Anton Chigur: Western Stereotypes

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Recommended: Characteristics of western heroes

Llewellyn acts in accordance with traditional western mythology, he acts righteously, and helps those in need. Instead of being rewarded for acting morally, Llewellyn is hunted down and eventually killed for his kindness. This is one of the first concrete examples of the Coen brothers communicating the problematic nature of being nice and moral, and being practical. Another example of this comes in the form of a character, the brutal assassin Anton Chigur Anton Chigur is the greatest example of the movie’s overall message. He is the antithesis of the traditional western stereotype. Westerns are full of heroes who kill only the evil and only when other options are not available. In westerns, heroes are shown to regret taking life. Anton Chigur has no such objections, he kills those who oppose him, regardless of their overall threat. Even his method of killing is vastly different from western myth. In westerns heroes use revolvers and rifles, weapons that enable them to become heroes (Blender). Anton Chigur favors a cattle gun, a steel tank with compressed air and a nozzle that shoots a steel rod from the nozzle; usually into the …show more content…

Judeo-Christian values are often at odds with both of these concepts, yet all three are idealized in westerns. In fact, mythology often perpetuates idealistic values in culture. According to Frye the point of myth is “to conventionalize content in an idealized direction” (Frye). Somehow, these seemingly opposite ideas are connected through westerns and idealized. Through morally righteous violence one can achieve a greater life, fame, glory, love, and money. The Coen brothers chose western mythology because these ideas oppose one another, they help point out the disconnect between idealized values, like Judeo-Christian values and practical

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