Johnny Guitar: Women in the Dominant Western Role

Johnny Guitar: Women in the Dominant Western Role

Emma and Vienna play lead roles that would traditionally be played by men: each sharing characteristics of heroes and villains. Typical westerns from this time period feature a male protagonist who displays courage against a sinister male antagonist, but Emma and Vienna fill these parts. Both are strong characters that lead their respective groups. Each of them convinces their respective groups that the other is evil, and their contempt for each other is made clear during the opening scene. Despite Emma and Vienna's opinions of each other, an unbiased bystander's view shows both of them exhibit behavior that could classify themselves as villainous as well as heroic.

From the start of the film, Vienna dresses and acts the part of a western criminal. She appears at the top of the stairs in the opening scene, looking down on her accusers. This projects her as a powerful figure, and she uses this, her quick wit and outright threats of violence to back down an angry mob of townspeople looking to hang someone. This is the same type of intimidation other western villains use to control the average person. Her appearance also speaks volumes to her mysterious bad side. When the disturbed locals burst in the door, led by Emma, Vienna is dressed in a black shirt and pants and she grabs her gun belt to before she confronts them. This is the same type of outfit that was worn by the hired gun, Jack Wilson, in Shane. Not only does she wear all black, but it's also the uniform for the rest of her employees. They're also armed which is not a surprise considering the type of establishment Vienna runs. Her business is a gambling hall, which attracts less favorable characters such as the Dancing Kid and his gang. These acquaintances make Vienna more of a criminal character just by association. The rest of the town sees what type of business and clientele it draws in and assume Vienna is just as guilty as the other degenerates. Most people would tend to think this the way she commands respect amongst her employees and Dancing Kid's crew. She doesn't take no for an answer, and stands up to anyone who crosses her. Her attitude may be the most intimidating aspect of all. She keeps her piercing eyes wide open the whole time while her lips keep a scowl that only disappears when she barks out brief statements. Vienna admits to committing horrible acts to get to where she is now. She adopts a, "by any means necessary" attitude which solidifies her bad guy persona.

Despite all of Vienna's villainous characteristics, she also displays many qualities of western hero. She is not a longwinded character to say the least. When confronted by Emma and the McIvers she uses short witty answers to back them down. Her short responses contain a lot of insight, and when she speaks to Johnny Guitar the dialogue is unlike any other because they joust back and forth with concise rebuttals that have a very deep significance. The more time she spends with Johnny Guitar, the more she reveals her true virtues. She is ashamed of what she had to do to become the woman she is when Johnny Guitar shows up. This is true of a lot of western heroes. Most of them have a shady past that they wish to take back, but when they can't they do as much as they can to become a better person by choosing the high ground. Vienna is faced with this choice throughout the movie. Dancing Kid and his men are robbing the bank she is asked to come with them and flee with all of the town's money, but she tells them she can't. She resists the urge to be a criminal out for the easy money, even with her impending doom. Earlier in her life she may have gone along with them, but she chooses the high road despite knowing she will be blamed by Emma for assisting the gang in a robbery she had nothing to do with. Even after the bank heist Johnny Guitar suggests she skip town with him or stay and let him pick off the