Write a 2-3 page double spaced typed essay on ONE of the following topics. OPTION #1 Analyze the nature of the town (Hadleyville) or “civilization” in HIGH NOON. How do the writer & director’s views of “civilization” determine their response to the evolution of American society and its values in 1952? To quote Wyatt, “What kind of town is this?” OR OPTION #2: Gary Cooper was the producer’s first choice to play Ringo in STAGECOACH. Here we see Cooper 16 years later as a lawman not an outlaw. Ringo, however, like Will Kane, rids the town of Lordsburg of the bad men & like Will leaves town after his violent act. Despite, these similarities, there are substantial differences between the two which also point to a shift in the view of the western “hero.” What do the differences tell us about the themes of the two films? (Concentrate on HIGH NOON.) Remember ANALYZE don’t SUMMARIZE. State an interesting & compelling thesis that you can argue & support. Use specific examples from the film (scenes, mis en scene, dialogue) to support your thesis.
TO BE RE-WRITTEN FROM THE SCRATCH
Civilization in “High Noon”
In “High Noon”, Hadleyville is set up as a seat of civilization, representing many important values of the civilizing process as forwarded by Frederick Jackson Turner who lays out a progress model based on community morality along the frontier. The town’s borders are a motif for the borders between the civilized and the uncivilized. As an outlaw group travels through the town towards the train station, the difference between the townspeople and the outsiders, the civilized and the uncivilized, is stark.
Many civilizing processes represented by the town are depicted in Kane’s wedding that happens while the uncivilized outlaws are at the train station just outside the town; seemingly shunted out and unwelcome from the ongoing civilizing process. The marriage itself is a civilized union between man and woman, a move forward from Turner’s primitive stage of individualistic, rugged masculinity to family orientation.
The wedding also depicts non-violence as a civilizing process. The hitherto violent hero and his bride mingle with an approving community. Peace and concomitant happiness are accentuated by the soft lighting and filters employed in the scene. Non-violence as a civilizing process is further depicted by Will hanging up his badge and gun. His concern about this is seemingly not that there will be violence in the town but rather the social graces of civilization as presented in his comment, “I kind of hate to do this without your new marshal here”[1].
The marshal and the mayor depict enforcement of law and order, an important tenet of civilization depicted in “High Noon”. Even when Frank Will, an outcast who wreaked havoc on the town, is pardoned, the mayor’s sentiments that the town’s boundaries will keep out subversive elements shows a trust in the civilizing process of Turner’s constitutional law. Further, the wedding’s selectmen comfortably voice their confidence to instill law and order by curbing any difficulties the town might experience.
The wedding also shows community harmony as a civilizing process. There is a unity among the townspeople who have come to the wedding, albeit that the unity is tempered by the fact that they do not mix with outsiders (the uncivilized). Smiles and laughter of the supportive townspeople is accentuated through the use of lighting. The close framing of the comfortable wedding guests not only depicts physical closeness, but emotional closeness as well.
Challenging the civilization
The civilization values presented by Hadleyville are however called into question. Marriage is the first civilization ideal to face opposition, with Will becoming taciturn albeit their wedding vows, with the marriage becoming leverage for the warring couple. Eventually, Will and Amy walk away from the other in a hotel scene; a triumph of personal morality over civilization as envisioned by Turner.
Will’s morality to return to the town to fight Frank Miller and the outlaws is a paradox as he resigned as the town’s marshal. By returning, he fails to abide by the law and order governing the town’s civilization. It depicts civilization’s laws as instilling a false sense of security among the townspeople if the new marshal and other lawmen are unable to protect it, a situation that was also manifested earlier when the lawmen Will and Harvey were out of order in fighting physically and also when the town did not have a marshal after the wedding. The degeneration of law and order in the town is further depicted by Judge Mettrick packing away the emblems of the law: the American flag, scales and law books. Hence, the threat posed
[1] Here, Will is turning in his badge in the “one more ceremony” as articulated by the selectmen. It represents both social graces and non-violence, some major tenets of frontier civilization presented in “High Noon”……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… civilization” in HIGH NOON ………..
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