I want to discuss The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance in this context. Few recognize it as a tale of oppression and revolution. But it is just that. This film has many layers of oppression. Let’s focus on the surface level, the obvious oppression of the people of Shinbone by Liberty Valance. When considering oppression, it’s typically a government or group oppressing others. But there is a more insidious type. Soul’s violation by a violent entity.

People labeled them bullies when you were young. If a bully never faces opposition from someone strong and virtuous, their terror affects society more severely. Valance kept the people of Shinbone living in fear of living itself and, especially, of growing as a community. There were no schools, no printing press, nothing free of the fear that everything they built would be ruined by one man and his band of terrorist.

Enter Ransom Stoddard. He’s not only a lawyer but also a man of courage and character and vehicle for Revolution. But his ideals alone prevent him from facing Valance on his level. Valance destroys every effort Stoddard makes to bring law, order, and progress to the small town. He is out gunned.

Tom Doniphon is capable of strength and violence. Bullies don’t pick on the string. But Doniphon lacks the moral will to stop Valance.

The formula entails moral character, vision, strength, and the will to act. Only together do these men defeat Valance. And the town of Shinbone matures into a flourishing and well-rounded society.