Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

to confront Ringo, Ford still shoots them as if they are inside. Unlike the wide shots of the Valley even the
outside streets of Lordsburg are filmed tight and dark. A constricting enclosure is formed, representative of
how society itself is enclosing in on Ringo. It is civilization itself that cages these people in and instigates the
wildness it attempts to repress.
Ringo’s relationship with Dallas plays a central role in the development of Stagecoach. Dallas is a
prostitute who is being driven out of the town of Tonto by a moral brigade of townswomen. She has been
cast out of society just as has Ringo. She and the alcoholic doctor are being thrown out of town are “victims
of a foul disease called social prejudice” declare Doc Boone. Mrs. Mallory speaks for all society when she
calls Dallas “a creature”. In the beginning of the journey Dallas is not accepted by society, but she is still
very much a part of it.In the stagecoach she is on the very bottom of society, yet unlike Ringo, she is not
free of the constraints of civilization. She sits just as cramped and crowded on the coach as the other
passengers. Dallas accepts her place on the bottom rung.
When Ringo joins the group and the coach travels longer through the desert, Dallas realizes what
life could be like outside the constraints of civilization. Ringo considers Dallas to be a lady; he offers her
water when the rest of the group chooses to ignore her and sits with her at the table during a meal. When
Ringo seats Dallas at the table near Mrs. Mallory, he is consciously telling her she has value and is worthy of
a place in society. The group, however, rejects both of them. Mrs. Mallory and Hatfield choose to move
and sit on the other side of the room, effectively created a barrier between their civilization and where they
perceive Dallas and Ringo should be. The seating is a confinement here just as it is in the coach. These two
outsiders are paired together in that moment and create their own society.
Even when Dallas attempts to find a place in the society of the coach she is rejected. She plays an
integral part in the birth of Mrs. Mallory’s baby. She cares for the woman through the night, barely sleeping
herself and cares for the child as well. Yet, the next morning when Doc comes in to examine Mrs. Mallory,
she cannot even bear to look at Dallas. She previously considered the prostitute to be a creature, and while
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