Some Fundamental Oppositions in Westerns

by Chris H. Lewis, Ph.D.

(Tompkins argues that there are a set of fundamental oppositions that Westerns examine. "But Westerns are just as compulsively driven to destroying these opposites and making them contain each other." (p. 48)
I have listed some of the major oppositions that Westerns explore.

1. Male vs. Female
2. Masculine vs. Feminine
3. Man vs. Woman
4. Manly Honor vs. Feminine Duty
5. Strength vs. Emotion
6. Material Things vs. Emotions
7. Truth vs. Illusion
8. Great Outdoors vs. Home
9. Silence vs. Chatter
10. Self-discipline vs. Emotion
11. Wilderness vs. Civilization
12. Savagery vs. Civilized World
13. Whites vs. Indians
14. Materialism vs. Spirituality
15. Natural World vs. Christian World
16. Secular vs. Sacred
17. Strength vs. Weakness
18. Courage vs. Fear
19. Bravado vs. Emotion
20. Action vs. Talk
21. Deeds vs. Words
22. Things vs. Words
23. Violence vs. Civilized Order
24. Moral Order vs. Lawlessness
25. Country vs. City
26. West vs. East
27. Freedom vs. Conformity
28. Lone Individual vs. Community
29. Independence vs. Dependence
30. Anarchy vs. Law and Order
31. Animal vs. Spiritual
32. Violence vs. Cooperation
33. Body vs. Mind
34. Nature vs. Culture
35. Wildlands vs. Town

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© 2000 by Chris H.  Lewis, Ph.D.
Sewall Academic Program; University of Colorado at Boulder
Created 1 June 2000:  Last Modified: 16 February, 2007
E-mail: cclewis@spot.colorado.edu
URL:    http://www.colorado.edu/AmStudies/lewis/west/fundoppo.htm