What's in a Name, Will Kane?
The Significance of Gary Cooper`s Name of Kane in High Noon
Dec 14, 2008
In Fred Zinneman's revered American western High Noon, much has been made of the metaphoric significance of the first name of Gary Cooper's Oscar-winning role; "Will," in this analysis, represents the courage of one's convictions, and the power to stand up for what is right in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
The Name of Kane
Much less discussed, however, is the second name of Cooper's iconic character: "Kane." Although it is commonly accepted that High Noon is, above all else, a movie about betrayal, it is always Will himself who inhabits the role of the betrayed; however, an alternative interpretation of the film, in which Will Kane is in fact the betrayer rather than the betrayed, is clearly indicated by an analysis of two of Kane's key relationships in the film: the townspeople of Hadleyville; and his new wife Amy.
Kane Versus Hadleyville
Although they may vary on their own reasons, the citizens of Hadleyville can all agree on one point: it would be best for everyone if Will were to leave. This opinion is most clearly voiced by the mayor of the town, played by Thomas Mitchell:
"[Kane] didn't have to come back here today. But for his sake and the sake of this town, I wish he hadn't. Because if he's not here when Miller comes, my hunch is there won't be any trouble, not one bit... to me, that's the only way out of this. Will, I think you'd better go while there's still time. It's better for you and it's better for us."
To state that Will's leaving would prevent a great deal of bloodshed is, in fact, a rather compelling argument... but Will refuses. Not because he has any particular interest in the well-being of the town, but because his own internal code of honor prevents him from running away.
Kane and Amy
Kane displays even greater selfishness in his treatment of his 23 year-old wife Amy, portrayed by Grace Kelly. She is a devout Quaker, and against bloodshed in all its forms. Kane has vowed to her to do whatever it takes to give up his life of violence, but at the first sign of trouble he abandons this vow and puts Amy in an untenable position: either stand by her man while he stubbornly refuses to walk away from a fight, or leave him behind and stick to her own deeply held convictions.
Kane: I'm sorry, honey, I know how you feel about it.
Amy: Do you?
Kane: Of course I do. I know it's against your religion and all. Sure I know how you feel.
Amy: But you're doing it just the same.
In the end, the only way Kane is able to survive the day is because Amy shoots one of his assailants in the back. This is generally described as a great act of loyalty; but the flip side--compelling a pacifist to commit an act of murder--is in actuality just as great an act of betrayal, as well.
Will Kane as Howard Roark
It is not by accident that the creators of High Noon chose for their protagonist the name of one of the most infamous perpetrators of betrayal; they have in fact created an extremely nuanced characterization of selfish determination, and not the commonly accepted black-and-white vision of an infallible hero as is generally described. It is also no accident that, three years prior to playing Will Kane, Gary Cooper portrayed another character who is a more famous representation of selfish intent: Ayn Rand's Howard Roark, in The Fountainhead. Will Kane can in fact be interpreted as the ultimate Objectivist hero: stalwart against all who would attempt to persuade him to choose the common good over his own uncompromising vision. By staying in Hadleyville and facing his enemies in a violent gunfight, by the time noon strikes the only person Will Kane hasn't betrayed is himself.
 |
