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The Outlaw Josey Wales

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Matthew Magill Mr. Kearney American Hero (6) 12 November 2012 The Outlaw Josey Wales In The Outlaw Josey Wales, the viewer finds the hero, Josey Wales, representing Christ to a world of sinners. It is unclear whether Clint Eastwood intended to direct the movie in mind with such similarities between Christ’s role as a savior and Josey’s actions. Christ is an archetypal, mythological hero figure that the well-read viewer finds often. From the physical wound in Josey’s right rib, to the fact that Josey, a lone hero, cannot help but guide and protect genuine people likens him to the figure of Christ. Furthermore, Josey indirectly offers his path to redemption to everyone around him, even the sinners, often portrayed as bounty hunters …show more content…

Josey’s inability to turn away from those in need is expressed repeatedly by Clint Eastwood in the film. For example, when Josey is firing away at the wicked Union soldiers, Jamie asks him why he won’t leave. The answer is that Josey is sacrificing himself to save the boy, replying with “I got nothing better to do.” Not until Josey realizes that the boy is wounded does he drop his weapons to guide Jamie to safety. Jamie passes away in the rain, signifying that he has been cleansed of his sins with the help of the savior Josey Wales. He states his satisfaction for what Josey has done for him with “I’ve never felt better.” Furthermore, we find Josey, much like Jesus, protecting the weakest in the film. Josey takes a special interest in protecting Indians, including Lone Watie and Moonlight. Everything has been taken from the Indians, including their dignity, and Josey find himself as a leader for these vulnerable people. Josey trusts Lone Watie, and he is not afraid to share his wisdom with the man on how to rid the world of the sinners. He tells him his tactics on how to pull a gun quickly on mercenaries. Later, when Josey faces the Comancheros, Lone Watie states, “We’re facing the sun; this will give him an edge.” Josey stands as a lone savior against a large group of rapists and murderers, and they are afraid of the “Son.” Josey’s followers become a closely linked family, and

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