This book examines the Western hero - a principal image of American manhood since publication of "The Virginian" - as portrayed by a variety of post-World War II novelists and film-makers. This book demonstrates that the Western is not primarily about escape or violence, but, at its best, it is about development. The would-be hero adopts the existing role only to find it is inadequate, and, forced to "reimagine" himself, he defines the Western hero anew. At the core of this process is strength - not power over others, but courage to go beyond the established boundaries. Although women do appear in the Westerns, it is fundamentally a man's world, offering an important view of male identity.
- ISBN10 058516875X
- ISBN13 9780585168753
- Publish Date 13 May 2014 (first published 30 April 1992)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint University of Oklahoma Press
- Edition Revised ed.
- Format eBook
- Pages 187
- Language English