Classic Cowboys Never Die
The Cowboy Western Hero Remains Popular Today
The hero of the classic western, whether in book, movie or television series, stands as a solid symbol of manly strength and wisdom in American culture. This man, who is barely mentioned in history texts, has captured the imagination of millions over the years. While some events in which the cowboy was involved have become greatly exaggerated and romanticized, like the Gunfight at the OK Corral, historical events don’t seem to matter to most people as much as the men of the West themselves, who are always viewed as tall and strong. (Even the "bad guys" have a devoted following.)
Cowboy Qualities
Why this era has so captivated millions of people from all over the world for decades is in some ways a mystery, while in other ways it’s as clear as the nose on the cowboy’s face: these men were fearless, physically and morally strong, and of course, handsome and chivalrous.
The Western hero never showed fear. He stood against all odds as the measly town folk watched on in great trepidation. Always quick clearing leather, this man never failed to make the right choice. This same hero treated women chivalrously, leaving only a hint of what might occur if the two should ever be united in wedlock. This rarely happened, for the cowboy, most often a loner, left more broken hearts than he ever knew.
Physically this man was fit and fast. Indeed, he never knew fear or fat, living off beans and wild game cooked over his campfire along with an incessantly brewing pot of coffee. His gunbelt hung low on his hips, accentuating broad shoulders and tight abs. Never silly or inappropriate, the man could bolt a shot of whiskey without wincing or gagging. His Stetson even looked tailor made, and his pants didn’t hang down to his thighs. A man of few words, the cowboy rode hard, criss-crossing the West, rarely working but somehow always having a small reserve of cash. Think John Wayne or Tom Selleck; Richard Widmark, Robert Mitchum, Gary Cooper. It is only fitting that classic movie stars portray classic heroes.
The Cowboy and Modern Man
Maybe there is just a part of most people that doesn’t want to grow up. Adults of today were raised with such childhood heroes as Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, The Lone Ranger, and many others of this ilk who were role models and inspirations. Who didn’t (and doesn’t) want to ride a horse all day, just loping along and dispatching bad guys? Every child wore little six shooters. No one was arrested for pointing a toy pistol or firing a plastic rifle.
Ultimately, the cowboy is appealing because he is the exact antithesis of what people have become and how they live today, where fear and fat are, for many, the mainstays of culture. The vast majority of people cannot just saddle up and ride off when mortgages and taxes must be paid.
Simply put, people love the cowboy because of the possibilities he suggests for their own lives.
Classic Cowboy Heroes Never Die
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