Stories of the American West

Tales of the American West began capturing public interest in the mid-1800s and continued to be a favored genre through the early 1900s. Early Westerns often adhered to a predictable and clichéd formula: the protagonists were legendary figures embodying the American ideals of independence and bravery. The Western world was predominantly male-centric, with women playing minor roles, often depicted as enticing saloon girls or innocent schoolteachers and nurturing farm wives. The settings were often scenic, and the narratives were melodramatic, frequently mixing scenes of violence with moments of humor.

The most beloved stories centered around cowboys, who became prominent in late 19th-century dime novels and in magazines such as Atlantic, Harpers, and Scribner's. Notable writers in this genre included Alfred Henry Lewis, Henry Wallace Phillips, William R. Lighton, Rex Beach, and O. Henry, who set some of his tales in Texas. One of the most renowned Westerns is Zane Grey's Riders of the Purple Sage, published in 1912.

Western stories saw a decline in popularity during the latter half of the 20th century as war heroes and tough detectives began to replace cowboys. In the 1960s, authors started to move beyond traditional themes and techniques, attracting new readers with stories centered on anti-heroes, such as those in Thomas Berger's Little Big Man (1964) and E. L. Doctorow's Welcome to Hard Times (1975), as well as narratives highlighting minority cultures, as seen in the works of N. Scott Momaday, Maxine Hong Kingston, Simon Ortiz, and Leslie Silko.

Discrimination against Homosexuals

Despite Congress criminalizing discrimination based on race, religion, sex, or national origin, as of 2006, it had not extended these protections to homosexuals. However, certain states, such as Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, have implemented laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Sodomy laws, often prescribing a three-month jail term and a fine, remain in effect in many mainly southern states.

In the education sector, discrimination is upheld in states like Oklahoma and West Virginia, where laws require school boards to dismiss homosexual teachers. Students in high schools and colleges across numerous states face challenges in forming gay and lesbian student groups. Homosexuals are often barred from professions involving children.

The government engages in discriminatory practices within the military and in roles requiring top secret security clearances. In 1993, President Clinton attempted to address this issue with the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy. This policy stipulated that military personnel would not be questioned about their sexual orientation. However, harassment and discrimination persist against those in the military who are openly gay or suspected of being so. The military has concluded that homosexuals cannot have successful careers in any of its branches, resulting in the discharge of approximately one hundred servicemen and women each year who have openly identified as gay. Furthermore, homosexuals are often denied security clearances due to the belief that they might be susceptible to blackmail by former partners.

In states that do not acknowledge homosexual rights, landlords and homeowners can legally refuse housing to gay individuals. Although California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, and Vermont did not recognize same-sex unions as of 2006, they did provide beneficiary rights to partners in long-term relationships. Several countries, including Denmark, Sweden, and Canada, recognize same-sex marriage and grant adoption rights to same-sex couples.

In the United States, anti-gay sentiments have contributed to a rise in hate crimes against homosexuals. This issue garnered national attention following the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming.

Setting as Symbol

Annie Proulx masterfully employs setting details in "Brokeback Mountain" to amplify...