In The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Tom Doniphon’s rise to power as a gunslinger and ultimate fall into obscurity illustrates the cost of progress and symbolizes the end of the pioneer era. Doniphon’s initial rise to power as a gunslinger is due to the environment around him. The lawless and ungovernable territorial west he inhabits creates the necessity for a maverick archetype to protect the town of Shinbone. The arrival of Ransom Stoddard, coupled with his newfound pursuit of justice and order, upends his role. In the climax of the film, in which Liberty Valance is perceived to be shot by Ransom and Ransom is subsequently celebrated as a judge of law and order, Tom Doniphon drunkenly sets his ranch ablaze. Ransom’s triumph over Valance,
