Shane
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Shane is a 1949 western book by Jack Schaefer. It is often considered his greatest novel.
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[edit] Specifications
- Author = Jack Schaefer
- Cover illustrator =
- Series =
- Genre = Western
- Publisher = Houghton Mifflin
- Country = United States
- Publication Date =
- Nature of Rarity =
- Number in Existence =
- Estimated Value =
[edit] Background
Shane, the traveller and ex gunfighter, a mysterious gunman who enters into the life of Joe Starrett and his family and carves a place for himself in their hearts. Although he tries to leave his gunslinging past behind, refusing to even carry a gun, he decides to fight Fletcher, the town enemies, in order to save Joe Starrett's farm. After he kills Fletcher and Wilson, he feels he must leave the town forever. (There is an unstated implication that he may be dying, as he departs.)
[edit] Major themes
Shane realizes that no matter what he does to escape his past, he will always be a gunfighter. At the end, he accepts this and serves his purpose as a gunslinger by fighting the antagonist, Fletcher.
[edit] Quotes
- "'Call me Shane.'" --Shane
- "'You wouldn't have. Not where you come from. He's a special brand we sometimes get out here in the grass country. I've come across a few. A bad one's poison. A good one's straight grain clear through.'" --Joe Starrett
- "'A man is what he is, Bob, and there's no breaking the mold. I tried that and I've lost. But I reckon it was in the cards from the moment I saw a freckled kid on a rail up the road there and a real man behind him, the kind that could back him for the chance another kid never had.'" --Shane
- '"Yes," said Mr. Weir. "He's alive all right. Wilson got to him. But no bullet can kill that man." A puzzled, faraway sort of look flitted across Mr. Weir's face. "Sometimes I wonder whether anything ever could."' --Mr. Weir
- '"Yes, Starrett. Think it over. You wouldn't want someone else to be enjoying this place of yours--and that woman there in the window."' --Stark Wilson
- '"I brought that for Bob. I'm a poor substitute, Starrett. But as soon as this arm's healed, I'm asking you to let me work for you."' --Chris
- '"Not fit for travelling. Starrett, you're poor shakes as a liar."' --Shane
[edit] Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
- 1953 film Shane, starring Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur and directed by George Stevens
- 1966 television series Shane, starring David Carradine and directed by Herschel Daugherty and Gary Nelson
