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Literary Techniques In True Grit

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True Grit by Charles Portis is a novel that describes a quest seen through the eyes of woman named Mattie Ross, who recounts the journey for the retribution of her father’s death when she was a fourteen-year-old girl. Alongside her companions Marshall Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn and Texas Ranger LaBoeuf, Mattie describes the wild pursuit of the outlaw, Tom Chaney, through the Indian Territory in 1875. A Formalist approach could be taken to analyze the content of True Grit. Within the text of the novel, through the use of language and tone of the narrator, as well as through the writing style, Charles Portis defines the central theme of revenge as a “matter of honor and personal responsibility” according to Mattie Ross, and details her strict interpretation of justice and judgement (Shmoop). Combined with the symbolism and irony that is embedded into the story, Charles Portis allows the reader to grasp a better understanding of the central theme in the novel, as well as a better understanding of Mattie Ross. From the beginning of the novel, the reader is informed that Mattie seeks …show more content…

Since True Grit is written from Mattie Ross’ point of view, the reader is forced to see the situation as she does, therefore allowing the reader to side with her more often. The reader finds sympathy for Mattie Ross, as well as admiration for her bravery and dedication. First person is therefore the strongest style of writing because the reader interprets the world through the eyes of the narrator. By siding with Mattie throughout the novel, the underlying theme of revenge could be interpreted easily. Had the novel been written in a third person point of view, it would be more difficult to identify the theme of revenge because it would not have been as powerful (Hurahaw). The reader would be able to develop standpoints that are very contrasting from

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