True Grit Essay - 1285 Words

The American western frontier, still arguably existent today, has presented a standard of living and characteristics which, for a time, where all its own. Several authors of various works regarding these characteristics and the obvious border set up along the western and eastern sections have discussed their opinions of the west. In addition to these literary works by renowned authors, one rather convenient cinematic reference has also been influenced by these well-known, well-discussed practices of this American frontier. â€Å"True Grit†, a film recently remade in 2010 by the Cohen Brothers, crosses the boundaries of the west allowing all movie-goers to capture one idea of the western world. The movie, along with a few scholarly sources†¦show more content†¦The hanging before this court scene, on the other hand, proves the philosophies that, while the westerners may not have had quarrels with each other, they had plenty of violent feuds with the Native Indians a lready inhabiting the lands. In fact, most Civil War Veterans believed the Indians to be â€Å"subhuman and racially inferior to whites and therefore deserving of extermination if they could not be controlled by the white population† (Dilorenzo, 2010). The hanging scene simply depicts this hatred blatantly shown towards the Natives. Three men were going to be hanged but only two were allowed to make their final address to the ever-watchful. The two white males had their final words but as the Native man began to speak the hangman silenced him abruptly with a potato sac not allowing him the same respect given to the other men. Amazingly enough, the overall scene of the hanging was rather organized and a good view of the town square was applied to the picture of the West. Stores were set up like old strip malls lining the center of town. Owners moved from the East to search for the dream in plots of land which they were allowed to claim legally and somehow in an organize d manner (Conzen, 2006). In essence, the idea of simply claiming whatever land they wished does seem uncivilizedShow MoreRelatedThe Tale Of True Grit1396 Words   |  6 PagesSet in the American frontier in the latter half of the eighteenth century, the tale of True Grit reads like the diary of a precocious, headstrong, and mature fourteen year old girl. Mattie Ross, the main character, recruits the callous, no nonsense U.S. Marshal Rooster, Cogburn to aid her in tracking down Tom Chaney, her father’s killer. Cocky, Texas Ranger LaBoeuf, needs Cogburn to guide him through Indian Territory because he too seeks justice, as well as a monetary reward, for capturing the sameRead MoreJohn Wayne s True Grit2952 Words   |  12 PagesUnited States. One classic example of a Western feature (full length) film is True Grit (1969), which stars John Wayne as the strong, memorable protagonist, Rooster Cogburn. Although the film follows many filmic conventions regarding the formula of th e Western genre, it also defies certain conventions, thus serving as an example of a revisionist Western. These qualities also carry over into the recent remake, True Grit (2010), which contains the same plot as the original while making use of modernRead MoreWestern Vs. Noir : An Exploration Of Genre In True Grit1740 Words   |  7 PagesAustin Briggs Degener WR100 29 October 2017 Western vs. Noir: An Exploration of Genre in True Grit Even though the novel had already been adapted into a film once, in 2010, the Coen brothers decided to take a swing at their own version of Charles Portis’ classic western, True Grit. Comparatively to the book and even Henry Hathaway’s 1969 film adaptation, however, the Coens have crafted the story into their own. Mattie’s bildungsroman is more uncompromising and realistic, the relationships MattieRead MoreComponents of a Quest Novel in True Grit by Charles Portis659 Words   |  3 PagesWhat kind of components are in a quest novel? There is a quest hero, the wise old man, a helper or guide, a call, and many more. Charles Portis applies these components to many of his characters in his novel True Grit. There is stubborn, fourteen year old Mattie Ross, the quest hero, Marshal Rooster Cogburn, the wise old man, and a conceited Texas ranger named LaBoeuf, the helper/guide. Throughout this novel, they prove that they are the characters of a quest novel in many ways . A quest hero isRead MoreA Heroic Journey in True Grit by by Charles Portis Essay1278 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"The journey of the hero is about the courage to seek the depths; the image of creative rebirth; the eternal cycle of change within us†¦The hero journey is a symbol that binds †¦. (Phil Cousineau).† Mattie Ross learns this in True Grit, by Charles Portis, when she experiences the death of her father. She says, †Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Tom Chaney shot my father down in Fort Smith, Arkansas and robbed him of his life and his horses and $150 in cash money plus two California gold pieces that he carried in his trouser band(11)†Read MoreTrue Grit Based on the Novel by Charles Portis Essay1339 Words   |  6 PagesThe Journey â€Å"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 completeRead MoreCharacter is Called to be a Hero in Charles Portis novel True Grit1691 Words   |  7 Pagescreates a goal she wants to achieve and she becomes the hero of this novel because of this. She will not have a goal if her call to adventure does not occur. A quest story always contains a hero, a wise old man, and a guide. In Charles Portis novel True Grit, he demonstrates exactly that. Mattie Ross comes forth as the hero of his novel. Rooster Cogburn assists her by taking on the role of the wise old man. LaBoeuf appears in this novel as the guide. Mattie, Rooster and LaBouef all fit into the rolesRead MoreTrue Grit And Ray From Charles Portis s The Dog Of The South Show Devotion1369 Words   |  6 PagesWhen someone is devoted in life, they can most likely achieve their all time life goals. Mattie Ross from Charles Portis s True Grit and Ray from Charles Portis s The dog of the south show devotion throughout their novels: obsession showing devotion, revenge showing devotion, and bravery leading to devotion. Throughout True Grit Mattie is shown to be obsessive, which is shown through her devotion throughout the novel. That is my father. I stood there looking at him. What a waste! Tom ChaneyRead MoreWith the Help of Grit: Novel Review807 Words   |  3 Pagesmust each of us bear our own misfortunes.†-Colonel Stonehill (p.35). True Grit is a novel by Charles Portis, where we see that a young Mattie Ross goes on a manhunt with the help of one of the meanest U.S. Marshalls Rooster Cogburn, to avenge her father’s blood. The definition of â€Å"grit† is firmness of character; indomitable spirit, but in the novel you will find yourself thinking that grit can mean different things. As for me true grit is having a tough side and determination, like how the characterRead MoreComparison Of True Grit And The Outsiders1695 Words   |  7 Pagesadaptations, the film directors attempt to capture the messages that were portrayed in the book and faithfully develop each of the book ’s characters. Moreover, two certain books which were favored for their loving characters and encouraging themes are True Grit by Charles Portis and The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. While the 1968 western novel by Portis follows a young girl, who goes on an adventure in pursuit of avenging her father’s death, the 1967 novel by Hinton, categorized as young adult fiction, encompasses