Gunsmoke and the Old-West Lawman :: Television Media TV Essays

Gunsmoke and the Old-West Lawman The classic radio show "Gunsmoke," was the epitome of old west drama. Set in the frontier town of Dodge City during the 1870's and 80's, Gunsmoke followed U.S. Marshall Matt Dillon through his many adventures. Matt Dillon was the embodiment of the stereotypical lawman of the old west. He is set apart as an old west hero by his independence, self-reliance, and sense of justice. Matt Dillon works as an independent law-man. In our modern times we are used to policemen who work interdependently of a greater police force. In the old west however, the independent enforcer prevailed. As you listen to the episodes of Gunsmoke, you realize how much Dillon typifies the persona of a lone hero. With the only assistance coming from his deputy Chester, Dillon acts as the lone voice of law and reason. This independent attitude makes Dillon be self-reliant. When it comes to dealing with outlaws, he relies on his own intuition and expertise to solve the situation. In one instance, Dillon is trying to find an outlaw, but when he finds him he realizes that he has actually "gone straight." He finds this by talking to him and seeing his new character. Just like in this situation, being an independent law-man requires him to rely on his senses and abilities to take care of any situation that might arise. What really sets Dillon apart as a great old-west hero is his keen sense of justice. Even when his own life is on the line, Dillon never wavers from his responsibilities of justice. One day somebody comes into town looking to kill for the person who killed his father. It turns out that it was Dillon who killed him. Instead of trying to protect himself however, he does everything he can to simply talk to him and make him see the reason that his father died. Moreover, he correctly identifies the real criminal. Through his own investigative judgment, he deals with a situation that could otherwise prove to be dreadful and appalling. The typical lawman is personified in the character of Matt Dillon. The old-west lawman might not have necessarily been as respectable as Dillon, but the old-west stories have been mythologized to create this typical character. In essence, Dillon stands for the virtuous elements of the old-west, and carries them out in his daily life.