“I had guessed wrong as to which one he was, picking out a younger and slighter man with a badge on his shirt, and I was surprised when an old one-eyed jasper that was built along the lines of Grover Cleveland went up and was sworn(45).”
The year of 1968, which was when the novel was written, was a year of demonstrations, violent protests and activism over political issues such as women’s liberation, war and racism. It was an intense period in the United States where citizens who were not considered “the elite”, such as women and African Americans, were stepping up and voicing their opinions on which rights they should have. Throughout the novel, Portis adds certain events, characters and characteristics that are relevant to the time period, having Mattie be an outspoken, intelligent woman who constantly has to prove herself because men already have a preconception of all her. He also hints at Mattie’s unpleasant feelings toward Indians, but after meeting some, he has her realize they are civilized human beings just like herself. Portis is subtly saying that prejudice and preconceptions must be overthrown, but there is no need for violence. Mattie is guilty of preconceptions herself on many occasions, such as her idea of Rooster Cogburn. Once she realizes her mistakes though, she accepts them without trouble and goes on with her life. Mattie may be a metaphor of how Portis believes the U.S should operate in politics.
check your commas and quotation marks
ReplyDeletea well reasoned discussion -- she may be -- and you may not need to go so far as to equate her metaphorical status to an opinion he holds, if that makes sense
The year of 1968, which was when the novel was written, was a year of demonstrations, violent protests and activism over political issues such as women’s liberation, war and racism. It was an intense period in the United States where citizens who were not considered the elite (such as women and African Americans) were stepping up and voicing their opinions on which rights they should have. Throughout the novel, Portis adds certain events, characters and characteristics that are relevant to the time period, having Mattie be an outspoken, intelligent woman who constantly has to prove herself because men already have a preconception of her. He also hints at Mattie’s unpleasant feelings toward Indians, but after meeting some, he has her realize they are civilized human beings just like herself. Portis is subtly saying that prejudice and preconceptions must be overthrown, but there is no need for violence. Mattie is guilty of preconceptions herself on many occasions, such as her idea of Rooster Cogburn. Once she realizes her mistakes she accepts them without trouble and goes on with her life.
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