p of him. This relationship is crucial because apart from allowing us as an audience to see Shane's human side, it also forces Joey to mature. He loves Shane, but is brought to realize that he cannot become a permanent part of his life because of the lifestyle he lives. Shane may be “a brave and noble figure,” (Miller 70) but his lifestyle lacks the stability to successfully raise a family. He understands this and rides out of town, but not before telling Joey to 'grow up fine and straight'. A domestic life may lack excitement but it enables you to live a life filled with love, instead of the lonely existence that Shane leads. Through his relationship with Joey we understand the Shane is not invincible and is in fact trapped by his life. He is forced to live alone in a world where the skills of a lone gunman are becoming obsolete and a stable domestic life has become the social norm. Matt Cole's son, Harry (Bob Watson), is also important in Dodge City. Instead of being a key character, he is more a symbol of the lawlessness that has infested the city. His relationship with Wade Hatton is one of admiration, because he is the only person in town who defies Surret (Bruce Cabot). It is not a close relationship, yet when Harry is killed accidentally during a gunfight Wade is persuaded to stay and fight. Perhaps this is because Harry’s death is symbolic of the “wide-open Babylon of the American frontier” (Morse 20) that Dodge City was becoming. A city filled with thieves, hustlers and gunmen (Morse 20), where the innocent die because they cannot defend themselves against their oppressors. It is this that prompts Hatton to remain and fight. Unless somebody is willing to take a stand, things will just get worse and more innocents will die. For this reason Hatton's actions could be seen as more heroic than that of Shane's. He is willing to risk his life for a principle, making Dodge City safe for 'women and children...
