In his article, Gallagher uses the Western to examine what he sees as a problem symptomatic of genre critics. He finds that critics often ignore evidence in order to make sweeping generalizations about the evolution of film. The Western is said by many to shift from "classic" films to self-reflective films that parody and deconstruct the genre. They will cite the rise of pessimism, complexity, antiheroes, and irony as elements rising in the 50s and 60s that support this claim. However, Gallagher states that such critics fail to examine a fair sampling of movies, ignore the subtleties of old films, and focus more on narrative rather than cinematic style. They are thus unable to make well-backed claims. Gallagher points out that the Western's characteristics have changed cyclically with other genres through different points in our nation's history. Gallagher refutes the claim that early Westerns were more realistic and lacked the self-awareness of those with more extreme ideals or use of violence. He says that in fact by the 10s and 20s there were already films reacting against and parodying flashy Westerns with pretty-boy heroes. There were films with rough characters and unhappy endings, that after WWI were in fact reacted against by critics. Gallagher seems to suggest that film will always change to fit modern times, and will also possess enough stylistic subtleties to escape easy characterization.
         A significant part of my analysis of Yojimbo has sought to fit it into the context of such characterizations of both the Western genre and the jidaigeki. Gallagher's article points to heavy flaws in the system of genre analysis used in the film literature to achieve this goal. While many lines of influence can be traced from one director to another, it is difficult to read too much into generalizations. Characteristics such as the amoral drifter Sanjuro and Kurosawa's ironic use of over the top violence could be seen primarily as part of a gradual evolution of film to keep up with modern times.

Film genre reader III / edited by Barry Keith Grant. [0292701845 ] Austin, Tex. : University of Texas Press, 2003.
Call#: Van Pelt Library PN1995 .F45793 2003

 

Within this book is an essay by Margaret Tarratt entitled, "monsters from the id" which argues that although science fiction films do reflect a society's anxiety regarding technological advancement in the way of destructive weapons, and are very much concerned with morality, they more importantly, are preoccupied with examining the inner, deeper nature of the human being. Tarratt establishes her opinions by discussing instances in films using Freudian psychoanalyses to interpret them. She believes that although science fictions films do in fact deal with society as a whole, they conclude their morals and social commentary through dramatizing, and thereby expelling, the individual persons own anxieties relating to their repressed sexual desires. These of course, do not comply with societies ideals and morality and therefore are as she puts it, "incompatible with civilized life" (pg 347) As Freud says in his Anxiety in Instinctual Life, "unconsummated excitation" is the cause of anxiety and neurosis. And of course, an unfulfilled libido leaves anxiety in the place of sexual aggression. All in all, relating to the science fiction genre, and more specifically to the film Godzilla, it is the monster which is the externalization of a civilized individuals conflict with his or her own basic instincts within the subconscious or Id. Tarratt discusses forbidden planet, in which the monster turns out to be a projection of one of the main characters subliminal feelings of protection towards his daughter. Although Godzilla itself is not discussed, and although the opinions of Tarratt can be questionable, one can relate her ideas to the monster within the film. Godzilla, even though asexual within the films, could be considered a type of phallic symbol. His/Her rampages of destruction could in all actually represent the expression of our own individual repressed sexual desires. Tarratt certainly gives an interesting interpretation.