red river

In The Movie Red River, there are two alpha male cowboys, Tom Dunson (played by John Wayne) and Matthew Garth (played by Montgomery Clift). Matthew Garth is Tom Dunson’s adopted son. Although related, and both alpha male cowboys, they are very different, with the biggest difference being their sense of judgment and their moral compass. It is clear that Tom Dunson is a true alpha male cowboy, as Matheson would argue, as he is “the fittest and the strongest” (Matheson 891). However, it is not as clear that Matthew Garth is an alpha male cowboy, as he is reliant on others, through him expressing himself. Jane Tompkins argues that if someone expresses themselves, then they are not independent, and therefore not an alpha male cowboy. He is constantly criticized throughout the movie for being too “soft”. Sue Matheson would not label Garth as an alpha male cowboy as he dependant on other and is soft, therefore not hardboiled as the alpha male cowboy should be.