A setting sun sliding behind a mountain range, the creak of a leather saddle, the jingle of spurs...a tanned, dirt streaked man sits atop his shifting horse. He tilts up the brim of his worn, creased hat and squints, placidly scanning the horizon. An integral part of classic Americana, Westerns can be used by teachers to introduce the westward expansion and perhaps most interestingly, the myth of the American Adam, one of many subjects relating to the myths of the Western genre. Through famous films like High Noon, The Searchers and Fort Apache audiences can capture a spirit and an aesthetic of a golden time we fondly dream of, these films are much more than mindless "shoot-em-ups."

High Noon has a fascinating history as an allegory for the Red Scare of the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was only made because the filmmakers were able to hide their political intentions. As the story opens, an outlaw has just been released from prison and is making his way back to the town he had once terrorized. The rest of his gang await his arrival on the noon train. That same day, the town's marshal, the man who put the outlaw in prison, has retired and married a beautiful woman. They are scheduled to leave town for their new life. When the former marshal learns that the outlaw is coming back to town, the marshal has to decide whether to stay and fight or wash his hands of the town and continue with his plans. Not only can High Noon be used to discuss the activities of the McCarthyites in the 1940s and 50s, but it can be successfully used by ELA classes, as well. Study it as an allegory, and generate discussion on topics like symbol, opposition, and motif. Talk about the myths of the Western genre, including the American Adam and Eve.

The Searchers, a film full of sublime landscapes and John Wayne's iconic interpretation of manliness, can also be used to explore Western myths. Ethan Edwards is a man on a mission to retaliate against a band of Native Americans who killed his brother and took his niece. Along on his mission is his brother's part-Native American foster child, Martin. The Searchers follows their journey, from the revelation that Ethan's niece has married the tribe's chief to Martin's maturity as a man and his challenge to Ethan's leadership. Teachers can use this film to discuss elements of the myths of the Western genre, and can analyze the film for literary devices like character development and expository phase.

Fort Apache is a useful tool to start a discussion about the United States' treatment of Native Americans. An officer, who was demoted following the demobilization after the Civil War, takes over a small U.S. Army base in volatile Native American territory. Hoping that fighting the Apaches might earn a promotion, he heads into battle, unaware of what consequences he and his soldiers will suffer. Fort Apache accurately depicts a number of topics including the military politics and camp life in a post-Civil War Army outpost. Unlike many other Westerns, the Apache characters are written and acted with respect, not mockery. The dishonorable way that the United States government treated the Native Americans is not brushed aside or ignored.

All three of these films can act as a catalyst for discussing the myth of the Western genre and the traditions surrounding the characterizations of men and women in Western films. You can also discuss concepts like the American Dream and the Myth of Male Camaraderie.

Discover more about how to teach with western films in your class at TeachWithMovies.org.

This article was written by James Frieden, co-founder of TeachWithMovies.com, Inc. -- the premiere site on the Internet showing teachers how to create lesson plans using movies and film.

With the help of Teach With Movies, thousands of Teachers and Home School Parents use movies / film in their classes and home schooling programs to teach Social Studies, English, Science, Health, & the Arts.

Visit our site today: teachwithmovies.org

Inspiration is Priceless! Gain access to over 350 Learning Guides and Lesson Plans based on Movies and Feature Films.