Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

Ethan is synonymous with the Valley yet again. He stands as the physical manifestation of the freedom and
individualism Monument Valley represents.
While Wayne and the Valley represent the individual, the house represents civilization and society.
Ford depicts the early view of the Edwards’ home as warm and comfortable. It is a place filled with happy
children, seemingly content with their lives. A family lives there, in a way their own complete society.
Though there is initial excitement for his arrival, Ethan’s relationship with his family begins to fissure almost
as soon as he arrives. While the house appears happy and safe for those living in it, that is not the case for
Ethan. He is very clearly an outsider imposing on his hosts. While the family enthusiastically welcomes
Ethan into the fold, immediately after dinner Aaron questions Ethan on how long he plans to stay. The
mood is tense as Aaron ushers Martha into their bedroom and literally shuts the door on Ethan, relegating
him to the front porch, figuratively shutting him outside of the society. The next morning when Clayton
arrives, the household is cluttered and claustrophobic, revealing Ethan’s discomfort in the enclosed space of
the family. (Church 51) While they, as a society, function one their own, Ethan disrupts their order.
In Stagecoach society was depicted as a threat to Ringo’s freedom and happiness; in The Searchers
Ethan stands as the threat to society. While never explicitly stated in the film, Ford makes it clear that an
unspoken love exists between Ethan and his sister in law Martha. There is not one word of dialog relaying
this information rather it is expressed visually. Throughout the opening scenes Ethan and Martha look
longingly at each other. Martha, in particular, is seemingly incapable of taking her eyes off of Ethan, who
has been gone for so long. When Ethan first arrives Martha walks backward so as to keep him in sight.
When the ranch house is burning the first name Ethan calls out is Martha. While no words are ever spoken
it is clear that there is something more than familial love between these two. Martha represents a time
before Ethan was an outsider, when he had a place in society. Whatever the cause Martha married Aaron
instead of Ethan.
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