In James Mangold's movie 3:10 to Yuma Dan Evans proves to be an important protagonist who serves as a symbol of manhood, doing what he can to live a respectable life. Dan's character develops throughout the course of the movie from a quiet frank man to an extraordinary hero. The movie further establishes that a man needs to be a man for his son. Dan is a Civil War veteran and rancher, who is trying his best to make ends meet for his family. Dan is a simple an honesty man. Dan is a brave man, being the only person to get Ben Wade on the 3:10 to Yuma. Though his small ranch faces harsh droughts and is under immense debt, Dan refuses to give up and fail his family or himself as a father and husband. In the opening scene, Dan watches helplessly as the landlord's men burn down his barn. The burning is a reminder for him to either pay up or leave the land. The barn was already producing little and Dan's grueling efforts to save his barn seem a failure. Dan's life, like the barn is also crumbling. The fire is an archetype of light that gives knowledge to his wife that he did not make the last payment for the barn. Instead, Dan used the money to buy medicine for their son Marc, who is seriously ill. Dan's relationship with his family falters because of his financial burdens. Dan's son, William, does not look up to him and decides he, "never wants to be in his shoes." This greatly hurts Dan and is a constant reminder to his failure of providing for his family. Dan also fears that he has lost the faith of his wife, who views him as stubborn. When Dan is in Bisbee he helps to get Ben Wade, the villain, captured by the sheriff. He furthermore decides to escort Ben to Yuma saying to his wife that he's "been standing on one leg for three years, and praying but God ain't listening. This is an important statement because this shows how tired Dan was of this life and how he was so determined to get the money. Dan Evans is courageous as we see ag