Brief Summary Of The Novel 'True Grit' By Mattie Ross

In the book, Mattie starts out as a lazy teenager who needs to be told what to do by her over controlling mother, but throughout the story, she becomes more responsible and adult-like. For

“True Grit” is about a fourteen year old girl trying to bring justice to the man who killed her father. She hires a sheriff named Rooster to help her. Through characterization, setting, and law enforcement, Charles Portis in “True Grit” sets an accurate portrayal of the time period know as the old west to create a more riveting story.

The next major event is Mattie hiring US Marshall Rooster Cogburn to hunt down Chaney and bring him back to Ft Smith to hang for the murder of her father. As it turns out, just after she hired Rooster, a Texas Ranger shows up in Ft Smith, by the name of LaBoeuf, who is also on the trail of Chaney for the murder of a State Senator in Texas. He meets up with Rooster, and when the latter learns of the much larger reward being offered from people in Texas, he agrees to let LaBoeuf team up with he and

Rooster indeed has grit. The very character of, Rooster Cogburn, can be broken down as a flat out representation of the idea of True Grit. The themes of, revenge and the classic view of the wild west are present in the character. You could say he represents how America at the time went through terrible hardships. Hardships like, getting shot at, carrying a girl while running through harsh lands, and just his demeanor in general. He might get you into trouble, like the old west, but still he’s there to be a true hero like when he rescues Mattie. He is always cussing and being harsh, but he can still be a kind and heroic figure when he wants to be. Mattie views

In Charles Portis’ novel, True Grit, the protagonist, Mattie Ross develops new characteristics of maturation as she hunts for her father’s killer. She is very brave and mature for a fourteen year old girl, even in the wild west. Mattie goes on a journey to look for a man by the name of Tom Chaney, a murderer and robber known to many officials in the west. This man killed Mattie’s father and robbed him after a gambling problem. Mattie shows maturation throughout the novel True Grit, by showing bravery, standing up for herself and not letting Rooster and LeBoeuf hold her back, and by developing true grit as she ages through the novel.

In the beginning of the book Mattie is always being told what to do, when to wake up, how to do her chores, etc. This causes her to be unreliable as well as immature when she takes her anger out on her cat Silas. Mattie also tended to mumble things under her breath. This demonstrates to the reader that Mattie isn’t good with handling her problems. In the book on page 53 chapter 17 it saids “ I stood so quickly that the seams under my arms ripped open with a snarl...It’s not a tavern, it’s a coffeehouse”(Anderson 17). To sum up the quote Mattie gets offended and deals with it in an immature way, which leads to her standing up and yelling across the table. When the story starts to pick up Mattie finds herself in a situation causing her to become more like a mother figure. This happens when she finds Nell and cares for her. When Mattie finds Nell, Nell is in a house alone as her mother lays dead on the bed. Mattie knows that Nell doesn’t know what is happening so she takes her. Mattie even said that they need each other causing Mattie to mature in a situation like that. On page 179 chapter 23 it saids “ Nell climbed in my lap and fell asleep sucking her thumb...I worked the knots out of her hair slowly and gently”(Anderson 179). This quote has changed Mattie to being the character she was in the story. Mattie somewhat adopted Nell into her family as she has matured

In the book, Mattie Ross is a very feisty, head strong, and tough young girl. Mattie does not let her age get in the way of anything she sets off to do and is never afraid to give some lip when needed. These characteristics are shown in the novel in scenes like her first introduction with LaBoeuf. He threatens to hit her with his belt and she replies, “Put a hand on me and you will answer for it...the good people of Arkansas do not go easy on men who abuse women and children”(76) . She is a 14-year-old girl standing up for herself against a grown man, which is something most adults can struggle with. This scene is an example that gives the readers a look into who Mattie is as a person, which the Cohen brothers did a very good job of capturing.

1. In the book True Grit, Portis makes Mattie cold and narrow minded. She shows her signs of being both of these by rolling up Rooster's cigarette, as well as when she shot Tom in the arm. If she had shown any spiritual sensibility, she wouldn't have done any of that. All that Mattie is thinking of is getting revenge for her father. Mattie's religious beliefs are put to the side when she tries to find Tom.

There are a lot of good western movies out there. Many have been remade, but there is only a few that have been done right. One of these western films is True Grit. The first True Grit came out in 1969 starring John Wayne, the second following 41 years later in 2010 starring Jeff Bridges. After watching both of them there is always the question of which one is better? Of course the young people say the new one is better because they like the graphics and such way better. Although the older generation will always say they like the first movie better because they do not think a movie like that can be redone any better. I think the new one is the best because I am so used to the old westerns so I like the old one.

“You must pay for everything in this world” (Portis 40). In the screen play of True Grit based on the novel by Charles Portis, the character of Mattie Ross goes on the hero’s journey to avenge her father’s death when she hears that her father was murdered in Fort Smith. Her decision to purse the killer takes her journey into Indian Territory. Throughout her hero’s journeys she will have to go through three stages, separation, initiation, and the return. Mattie will also have to complete the steps that are within the stages.

The quote "Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow" (Emerson). No doubt has many meanings. A meaning that for sure stood out to me was. If you do stuff you’ve already accomplished and you can do it 100%, then you’ll never find out what true grit is. True grit is hard work and that’s something few people have as a title.

The story, “How to Tell a True War Story," begins with "This is True." How does that

Duckworth defines grit in the transcript as "pursuing long term goals with passion and perseverance, emphasized by stamina

Without volunteers, the world wouldn’t be able to go around. Volunteers help everyone in need throughout the world, and it takes tons of courage and strength to be an adequate volunteer. Lois Holtz has been a volunteer for many organizations, like the catholic daughters, for over 20 years. Holtz’s bravery and thoughtfulness have led her to become a true hero.

We all wish that our favorite stories would come right off the paper and into reality. Even though True Grit's was based in 1875, it's plot could very well happen in today's time era. Farmer Frank Ross heads to Fort Smith to buy some ponies. However, he is murdered by Chaney, who steals his money and flees.14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross, daughter of Frank Ross, travels with someone to bring the body of her father back home. Mattie searches for the sheriff that tells her that he has no jurisdiction where Chaney as fleed to, but recommends Rooster Cogburn who the sheriff believes is gritty enuff to retrieve and bring her fathers killer to justice. Mattie insists on accompanying the reprobate known as Cogburn. A Texas Ranger LaBoeuf also wants Chaney to be caught and doesn't want Mattie medaling with his own deal with Rooster, but eventually, they all tag together in search of Chaney. The unlikely trio finds dangers and surprises on their journey, and each has his or her "grit" tested.