True Grit

In True Grit by Charles Portis, this story is an unusual western because its told from the point of view of a 14 year old girl who seems smarter than all the other characters. However, she needs help to get justice for her father's murder. More westerns create a myth of the old west with a hero that is a cowboy who is supposed to be a good guy. In this story, Rooster Cogburn is US Marshall, and Mattie wants to hire him to capture Tom Chaney and bring him to trial. However, Rooster don't fit the typical western hero. when Mattie first meets him he is still a bit drunk from the night before. He also only agrees to help Mattie for the money.

As the story goes on, Mattie tries to remind in charge and Rooster keeps his grumpy character going. However, you can tell Rooster is beginning to respect and like Mattie because she is so spunky. The third member of their posse is a Texas Ranger who is very serious about his job and doesn't like Rooster's sloppy ways. He seems to be true to that type of character in a western.

By the end, Rooster has start to care about Mattie, even though he won't admit it. He shows this by saving her from the snakes and rushing her back to the doctor. It might be corny and not true to human nature, but it was nice to have somewhat of a happy ending.

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