First of all, thank you for turning me on to this book. This is a book that I never would have discovered if not for your recommendation (which is what reading clubs is all about). After all, the book was in the "teen" section at Barnes & Noble and even the cover art of the book itself suggested that it was a book for kids. But there is some fine writing here and I think the average teenager would find this rather challenging. More so than your typical Louis L'Amour book (which are found in the adult section).
There are some important themes running through this book that have application in today's world. The first theme is that one must face up to and confront danger. The danger is not going to "go away" simply because you wish to adopt a live and let live approach to life, as Shane wanted to start doing. It is better to face danger and risk death then to run from it, as you would be broken and unable to live with yourself afterwards.
Another theme is that pacifism only ensures your own destruction. You must be prepared to defend yourself against your adversaries. You cannot expect to get along with them or allow them to "buy you off." For once you allow them to, you will have sold your soul to them.
In the book, Shane "swears" off gun-fighting and refuses to carry his gun or even use it. As a result, when the time comes that he is forced to use his gun again, he is "rusty" and it results in his injury and perhaps death, but we will never know that as he rode out of town. Even if you do not plan to be the aggressor, it is important that you "keep your swords sharp" or you will be made to pay the price.
The real hero in the book for me is Joe Starrett. He has courage, wisdom, judgment, strength and perseverance. All traits that made America great. And in her own way, Joe's wife is just as strong. After all, it was Mrs. Starrett that convinced Shane to stay and fight the ranchers. I detected something going on between Shane and Mrs. Starrett as well. Not anything overtly sexual, but it is clear that had Mrs. Starrett not been spoken for, Shane would have had an interest.
I was struck by the "tree trump" scene in the book in which Joe Starrett and Shane wordlessly chopped up the huge tree stump that was in the yard. The stump evidently wasn't hurting anything but it was THERE and the farm wouldn't be perfect until it was removed. Removing that stump represented Joe's desire to completely dominate his environment and that NOTHING was going to stand in his way. As well, Mrs. Starrett has the same determination to master her environment. When her "perfect pie" was burnt due to her watching Shane and Joe work, she insisted upon making another one while Shane and Joe ate and would not move from the stove (or eat herself) until it was done. This sheer determination to overcome obstacles and achieve the goal at hand is also what makes America great.
I also have comments about the boy but I'll save them for tonight. Time to get back to work!
I think the sexual revolution gave permission for men and women to behave like cads in the belief that somehow overcoming sexual repression was the road to happiness. It made it ok to cheat on spouses or use the opposite sex in an explotive manner. I find many men who can't understand why their wives won't obey. I can't speak for all women but I know for me I would never be able to obey a man I do not respect. An honorable man I think is what many women are looking for. I would be so nice to live again in a time where one was expected to do their duty and not whine about it. God I'm sick to tears of whining by men and women who think they are making the supreme sacrific for just showing up and doing life in a resposible manner.
Shane's wish for Bob was that he "grow strong and straight". It 's too bad that we produced a generation of men and women that would not understand the first thing about that idea. They no doubt would have to run to their values neutral therapist who would give them all the justifications they needed to continue to live their dishonrable self-indulgent lifestyles.All this psychological and hand holding has produced nothing except dependent self centered children pretending to be adults. I wish to God there where more Joe Starrett's in the world. If there where we might find we had stable families again,women who could repect the men in their lives and obey them and children who felt safe with loving reponsible parents.