Red River- VC

In the film Red River, there are two main characters that are cowboys, Dunson and Matthew. However, I think there is only one alpha male cowboy and that is Dunson. He fits the descriptions for the alpha male cowboy made by both Matheson and Tompkins.
In Matheson, she discusses how the alpha male cowboy follows the law of the gun, meaning the make up their own laws and follow through with their gun. This describes Dunson because he was going to kill the men who deserted their cattle drive and stole some food. However, Matthew wouldn't let him kill them. Dunson also says that he wants to kill Matthew and at the end is ready for a draw. However, when he tells Matthew to draw, he won't do it. This shows that Matthew doesn't follow the law of the gun. He never kills anyone in the movie or really use his gun, however Dunson does several times.
In Tompkins, she describes the personality of the alpha male cowboy and their attitude towards women. The alpha male cowboy is a bit of a loner. He lives alone and lives solely for the land and for his duty. At the beginning, Dunson is traveling with one other man until he meets Matthew. Also, throughout the cattle drive, Dunson is driving his men to keep going and refuses to sleep after three men run away so that no other's do. However, these characteristics don't fit Matthew. He takes the other men and leaves Dunson alone. He always sleeps and is no where as tough a leader as Dunson is. Also, the role of women play a part in these two characters. In the beginning, Dunson leaves behind a woman that loves him because he believes that the west is no place for women. Matthew does the same thing later on to the woman who loves him, however in the end he is with her. Dunson is still alone, therefore describing the character of the aplha male cowboy.