22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Mise-en-scène in Stagecoach: Dallas' Newly Embraced Freedom
Kara M. Bollinger
Dr. Bob Mielke, Faculty Mentor
Through the western Stagecoach, John Ford explores the conflicting meanings that the different societal classes connect with the wilderness and civilization. While Ford relies on multiple formalistic elements in the film to depict these meanings, this paper will focus on the ways in which the mise-en-scène shows how different classes view society and its counterpart, the wilderness. A study of the mise-en-scène provides insight into each of the films characters, but this particular paper will focus on the town prostitute, Dallas, and her relationships with civilization and the wilderness. The application to Dallas is especially meaningful because it emphasizes Ford's use of another character from the film, the Ringo Kid, as the catalyst for her liberation from a trapping, judgmental society.
Keywords: Film, Stagecoach, John Ford , Mise-en-scène
Topic(s):English
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 19-3
Location: OP 2117
Time: 10:15