The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Ashley Rossi

Matheson would assess lawyer Rance Stoddard and the two alpha male cowboys, Tom Doniphon and Liberty Valance, in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance on three basic levels social behavior, masculinity, and moral code (perception of the law). Form a societal perspective; the two alpha male cowboys display antisocial tendencies. The most obvious exhibition of antisocial behavior is seen in Liberty Valance’s personality. He is shown in the movie with only two sidekicks, few companions and no desire for compassion or citizenship. The viewer first hears of Valance in Stoddard’s tale of his first trip to Shinbone and how he was barbarically robbed. Matheson considers Valance as a “severely disabled psychopath”. Although Tom Doniphon exhibits similar antisocial behavior, his initial desire to marry Hallie in the future shows a softer emotion that could potentially breed more kind relationships. However; in the films end, with Doniphon’s burning of the house that he was building for Hallie, Matheson concludes the alpha male cowboy is “manipulative, callous, remorseless, parasitic” and exhibits “poor behavioral controls”.  Stoddard, on the other hand, is very social. He begins a school to educate the people of Shinborne and works in a restaurant. He openly shows affection for Hallie and encourages her to learn how to read. Stoddard’s social behavior connects slightly with Matheson’s analysis on masculinity. Although he does not possess the ruggedness of Valance or Doniphon, he is more of a man than Valance will ever be. In her conclusions she determines that Stoddard and Doniphon are “men” where as Valance is not a “man”. Some viewers may consider Valance more of a man than Stoddard simply because Valance is more prone to violence, unlike Stoddard, who is gentler. Stoddard is often seen in an apron and is a lousy shot. However, according to Matheson’s assessment, “men are men because their behavior is fundamentally ethical”. Both Stoddard and Doniphon’s behaviors are fundamentally ethical; even if Stoddard does wear an apron to a shoot out, he is still a "man". They look out for the “highest good” whereas Valance is looking out for himself with complete disregard for all of those around him. Stoddard is elected to help the people of Shinebone reach statehood and stand up against Valance. Doniphon puts his wants aside for the wants of Hallie and the needs of the citizens of Shinbone. When masculinity is related to settling various problems, it brings into discussion the differences between the alpha male cowboys' and the lawyer's moral code. The lawyer relies on books, law and justice where as Valance and Doniphan believe “might is right”. Doniphon says verbatim to Stoddard that, “You'd better start packing a handgun. ... I know those law books mean a lot to you but not out here.” Those in the West, according to Matheson must understand that “[a man] is his own moral center”. This idea is a struggle for Stoddard to understand considering his East Coast upbringing and value on obeying the law. Although there are sharp differences between the cowboys and the lawyers in Matheson’s analysis when it comes to the law and social behavior, the argument of masculinity is more ambiguous. Might and sheer muscle does not determine a man, the fundamental ethics do instead. I agree with Matheson’s arguments and can see the slight similarities between Stoddard and Doniphon despite their contrasting views. In addition, I can also see her stronger connections between Valance and Doniphon.