Patriarchal Domination

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the gender roles of women in the films "Red River" and "My Darling Clementine". The paper describes the ways in which the films show some strengths that woman are capable of, but directors Ford and Hawks never really present these women in a serious manner. The paper suggests that the patriarchal domination of the male roles in these films always seem to make laughing stock out of women, as the few women with any kind of power are diminished.

From the Paper:

"Film Studies: Understanding the Patriarchal Domination of Women in the Western Genre In this film study, the role of women within a patriarchal pioneering society is portrayed within the films My Darling Clementine (1946) and Red River (1948). By evaluating the historical background of the old west through cinema, women are often portrayed as submissive to the gun slinging and often more aggressive male roles in these films. By analyzing the way that the women characters are filmed in these westerns, one can realize how misogynistic the overall plot and character construction is presented through their actions and behaviors. In essence, the patriarchal construct of diminishing the power of women is evident within these two films. The role of many westerns in the 1940s reflect the growing family values that America chose to adopt in Hollywood after World War II."

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