Mattie’s world revolves around her conception of what true grit” is. She has an idea ingrained in her mind that grit is dead-set fearlessness. Based on this notion, she sets off to avenge her father’s death. Mattie is a cold and determined character who visualizes grit as undaunted courage, but her version is also extreme. She doesn’t back away from a fight, no matter who it is with. Mattie’s idea of true grit is hardness; the belief that no form of weakness, including emotionality, should get in the way.
When she embarks on her mission of revenge, she believes that she is the only person in the world with such determination. People do not believe that a 14-year-old girl could leave home and go off in the winter to avenge her father’s blood…” (p. 11). This quote serves as the opening line of the book, and it becomes clear to readers that Mattie regards anyone who displays fear as a coward who lacks “true grit.” However, Mattie’s youth and lack of experience make her realize that grit comes in various forms.
True grit is also visible when a person persists through something, even knowing from the start that he or she will not win. I agree with her mindset of an eye for an eye” because she lived in a time of transition where sometimes one had to take matters into their own hands for anything to happen. The country was not yet stabilized, and land territories were still chaotic for the government, as noted in the book when Tom got away. I believe her methods reflect who she is as a person. She possesses relentless stubbornness and will not stop until her goal is achieved; thus, her methods are sound.
Her religious upbringing is quite strong, as she cites several Bible passages. On page 40 of the paperback, when she watches the prison wagon unload the convicts, she makes the statement:
“They had ridden the “hoot-owl trail” and tasted the fruits of evil, and now justice had caught up with them to demand payments. You must pay for everything in this world one way or another. There is nothing free except for the Grace of God. You cannot earn that or deserve it.”
This statement is, I believe, the essence of Mattie and her view of the world. It is why she is determined to bring down Tom.
This question has forced me to dig deep into my brain to remember the story of Huckleberry Finn. I do not remember much, so I must add it to my TBR list. This question intrigues me. Without reading Huck in a long time, I have to go with Mattie as my favorite because I really liked her as the protagonist. She quickly became one of my more memorable main characters among the hundreds of books that I have read lately. I think it provides a coming-of-age jumping-off point because today, more than ever, females have a strong voice and are being heard.
In the novel, Mattie possesses a strong personality and refuses to take no for an answer. She even manages to intimidate one of the most ruthless characters of that time period. This goes against the mainstream as women were not usually given the right to be outspoken and defiant like she was at the turn of the century. In Question 4, Mattie achieves her goal. The story is a monologue told from Mattie when she is much older. She is single, missing an arm, taking care of her sick mother, and loves her money and church. Although she is a stone-faced character who doesn’t show much emotion on any level.
It is hard to determine if this is the life she wants. She mentions that she could marry, but why do it when they only want her money? The positive aspect of her demeanor is that she has no self-pity for her circumstances. Therefore, I don’t think she views her life in terms of where she wants to be or not, but rather accepts it for what it is. I don’t believe that she has changed much; in terms of outlook and behavior, she remains the same old self. She has settled into one location and takes things one day at a time like most people do. Although people talk about her situation, it does not bother her.
