Pistols at High Noon

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The development of the Code Duello in America is explored through the lens of cultural shifts following Reconstruction and westward expansion. The Civil War disrupted the duel's cultural support, yet its ethos persisted on the frontier. This study investigates the interplay between speech and physical actions within the Duello's codifications, revealing how its values shape conflict and violence in western literature and popular culture. The lasting impact of these ideals on contemporary views of conflict, gender, and individual societal roles is also examined.