The Day of The Outlaw-MR

The Day of the Outlaw was released in 1959, which was the beggining of a turning point for women in America. Although the Civil Rights and the Equal Pay Act were not passed until the mid sixties, women in America emerged as unhappy with their roles at the time. The film clearly depicts the unjust roles that women had during this time as they were treated as objects by men.

The film presents a number of women that are unfairly treated as objects of pleasure throughout the film. Primarily, when the outlaw gang enters the town, members of the gang want to "borrow" and "use" the women of the town for their pleasure, and promise to return them when they are done. This clearly reflects the historical ignorance of men in society, as men clearly viewed women as being inferior, weak, and unintelligent creatures. The women of the town were forced to dance with the gang, even as the majority of the gang members clearly violated the womens bodies. They were at the mercy of the powerful men that did what they pleased and were carless of the womens' rights.

However, one member of the gang represents the desired traits of a real man. Gene, the youngest member of the gang. Is a caring, sensitive man that recognizes the wishes of women. Although a participant in the dance, he makes it clear that Ernine does not have to dance with him if she does not want to. Treating Ernine with respect make her care for him, causing him to turn around from the gangs activities. Ernine's desire to have a man like Gene shows the desired changes that women to see in mens' view of them in society.