Shane (novel)

Plot

The story is set in 1889 Wyoming and narrated by eleven-year-old Bob Starrett. His father, Joe Starrett, and twelve other homesteaders claimed land that had been used by cattle driver Luke Fletcher.

Fletcher, who could only claim 160 acres, wants to expand his herd and sees the homesteads as obstacles. The mysterious Shane rides into the Starretts' lives, is hired as a hand, and helps the homesteaders resist Fletcher's intimidation. Shane is forced into a gun battle to protect the farm.

Characters

Shane is a mysterious gunslinger who tries to leave his violent past behind and refuses to carry a gun, but ultimately fights Fletcher to save Starrett's farm. Bob Starrett, the eleven-year-old narrator, idolizes Shane. Joe Starrett, Bob's father, is a former cattle driver and the homesteaders' leader.

Marian Starrett, Joe's wife, loves her husband but also comes to love Shane. Luke Fletcher, the antagonist, is an open-range rancher who uses intimidation and deadly force to acquire land. Chris is a cowhand who intimidates homesteaders.

Stark Wilson is a hired gunslinger. Ernie Wright is a fellow homesteader. Mr. Grafton owns the general store, and Will Atkey is the bartender there.

Publication

Shane was originally published as a three-part serial titled Rider from Nowhere in Argosy magazine beginning in July 1946. This version was shorter and lacked the stump-removal scene. Argosy editor Harry Steeger noted the manuscript was poorly typed and amateurish in appearance, but an editor read it and could not put it down. Houghton Mifflin issued a revised and expanded version in 1949.

Did You Know?

• The 1985 Clint Eastwood film Pale Rider borrows heavily from the plot of Shane.
• The 2017 Marvel superhero film Logan drew substantial thematic influence from Shane and included specific dialog references and clips from the 1953 film.
• A novel has inspired a rock song 'Šejn' (Shane in Serbo-Croatian) from 1985 by Yugoslav rock band Haustor.