Westerns & Parody “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky”

Westerns Set in the Western United States during the start of the US Civil War in 1860 to the end of the so- called "Indian Wars" at Wounded Knee in 1890 Hero is often a nomadic cowboy who owns nothing but his spurs, bandanna, and saddle. His “faithful steed” is often a central character He is often out to rescue a damsel in distress

Settings Westerns often stress the harshness of the wilderness and frequently set the action in a desert-like landscape. Specific settings include isolated forts, ranches and homesteads; the Native American village; or the small frontier town with its saloon, general store, livery stable and jailhouse.

Conflict The Western is often about the conflict between a man and the harsh wilderness he lives in Another conflict exists in a typical Western, between the beauty of the wilderness and the expanse of civilization through the railroad, printing press, gold rush etc.

Conflict cont. Cowboys find themselves in conflict with the societies around him, including the law or the Sheriff. They can be in conflict with the bandits and robbers of the town, but often they avoid ethical conflicts like this one, because cowboys are not always law abiding citizens

Popular Westers The Great Train Robbery –A silent film. The first Western film in history

Clint Eastwood Unforgiven The Outlaw Josie Wales

John Wayne The Searchers The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence True Grit

Parody A work of fiction that imitates an already existing work or genre in order to make a point –Provides humor –Lightens a very serious situation –Criticizes –Challenges the audience to think differently about something

Famous Parodies Spaceballs Clue The Brady Bunch Movie SoapDish Strictly Ballroom Robin Hood, Men in Tights Monty Python and the Holy Grail The Daily Show and SNL, parodies news broadcasting Scary Movie series The Chappelle’s Show Weird Al Yanchovic’s music Scream Not Another Teen Movie

Parodies exist in art…