The Searchers
The Searchers, filmed in 1956, is considered to be a true masterpiece of American filmmaking. Filled with beautiful images of Monument Valley, its secluded open spaces capture the beauty and the isolating danger of the frontier. This movie tells the emotionally compelling story of not only a revengeful man in search of his kidnapped nieces but also of his inner battle and discovery of his true identity. The main character of this movie, Ethan Edwards, is a person who does not belong anywhere, the outsider, a man doomed to eternally wander in the West. As the story unfolds, the thin line between obsession and revenge become totally indistinct. In the beginning it appears that Ethan's honor drives him to seek revenge for the massacre of his kin, but as time passes his motives for finding his niece completely change when he finds out Debbie has become a squaw and has been tainted by the blood of the Commanches. Ethan is extremely racist, a characteristic that is brought about by his presumed understanding of the difference between Commanche and "white." In Ethan's mind, the Commanche are savage and uncivilized while the white race is undoubtedly superior in all aspects. This confusion concerning
Ethan's racist mindset and his confusion concerning "whiteness" affect his decision-making and daily interactions. Due to certain savage acts that he has committed in his past, he is too savage to claim to be "white," but his behavior in an enclosed homestead is too civilized for him to be considered Commanche. " Ignoring the remark made by Clayton, he continues to ruthlessly shoot them in the back. With disgust, Ethan tells Marty that "[he] could mistake [him] for a half breed. The Commanches are not merely satisfied with the killing of the white folk so they perform heinous acts such as scalping and similar mutilations to the dead corpses because they are savages. However, Ethan slowly peers into her eyes and realizes that she is still his own blood kin. A quick glimpse of the tombstone that Debbie hides next to reveals the source of Ethan's glaring hatred for the Indians: "Here lies Mary Jane Edwards, killed by Commanches, May 12, 1852. Noticing Ethan and remembering his hatred for "her people" she made a feeble attempt to escape down the embankment. He understands that the differences between the white and Commanche are perpetuated by their surroundings and environment. The scene ends with the shocking view of Chief Scar standing menacingly over a frightened Debbie crouched by a family grave, his shadow hovering over her. He sees "whites" as superior, cultural, loving, compassionate, and civilized whereas the Commanche are the exact opposite. " This was evident in a conversation that Ethan exchanged with Marty. Many factors and events in Ethan's history helps to fuel his severe hatred towards the Commanches as it builds his understanding of the significant differences between the two races. As Ethan catches up to her, he grabs her by the shoulders and lifts her up forcefully. His obsessed search for the killer is now partially motivated by racial hatred, but mostly for revenge of the violation of his kin.
Common topics in this essay:
Jane Edwards,
Noticing Ethan,
Ironically Ethan,
Commanches Ethan,
Native Americans,
Buffaloes Commanche,
Ethan Edwards,
Monument Valley,
Uncle Ethan,
Wild West,
racist mindset,
ethan's racist mindset,
ethan acknowledges,
eyes wander,
ethan's racist,
white skin,
seek revenge,
true identity,
blood kin,
confusion concerning whiteness,
civil war,
home civil war,
home civil,
|
Acceptance Essays
