On 31 Oct Brian Taves wrote: <Yes, one can talk about western elements in whatever work that is not in the western setting.> I think the point is excellent.It seems to me that the essence of a Western lies in its description of a rugged life of struggle against the elements in an effort to produce a civilized and domestic social order. Rob Roy has the original Western plot. The hero establishes a life for himself in "frontier" Scotland.The story even comes complete with a "hired swordslinger" villain whose actions are suggestive of Jack Palance in Shane. Sincerely, Peter Latham ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]