Inequality In Film

Tensions between Americans and Native-American’s existed along territorial invisible borders that comprised the railroad towns and the open-range. Native-American society existed 12,000 years on Turtle Island (their name for America) before English colonizers explored and conquered their land. Over time, the Wyoming Native-Americans become 13 separate tribes and in 1880, their population had approximately 12,000 citizens (CITE; CITE). Still, the only representation of Native-Americans is via Sally Two Trees who does not even have a line in the film. This appears to represent the way in which, historically, the voice of the Native-American is left out of the dominant discourse in American narratives. This scene also depicts her as a marginalized

However, this film is not set in reality and the equality for women remains an issue even until this day. The subjugation of these women under the tyrannical control of men in power demanded their protest. Moreover, the first instance regarding gender inequality happens early in the film during the scene, Quick Mike Retaliates Against Delilah, in which Mike tells Davey Bunting to “Come a-running, lad!” Afterward, Davey immediately reinforces Mike without thought, which serves to reinforce the violent patriarchal status quo, which serves to devalue women’s suffrage in society. Mike’s rhetoric initiates the violent behavior when he says “I’ll brand you like a… steer...”, followed by the visual of Delilah trying to defend herself by throwing a liquid at Mike while he holds a knife to her and then Davey obediently holds Delilah down so Mike can brand her with the knife, actions which seem to serve to seal their fates. Moreover, there is a reinforcement of the idea that past actions affect the future. Skinny Dubois stops Mike and his reasoning behind this action is because he views her as property and does not want further harm done to “damaged goods.” This is an action which seems to serve his