When Western books and films are usually stereotyped as male-influenced, over the top and has a lackluster story quality, Charles Portis' "True Grit" breaks the mold by having a dominate female lead and a strong narrative structure.
Charles Portis has a lot to say under Mattie and Rooster's vibrant dialogue. To me, there's a direct contrast between both these characters. Our hero Mattie is an assertive teenager hell-bent on revenge while she follows the law everywhere she goes. On the other hand there's Rooster, the wild-card archetype which usually supplies the brawn...and no brains. While Mattie is the wise and careful character, Rooster basically acts as her sword and, specifically in the end, savior. With that said, does Portis mean the best way to achieve to one's goal is to have balance?
LaBoeuf, the Texas Ranger, made me question my previous theory. Maybe he represents that balance. For example, he had his guard up and was an ass towards the beginning, but then after all the conflict, learned to eat his pride and appreciate Mattie for her maturity and self-sufficiency and gained a right mind to help Rooster when he needed it most, just like when the roles were turned. It may be over-reaching, but for half the novel, LaBoeuf was bad, and the other good.
On another note, "True Grit" reflects greatly on the ideas of Western mythology. Classic Western tales from hundreds of years still have an effect on modern-day reality: how people act, it's popular in literally every medium and is a successful source for advertising. Usually, a story revolves around a western male, or "cowboy". They tend to be a self reliant outsider, unwilling to conform to society. Cowboys also prefer friendly intimacy with comerads over women while they live on the wild side. Some more characteristics are intelligent and experienced in conflict and combat, fit and handsome, unable to be domesticated and usually have a heavy disdain for authority.
Rooster clearly fits this hero-type...minus the handsome part. Our hero, Mattie, doesn't quite fit this cowboy role, but is more intact with the "Child Savior Myth". This myth is essentially innocence teaching experience.
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