson points out that is a key motive in the alpha male that drives him to action, no matter how dark the actions take him. Dunson fits Matheson’s model of the alpha male because he is “Damaged and isolated paternal figure who gathers in one place the allure of violence, the call away from home, and the dark pleasure of soured romanticism” (Matheson 889). Only, Dunson does not hold these qualities throughout the whole film, and the audience witnesses his loose grip on the title as he becomes washed out and ultimately loses the respect of him men. As Dunson fall down from his title of the alpha male, his adopted son Matthew Garth steps up to take the reigns of his father’s legacy.
Matthew Garth asserts his power throughout the film by his gun and by questioning the power of Dunson. Although it could be said that Matt takes over the title of his father as the alpha male, it also could be argued that he does not because he does not fully acquire the stern heart and qualities of the alpha male. Matt is seen as soft throughout the film and as a lesser man than Dunson (Matt continually is called by his first name, whereas his father is called by his last). Tompkins writes, “For a man to speak of his inner feelings not only admits parity with the person he is talking to, but it jeopardizes his status as a potent being” (Topkins 60). Matt jeopardizes his title of alpha male when he expresses his feelings to Tess and tells her his life story, which shows weakness and femininity. Although Matt takes Dunson’s role on the ranch, he does not ever fully become the alpha male for he does not hold all the characteristics of one.
In the beginning, Tom Dunson filled the shoes of the alpha male but gradually lost the respect of his men that lead to the loss of his title of alpha male. Although Garth was there to step in, he does not truly become the alpha male when measuring up to Tompkins and Matheson’s view. Thus, in the end of the film there are no alpha male cowboys.