Tompkins makes very clear points about the meanings and interpretations of the landscapes of Westerns. She says on page 71 that "the landscape challenges the body to endure hardship- that is its fundamental message at the physical level." But Tompkins also brings up the emotional or spiritual level. When Martin, Ethan, and Brad first started their search for Debbie they all had the same face of determination. Nonetheless, Ethan was the only one that truly knew "the spiritual message" of the desert was "come, and suffer." (71) Ethan knew that the likely hood of finding Debbie alive was slim and tried to make this apparent to the boys by telling that the chances are very slim. The boys reacted as any sane person would and told him not to think in that way. Martin and Brad didn't realize the emotional torture that would take place. Brad's emotions took control of him and cost him is life.
Tompkins makes another point that the hero "can take care of himself." (81) I think that Ethan demonstrates this point to the fullest. In the movie Ethan nevered showed an ounce of dependence on someone other than himself. He returned home three years after the war ended. This symbolized his independence. He had full confidence in himself that he was the only person needed to bring Debbie home. On page 84, Tompkins says "Westerns give small rein to the body's needs for food, sleep, shelter, sex, and overall comfort." This is the quote that stuck out to me the most in relation to the movie. I never heard nor saw Ethan or Martin complain of hunger or thrist. When I put myself in their shoes, the questions about food, sleep and shelter were some of the first ones that entered my mind. I think that these "necessities" were put on the back burner becuase in The Searchers the desire to find Debbie overtook both Ethan and Martime to the point that they never thought about anything besides Debbie.
The only point that I have to disagree with that Tompkins makes is that "...the Western naturalizes a certain racial, gender, and ethnic type as a her." (73) As we all know the typical Western hero is a white male. However, in The Searchers I would argue that Martin was as much of a hero as Ethan was. Ethan was the one who physically brough Debbie home but Martin was willing to risk his life to get Debbie out of Scar's camp by going in alone. Martin put his family above his own needs, referring to leaving Laurie at home waiting. I fing this to be an admirable quality.
Tompkins makes very clear points about the meanings and interpretations of the land and landscape of Westerns. She says on page 71 that “the landscape challenges the body to endure hardship- that is it’s the fundamental message at the physical level.” We all know that in Westerns the desert is always the setting where the journey takes place.
ReplyDeleteWhen Martin, Ethan, and Brad first start their search for Laurie and Debbie they all have the same face of determination. Nonetheless, Ethan is the only one that truly knows “the spiritual message” of the desert is “come, and suffer.” (71) Ethan knows that the likely hood of finding the girls is very unlikely. He makes several comments about the high chance of never finding Laurie and Debbie alive. I don’t believe Martin or Brad knew the emotional toll this journey would take on them. This journey cost Brad his life.
Tompkins makes another point that the hero “can take care of himself.” (81) I think that Ethan demonstrates this point to the fullest. In the movie Ethan never shows an ounce of dependence on someone other than himself. He comes home three years after the war ends. This symbolizes his independence. He has full confidence in himself going on his journey to find Debbie and get revenge alone. He knows how to handle the weather conditions and how to speak a Native American language. He only needs a few things to get by. On page 84 Tompkins says “Westerns give small rein to the body’s need for food, sleep, shelter, sex, and overall comfort.”This quote sticks out to me the most in relation to the movie. I never once see nor hear Ethan or Martin complain of hunger or thirst. When I pictured myself venturing into the desert, my first thoughts are what would I eat, where would I sleep, and how would I get water. I think that these “necessities” become diminished in The Searchers because the desire and importance of finding Debbie takes precedence over everything else.
The only point that I have to disagree with that Tompkins makes is that “..the Western naturalizes a certain racial, gender, and ethnic type as a hero.” (73) As we all know the typical Western hero is a white male. However, in The Searchers, I would argue that Ethan and Martin are both heroes. Granted that Ethan is the white male that technically brings Debbie home, but Martin is the one willing to risk his life by going into Scar’s teepee and getting Debbie himself. Martin is not a white male. He is part Native American, making him not fit the Western’s mold of the hero.