American Heroes John Wayne vs Billy the Kid

John Wayne was viewed as the embodiment of America’s spirit. He and the fictitious land he roamed is, says Louis Owens, “The greatest dream of all,” (La Puerta 109). The man was always trying to correct some wrong, avenge a moral crime, save a damsel in distress, or capture the “bad guy.” He followed his own path, made his own rules, strove for personal justice, and always came out on top (and usually ‘got the …

…fame and the ‘almighty dollar’ and it didn’t matter whose toes were stepped on in the pursuit. He is an early example of the villain you ‘love to hate.’ Bibliography Etilain, Richard. “Billy the Kid: Thunder in the West.” La Puerta. Second Edition. Eds. Wanda Martin, et al. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt, 1999. 36-51. Owens, Louis. “The Invention of John Wayne.” La Puerta. Second Edition. Eds. Wanda Martin, et al. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt, 1999. 108-118.