Code of the Western: Why SHE Likes Readin’ A Good Ole Western

Stephen Bly (1944-2011)

The Classic Western Style

Perhaps more than any other genre, there’s a code of the western. “Westerns require adherence to some fairly strict guidelines. Writing in this genre requires knowledge of its expectations,” says R. L. Coffield in her article, “Sexuality and Cursing in the Western.”

The code of the western applies especially to the classic western style.

Western novel fans presume a certain code of the western. No explicit scenes. Swearing minimal or nonexistent. But there can be lots of romance amidst the shootin’ and dyin’. Character development is a must. (Or setting development, such as in a classic Zane Grey.) Good triumphs over evil. That’s why classic westerns attract lots of female readers.

In my western Creede of Old Montana, protagonist Avery John Creede rides into Ft. Benton, Montana, looking for old army pals. Instead, he stumbles into a running gun fight with a notorious outlaw and two women determined to distract him, each for their own reasons. Creede seems at first to either be very naïve with the ladies, or one smooth cowboy. Whichever, the results prove to be the same.

There’s lots of the usual head banging in the book, and it’s not all done by the males.

“With the quickness and velocity of a mother killing a snake with a hoe, Sunny slammed the barrel of the revolver into the back of the outlaw’s head. He crumpled to the sand.” (from Creede of Old Montana)

In one chapter I put Avery John Creede on the trail with this same Sunny (a.k.a. Mary Jane Cutler), and male/female sparks happen … some humorous, some “Aha!” But I do keep a close eye on them. Trust me. It’s the code of the western.

Note About This Scene

This also has to do with code of the western expectations. On the trail ride, even though Sunny’s a tough gal in lots of ways, she rides sidesaddle. That’s not just because she’s wearing a dress. It was thought to be scandalous beyond civilized reason for females to straddle a horse in the 1800s. And much later into the 1900s. She has no intention of breaking that sanction. And I, as the author, try very hard to stick with historical cultural facts.

Creede of Old Montana

That’s one reason the movie, Shane, rankles me. In an otherwise excellent western, why in the world did the wardrobe people clothe Jean Arthur in pants? U.S. women, even ranch gals, didn’t start wearing slacks of any sort until WWII with the advent of Rosie the Riveter and the influence of the working gal.

That’s what it’s all about for the reader … knowing what to expect when they pick up another title by an author they’ve come to know and enjoy. I try to stay with the expectations. If I don’t, I hear about it. They hold me to the code of the western … whether I’ve crossed a line in this reader’s mind in language choice, a suggestive taboo, or getting the details right.

Stephen Bly

Copyright 2009

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Related Resources

Old West Cowboy Code Meets Medieval Cowboy Code MEDIEVAL COWBOY CODE

Petticoats & Pistols blog CODE OF WESTERN FOR GALS

The Bly family finishes award-winning western author Stephen Bly’s last novel THE TICKING CLOCK