The Purple Sage And The Searchers Analysis

Samantha Hoppe – Riders of the Purple Sage and The Searchers Journal Good men of the West inherently follow a code. This code consists of rules of revenge and love. Each man has a duty to uphold, whether that be to his family, his friends, or to the law of the West. In Riders of the Purple Sage, both Venters and Lassiter follow this code. Similarly, in The Searchers, both Ethan and Martin follow this code. However, the men each follow the code in their own ways. When it comes to love, the men are the most passionate about upholding their duty. In this case, it is their duty to seek revenge. In The Searchers, a quote by Lucy’s boyfriend Brad sums up the feeling of all Western heroes when in a position to save their loved one. “There's only one way you can stop me from looking for Lucy, mister, and that's kill me!” In Riders of the Purple Sage, Venters loses his friendship with Jane in order to keep her safe. That took true courage because he broke a friendship that was supposed to last forever. Even Lassiter, the bad gunman, avenges for his love. He clearly states that when saying, “This thing I’m about to do ain’t for

They have a burning feeling within that drives them to act. Usually, this drive is to complete an arduous task, get revenge, reject women, or all of those tasks rolled into one. In The Searchers, Ethan shows his innate behavior to take on a challenge alone by saying, “All of ya. I don't want you with me. I don't need ya for what I got to do.” In addition, acts like these are usually completed on the most moral terms possible. In Riders of the Purple Sage, Lassiter’s thoughts say it well. “He could have shot Dyer in the midst of his religious services at the altar; he could have killed Tull in front of wives and babes.” He got the revenge he was seeking, but he did not succumb to those immoral actions. Instead, he respected the unwritten moral law of the