Stereotypes in The Searchers

                The stereotype of the “typical” American Indian is present in many western movies of both the past and the present.  It’s no wonder that this portrayal of the American Indian in these types of movies is the image that most people associate with them.  Their warrior calls and essentially their essence in these movies is what sets them apart from the settlers and makes them look inferior.  From the first time the Indians appear during The Searchers, these stereotypes already emerge.  Some think Indians are cruel and heartless, and these characteristics are supported by their actions in the movie.  This idea is first demonstrated when Ethan’s family is killed and the girls are kidnapped.  Prior to these events occurring, not much background is given to what has actually been occurring between the Indians and the settlers, so when the girls are kidnapped, the audience automatically assumes the Indians did this with provocation from the settlers.  This essentially fuels the idea of Indians being heartless and their actions unjustified.  It’s also shown when Ethan and Martin finally catch up with Scar and he shows them the pole filled with the peoples’ hair and scalps.  This idea of kidnapping settlers that is present in The Searchers, also supports Mary Rowlandson’s account of the time when she was kidnapped.  Many of the kidnapped people were killed while some actually became a part of the tribe.

                These attributes that are often associated with American Indians directly correlates with their onscreen portrayal.  Indians are often given few or no lines in order to make them appear unintelligent.  The few lies that some speak are often in their native language and most of the audience has no way of understanding them.  Also, one way in which Indians are represented as the villain is during attacks.  When the Indians are approaching, loud, booming drums are played.  Also when the settlers are killed by Indian attacks, it’s often seen as unjustified because the settlers feel as though they own the land and they did nothing to deserve the violence that the Indians inflicted.  In contrast, when Indians are killed it’s cause for celebration because they “deserve” it.  For example, in The Searchers, Ethan and Martin are trying to rescue Debra.  When they encounter Indians and kill them, their actions seem justified because it’s for the noble reason of rescuing a child when in reality, this is murder.

                I also found it interesting how the settlers were all against the Indians.  When Ethan found out Martin was part Indian he seemed angered by this and insults him throughout the movie because of it.  They often referred to Indians as savages and when they found Debra was “part” of the tribe, Ethan wanted to kill her rather than let her live with the Indians.  Another interesting aspect of The Searchers is the role of religion in Indian society.  When Ethan came across an Indian that was buried, he shot him in both eyes to prevent him from moving on to the spiritual world.  This was done to show both power over the Indians and to insult the Indians’ beliefs.  It seems as though the cinematography purposely focused on the stereotypes of Indians because of the events that were occurring at the time The Searchers was made, and this strengthens peoples’ judgments to create more hostility between races.  It also reinforces the idea of whites being superior.