Importance of Character and Plot in True Grit

Answer

Importance of Character and Plot in True Grit

The development of an attractive novel is found on the integration of several aspects such as themes, plot and uniqueness of characters. Essentially, the articulation of themes to develop a sound plot is a holistic approach that utilizes characters and their actions. Notably, every narrative has the protagonist character that the novel is centered on. Through their actions in the novel which must be systematic, a narrative's flow is created which attracts the reader and conveys the intended message. This paper, therefore, analyses Charles Portis’ novel True Grit with regards to various characters that drive the novel’s plot as well as an assortment of themes. Critical to note is that the novel makes use of main characters to bring out an array of themes from vengeance and justice to religion and judgment. This novel is a clear definition of the integration of characters to detail the plot. Key characters included in the analysis include Martie Ross, Rooster, LeBoeuf and Tom Chaney. Although True Grit's plot is found on vengeance and seeking justice by the protagonist character Martie Ross for the murder of her father, the use of character to establish these themes as well as several others such as religion, and judgment is profound.

Plot and Summary

True Grit is centered on the main character Martie Ross, a 14-year-old female and her quest for justice regarding her father's murder. In particular, her perception of justice regardless of the authorities is to take the life of the murderer herself. We are introduced to the main drive of her father's death, Tom Chaney, as he traded with the ponies. Martie learns about this, and her anger and rage result in her main mission of vengeance (Gassman 2). Throughout the narrative, she constantly reminds herself of her main mission, avenging her father. Ross states "I would not rest easy until that Louisiana cur was roasting and screaming in hell" (Portis19). Evidently, she is vowing to go beyond any extreme to ensure justice is served for the murder. Notably, Justice in her words is the death of Tom Chaney. To achieve this, she is assisted by Rooster and LeBouef, in tracking and killing Tom. Essentially, Rooster is an experienced criminal tracker as a U.S Marshal and employs his special skills to assist Mattie. LaBoeuf also assists in the hunt, and the rest of the novel is characterized by the journey of these three, their encounters with the minor characters until Martie finally achieves her main goal of killing Tom using a shotgun. Although she is happy, the ending of the novel reflects on her loneliness in a broad context as she has no family of her own beside her aged mother. Through Martie, Rooster, and LaBoeuf, the plot and key themes can be analyzed.

Integration of Characters and Themes in the Plot

Through her focus on finding her father's murderer, one may find it challenging to define Martie as a hero or vigilante who believes in justice and vengeance. Martie Ross as the protagonist character shapes the structure of the narrative as the plot is based on her persistence quest for justice (Fish 30). Justice, according to her, is an eye for an eye model for her father’s murderer. Apparently, Martie's vengeance conflicts a reader's perception of whether she is a vigilante who does not care about anything else besides killing Tom Chaney. She, for instance, states "The important thing was not to lose the sight of my object, and that was to get Tom Chaney" (Portis 250). She is keen to note that she would not let anything deter her from the main objective of getting justice. In any case, the authorities ought to do their work and convict Chaney as a serial killer unlike what happens in the narrative when Martie kills Tom herself. However, Martie almost loses her life while chasing for unnecessary aspect and ruins the hope of leading a normal life as a married woman besides her success in banking.

The distinction between justice and revenge as primary themes in True Grit are found on Martie Ross's actions. Vengeance and justice as the main themes are characterized by the main question of whether Tom Chaney will die at the hands of Martie or by the hangman's noose. Apparently, Martie believes in justice as reflected when she hires Rooster Cogburn (Fletcher 238). As depicted from the narrative, Rooster is fearless, pitiless and a tough man. Accordingly, Martie considers him as one who would not plant evidence and is straight since he cannot abuse a prisoner (Portis37). With these being among the reasons for hiring Rooster, Martie's perception of justice does not consider whether the prisoner is brought in dead or alive. Martie's perception of justice is brought out clearly when she considers pulling the trigger as the lead ball of justice (Portis241). This implies that Martie's perception of justice is death which is also her idea of vengeance. To achieve her goal, it comes at a cost which includes the loss of life and injuries as manifested in the death of Tom and Martie losing her arm respectively.

Martie pursuit for justice is costly as she loses connection with family and finally being lonely. Through her quest for justice without consideration of important aspects of her life such as family, Martie shapes the plot of the novel as she expresses selfishness through her actions. A particular instance is when she does not attend her father's burial with the excuse of chasing Tom (Duckworth, Angela and Lauren 1). To some extent, she is ignorant as manifested when she receives the letter by Daggett regarding being her mother's right hand, but still focuses on pursuing Tom. This portrays her will to sacrifice her life including being with her family. Apparently, she has a bright future with regards to her career as a banker and the possibilities of getting married which she does not do. She is characterized as an independent woman who is strong and can stand to any man (Gassman 1). As she works towards being independent and focus on her main goals, she ends up being miserable than anticipated. Although the narrative does not reflect Martie being regretful, the neighbor’s perception can depict this (Portis 337). She indeed succeeds being an independent lady who considers her family first. The Society, however, does not perceive this as success. Essentially, her neighbors consider her as a lonely successful woman who has not only lost her family but also one arm. Her loneliness emanates from not marrying since all her life she was busy fulfilling her main goal of avenging her father and pursuing her banking career.

Although the plot brings out the theme of religion and judgment, it is through the characters’ actions that the analysis is clear. One of the main themes the narrative reflects on is religion, which is mainly centered on Christianity. Essentially, this theme is described by Martie's actions and words as well as those of her father. Moreover, there is vast use of biblical quotes and examples. An example reflecting on religion by Martie is the election doctrine. Martie indeed believes that an individual must pay for their actions in one way or the other. Further, she believes that there is nothing free apart from God's grace (Portis 86).What Martie refers to here is that there is no justice but acting which in this case is election as the fate and destiny of everyone is sealed. Considering her father’s justice, Martie is certain that there is no other way out rather than an eye for an eye approach. Another religious aspect as mentioned in the narrative is when Martie compares her mother with Mary. She states "She was like Mary and had chosen the good part" (Portis 11).Martie herself cares and is often troubled by the daily activities, unlike her mother who is calm, serene hearted and loving. Although Martie acknowledges that Christianity does not allow vengeance, she develops a radical judgment in several instances, for example when she plots revenge against Texas Ranger after being attacked.

Through other characters such as LaBoeuf, Tom Chaney, and Lucky Ned Pepper, True Grit is profoundly understood as well as its plot and themes. While Martie is the protagonist character in the novel, she has her nemesis, Tom Chaney that also shapes the structure of the plot. Apparently, he is responsible for the death of several people including Martie’s father. His actions are responsible for the development of various themes including justice and vengeance. Critical to note is that her death is an achievement of Martie's goals. Essentially, he does not make Martie's life easy right from the beginning of the narrative to its end. He both directly and indirectly threatens Martie's life in her quest to find and kill him. Further, he takes Martie hostage when she ends up losing her arm. Through Tom Chaney, other characters are shaped including Rooster and LaBoeuf whose main role is to track him down for Martie (Lawler 1). As a result of her father’s death at Tom’s hand, Martie's repressed instincts are drawn out at various instances when she relentlessly finds Tom despite the dangers. She is also losing her anger and vows to go through every height to find him. Essentially, it is unalterable that Martie cannot trace and kill Chaney on her own. She requires assistance which she finds in Rooster and LaBeouf.

Rooster is identified as the ruthless but just individual who aids Martie in tracking Tom with the help of LaBoeuf. Throughout the narrative, Martie requires a father figure and a mentor to achieve her objective. In this regard, the mentor is Rooster who is conversant with the approach of tracking criminals. This is one of the imperative knowledge that Martie requires (Turner 356). Rooster's wisdom about life is found in his profession and experience as a U.S Marshal. The mentor aspect is reflected if we compare Martie's character through two critical figures, her father, and Rooster. Martie's father is kind hearted, trusts others and generous. On the other hand, Rooster is characterized as stubborn, defiant, loner and ornery. Indeed, when one compares these two characters, with regards to the protagonist, Martie, she comes out as independent and a loner as Rooster which explains his fatherly and mentor figure. LaBouef's role in Martie's life is a helper and attractor. He develops an intimate relationship with Martie as he offers his assistance of tracking Tom. Martie’s feelings towards LaBoeuf are reflected when she cries as he disappears completely. Certainly, the plot of the novel is shaped by the death of her father which draws Rooster and LeBoeuf in her life.

Beside's Martie's father, the plot, and themes of True Grit are reflected by other characters including her mother, lawyer and Ned Pepper. Mattie's Father shapes the narrative when he dies at the hand of Tom Chaney. He is a father in two main aspects, bringing Martie into life and shaping part of her life before his death (Shuman 367). His role as a father is conflicted by his death which alters Martie's life. Although he dies at an early stage in the novel, his presence is felt in the rest of it as the ensuing events and challenges Martie faces are directly and indirectly affiliated with his death. Another character shaping Martie's journey is Ned Pepper, who is also evil and heartless. Pepper's actions are defined by two main aspects, not dying and never getting caught.

In conclusion, True Grit reflects on the use of both characters and plot to bring out the main themes in the narrative. Based on the above discussion, it is evident that the development and structure of a narrative are found on the characters and plot. While it is important to consider the flow of the narrative, it is apparent that the characters and their actions define it as well as the main message. In True Grit, both the characters and plot define the narrative as reflected through the main character, Martie Ross’ actions which are based on tracking and killing Tom Chaney, her father's killer. To achieve this, she is assisted by two major characters, Rooster and LaBaouf. Indeed, Martie achieves her goal of finding and killing Chaney, but there are repercussions of this as she ends up being a loner, although she is successful as an independent banker.