Midnight Cowboy (1969)

Brief Intro

“Midnight Cowboy,” directed by John Schlesinger and released in 1969, is a groundbreaking film that tells the poignant story of Joe Buck, a naive Texan who moves to New York City with dreams of becoming a hustler. He befriends a sickly con man, Ratso Rizzo, and together they navigate the harsh realities of urban life. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and remains a significant work in American cinema for its raw portrayal of friendship, survival, and disillusionment.

Literary Devices Used in Midnight Cowboy

Scene	Example
Joe’s arrival in New York City	Juxtaposition: Joe’s vibrant cowboy outfit contrasts starkly with the grimy city streets.
Ratso’s dream sequence	Symbolism: Ratso’s dream of Florida symbolizes his yearning for escape and a better life.

Juxtaposition

Scene	Example
Joe’s arrival in New York City	Joe’s vibrant cowboy outfit contrasts starkly with the grimy city streets.
Party scene	The chaotic and garish party contrasts with Joe and Ratso’s desolate lives.

Symbolism

Scene	Example
Ratso’s dream sequence	Ratso’s dream of Florida symbolizes his yearning for escape and a better life.
Joe’s cowboy outfit	Joe’s cowboy attire symbolizes his naïve and misplaced dreams of success.

Flashback

Scene	Example
Joe’s flashbacks to Texas	These flashbacks reveal his troubled past and reasons for leaving.
Ratso’s past memories	Ratso’s memories explain his distrust and cynicism.

Foreshadowing

Scene	Example
Ratso’s cough	Early scenes with Ratso’s cough foreshadow his deteriorating health.
Joe’s meeting with a woman	Joe’s failure to perform foreshadows his struggles in New York.

Irony

Scene	Example
Joe’s dream	Joe dreams of success but ends up struggling more than ever.
Ratso’s name	Ratso is called “Ratso” but is far more vulnerable than his nickname suggests.

Metaphor

Scene	Example
Ratso’s limp	Ratso’s limp is a metaphor for his broken spirit and hardships.
New York City	The city itself is a metaphor for the harshness and indifference of society.

Motif

Scene	Example
Joe’s cowboy outfit	The recurring motif of Joe’s cowboy outfit highlights his misplaced identity.
Cold and heat imagery	The frequent mention of cold and heat reflects the characters’ emotional states.

Personification

Scene	Example
New York streets	The streets of New York are depicted as menacing, almost as if alive.
Ratso’s illness	Ratso’s illness is portrayed as a relentless force, almost with a will of its own.

Allusion

Scene	Example
Ratso’s talk of Florida	Alludes to the American Dream and the myth of paradise.
Joe’s “Midnight Cowboy” persona	Alludes to Western heroes, but in an ironic and tragic context.

Imagery

Scene	Example
Joe’s arrival in Times Square	Vivid imagery of bright lights and chaos contrasts with Joe’s solitude.
Party scene	Sensory overload with colorful, chaotic imagery to depict disarray.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Joe Buck

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Joe’s cowboy outfit symbolizes his naïve dreams and desire for a new identity.
Flashback	Flashbacks to Texas reveal his traumatic past and motivations for leaving.

Ratso Rizzo

Device	Explanation
Foreshadowing	Ratso’s persistent cough foreshadows his eventual decline and death.
Metaphor	Ratso’s limp serves as a metaphor for his broken dreams and harsh life.

Character Dynamics

The dynamic between Joe and Ratso is central to the film’s narrative and thematic depth. Initially, they are two outcasts with seemingly opposite personalities: Joe is optimistic and naive, while Ratso is cynical and streetwise. However, their relationship evolves as they become dependent on each other for survival and companionship. The juxtaposition of their backgrounds and the development of their bond illustrate themes of friendship, loneliness, and the human need for connection.

Thematic Analysis

Survival in an Unforgiving World

Device	Explanation
Irony	Joe’s dream of success contrasts with his harsh reality of survival.
Symbolism	Ratso’s dream of Florida symbolizes a fleeting hope for a better life.

Friendship and Isolation

Device	Explanation
Juxtaposition	The stark contrast between Joe and Ratso’s personalities highlights their bond.
Metaphor	The cold streets of New York metaphorically represent their isolation.

The American Dream

Device	Explanation
Allusion	References to Florida and paradise allude to the elusive American Dream.
Imagery	Vivid imagery of New York City depicts the harsh reality behind the dream.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Visual and Sound Techniques

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Flashback	Sepia tones	Sepia tones in flashbacks highlight the contrast between past and present.
Irony	Contrasting music	Upbeat music in dire situations emphasizes the ironic undertones of the scenes.

Symbolism

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Symbolism	Set design	The decaying urban environment symbolizes the characters’ deteriorating hopes.
Metaphor	Lighting	Dark and shadowy lighting reflects the grim realities the characters face.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene Selection

1. Joe’s Arrival in New York City
   • Watch Scene
   • Breakdown: Joe’s bright cowboy outfit contrasts starkly with the grim, chaotic streets of New York, symbolizing his misplaced dreams and the harsh reality he faces.
2. Ratso’s Dream Sequence
   • Watch Scene
   • Breakdown: The dream sequence uses bright, surreal imagery to symbolize Ratso’s hope for a better life in Florida, contrasting sharply with his actual dire situation.
3. Party Scene
   • Watch Scene
   • Breakdown: The chaotic and colorful party scene uses visual and auditory overload to depict the disarray in Joe and Ratso’s lives, emphasizing their sense of isolation amidst the crowd.

Conclusion

To wrap up our in-depth analysis, let’s test your knowledge with a fun interactive quiz! 🎉

Interactive Quiz

1. Which literary device is used when Joe’s cowboy outfit is contrasted with the New York City streets?
   • A) Metaphor
   • B) Juxtaposition
   • C) Irony
   • D) Allusion
2. What does Ratso’s dream of Florida symbolize?
   • A) His fear of water
   • B) His hope for a better life
   • C) His love for beaches
   • D) His dislike for New York
3. Which character’s limp serves as a metaphor for their broken spirit?
   • A) Joe Buck
   • B) Ratso Rizzo
   • C) Annie
   • D) Rico
4. Which cinematic technique is used to highlight the difference between past and present in Joe’s flashbacks?
   • A) Black and white footage
   • B) Sepia tones
   • C) Fast cuts
   • D) Silent film style
5. What does the use of upbeat music in dire situations emphasize in the film?
   • A) The characters’ happiness
   • B) The ironic undertones of their plight
   • C) The excitement of the city
   • D) The film’s comedic elements