Film critics have described Unforgiven as an “anti-western western”; that is, the film is a western that shows the falseness of the western genre. Expand upon this idea: in what ways does the film refute conventions of the genre, such as the western hero, and in what ways does it conform to the conventions? What overall messages about westerns does the film send?Explain

Write an essay addressing one of the questions listed below:

1. Compare/contrast one of the following pairs:

▪the townspeople of Hadleyville vs. the townspeople of Big Whiskey

▪one of the major women characters in High Noon (Amy, Mrs. Helen Ramirez) vs. one of

the major women characters in Unforgiven (Strawberry Alice, Delilah)

▪Will Kane vs. “Little” Bill Daggett

2. Who are the antagonists in High Noon and Unforgiven (remember, an antagonist is anything or anyone who conflicts with the protagonist)? What overall messages are the films sending about “civilized” societies (the towns) versus the “wilderness?

3. Robert Ray says that in American culture, there are two kinds of heroes: “official” and “outlaw.” Which one, according to Ray, do we most prefer and why?  Do you agree?  Using Ray’s scheme, how would you categorize Will Kane and William Munny?

4. Film critics have described Unforgiven as an “anti-western western”; that is, the film is a western that shows the falseness of the western genre. Expand upon this idea: in what ways does the film refute conventions of the genre, such as the western hero, and in what ways does it conform to the conventions?  What overall messages about westerns does the film send?

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