[The label ""chicken"" regularly sets Jim off, reminding him of his father who is a weak figure literally ""hen-pecked"" by his nagging mother - "she eats him alive and he takes it"]:Jim: They think that they can protect me by moving around all the time.] Jake also becomes hot-headed when he must defend his sleazy profession (of nosing into other people""s personal affairs) to another shop customer (Doc Erickson) who is employed by the First National Bank Mortgage Department:Listen, pal.Filmed in journalistic, documentary-style black and white textures with some low-key lighting and chiaroscuro (often provided by a candle or low light source) - beautifully captured by Gregg Toland""s expert cinematography (remarkably un-nominated!), he picture records with astute realism rural America in the 30s." They are concerned about Comanche marauders and Indian uprisings.Cattle rustlers (or Indians) have stolen some cattle from the Lars Jorgensen ranch nearby, and they want to hunt for them.To him it was a metaphor for he decay of contemporary culture.The same lack of individual integrity hat caused so many people to take the easy way out was rapidly turning he town of his dreams in.