The defining American myth from Columbus on is that of the West: the place of new beginnings, where a person can recreate himself, and of second chances. It is everywhere in our popular culture, particularly in our literature and movies. The movie director John Ford is almost singularly responsible for popularizing the Myth of the West. This course will examine five of his movies and will trace his changes of attitude from 1939 to 1962.
Suggested Reading: Frederick Jackson Turner: The Significance of the Frontier in American History
Joseph McBride: Searching for John Ford
Scott Eyman: Print the Legend: The Life and Times of John Ford
Glenn Frankel: The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend
Dorothy Johnson: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
Maximum Class Size: 110.
