True Grit novel

True Grit novel

The author of the True Grit novel was addressing the traits of bravery and courage, as demonstrated by the various characters in the novel. Mattie, fourteen years old, was courageous enough to leave home and went off to avenge her father’s blood who had been killed by Tom Chaney. Erhart (2018), noted that Tom Chaney had killed Mattie’s father and stolen his valuables including two California gold pieces, and Mattie was on a mission to trace Tom, and she did not mind whether she will get him alive or dead. When Tom and Frank Ross went to the barroom, Tom decided to play a game of cards, and he, unfortunately, lost all his wages. Tom decided to revenge turned the loss to Frank Ross, and he took his rifle and fearlessly shot Frank in the forehead, killing him instantly. After the brutal killing, Tom stole from Frank, and when he was done with the thieving, he courageously struck the night watchman and knocked him down.

When the Rooster, LaBoeuf and Mattie took a break at San Bois Mountains, they heard some disturbing noise, and without hesitation, LaBoeuf went down the woods to investigate the cause of the noise, and this was a show of braveness since LaBoeuf risked his life to protect Rooster, Mattie and himself. When the three characters reached the dugout, Rooster ordered Mattie and LaBoeuf to wait as he approached the door, and this was a show of true grit. Later LaBoeuf joined him. Rooster fearlessly exchanged gunshots with the strangers inside the dugout. LaBoeuf and Rooster courageously confronted the two men from the dugout. Erhart (2018), stated that, “Rooster and LaBouef made them lie down on their bellies in the snow while they were searched for more weapons.” Rooster had also demonstrated true grit when he told Mattie that he had previously skinned buffalo and killed wolves for bounty out in the Yellow House Creek in Texas.

Rooster demonstrated proved to be courageous when he went ahead and cut the rope that had tied up the black mule to the porch of the store with his dirk knife. He twice kicked off the two boys who were sitting at the end of the porch. Rooster told one of the boys, “see that you mend your ways, boy, or I will come back some night and cut off your head and let the crows peck your eyeballs out” (McMullin, 2017). When Mattie set off down the hill to fetch water, she came across Tom Chaney, who had killed her father and then stole from him. Mattie told Tom to follow her, and if he refused, she would shoot her. Tom refused, and Mattie fearlessly shot him up. Mattie said, “I pointed the revolver at his belly and shot him down.” Rooster fearlessly exchanged gunshots with the four bandits led by Lucky Ned Pepper, and this was a show of bravery since it was a battle of one against four.

The author noted that LaBoeuf was determined to the extent that he could not leave without the body of Tom Chaney. He even risked his life and courageously went down the hole to trace the body of Tom. According to the author, “none of the marshals was anxious to go down in the pit, so LaBoeuf had them lower him on a rope” (Portis, 1968). When Tom was about to kill Mattie, LaBoeuf appeared and fearlessly ordered Tom to drop his pistol and get his hands up. Tom dropped the pistol and withdrew from holding Mattie’s coat. It was that brave interrogation by LaBoeuf that saved the life of Mattie. When Lucky Ned Pepper and his bandits appeared in the dugout, it was the brave shooting of LaBoeuf that caused panic and confusion among the bandits. My opinion on the concept of being courageous and brave is that both traits are important in our daily lives but should not be used at the expense of others. Both traits are key towards achieving one’s mission, as demonstrated in the novel of the True Grit.

References

Erhart, W. (2018). Comparing Masculinities–True Grit (1968, 1969, 2010). Internationales Archiv für Sozialgeschichte der deutschen Literatur.

McMullin, M. (2017). True Grit, (2010).

Portis, C. (1968). True Grit.