After watching the movie, Shane comes out as a western hero to a great extent. He represents the beliefs and ideas that the author of the movie wants to convey to the society. Additionally, Shane is depicted as a character who does not fear anything, and cannot avoid his responsibility even at the point of death. Such qualities are common with heros. His love and treatment for Joe, Marian and Bob also depicts him as a hero, since he is ready to do anything to protect them. Further, Shane guides Bob on how to be a man. His hero character is also seen through the Starlet’s family, in that they all depend on him, and feel secure and stable while with him. He also does not carry a gun, depicting him to be a hero who does not depend on the power that comes from without, but within. Shane appears a man of action, and does not complain in the entire story. Comparing Shane with the character Jimmy Ringo in “The Gunfighter”(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042531/), by Henry King, one appreciates his hero qualities, in that; he is humble, yet very courageous. The author depicts him thus: “ …..he rode into our little valley out of the great glowing west….” (Shaefer 135). He is thus, a western hero. The picture below from Shane’s book also depicts him as a hero.

Figure 1: Cover photo of Shaefer’s book depicts Shane as a western hero.

Even though some people may argue that Shane died in the end, I opine that Shane did not die. Having been a hero, Shane is mythical. In addition, the wound in his arm is not bleeding profusely. He does not behave as if he is in serious pain that could lead to his death. After he was shot, Shane did not react as if in pain, and he was able to ride his horse. Methinks that if he were dead, he would fall off his horse at the end of the movie. Shane’s survival affects our understanding of themes in the film, like the theme of the difficulty of overcoming one’s past. Throughout the film, Shane lives with a struggle to forget his past but he is defeated by his own history. In the end, he appreciates the facts, though with a sense of resignation. The western heroine character is also depicted at the end since his survival portrays him as mythical.

Works Cited

“Shane”. Dir. Stevens, George. Perf. Allan Ladd, Jack Palance, Brandon deWilde, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin. 1953. Film.

Schaefer, Jack, “Shane”. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001. Print.