McCabe and Mrs. Miller tells two interrelated but recognizably distinct stories, each bearing some relationship to … [a Western theme]. One is the story of the founding and growth of a frontier town. The second is that of McCabe's personal struggle for survival. These two parts of the film can be separated and discussed individually to show how Altman creates a work which uses the forms and themes of the conventional Western to systematically undercut the meanings traditionally associated with them. (pp. 269-70)

Until the mid-point of McCabe and Mrs. Miller Altman seems unconcerned with characterizing the end toward which the town is moving. Upon reflection it can be seen that the town's progress has been measured by vast material changes. But here in the middle of the film Altman begins to analyze and evaluate the morality of the towns-people. The arrival of the representatives of the mining company...