Character Analysis Of Mattie Ross In The Novel 'True Grit'

The Novel True Grit would be completely different if Mattie Ross were to be displayed as a young boy instead of a miss independent, fourteen-year-old who took on the duty of catching her father's killer. The young boy would be seen as a brave teenager doing a job that should be done. People would not look down on the young boy who is leaving home and heading towards the west during winter. People would view the boy as strong and loyal to his late father. As for Mattie, many people did not agree with Mattie leaving home on her own to revenge her father's death. "People do not give it credence that a fourteen-year-old girl could leave home and go off in the wintertime to avenge her father's blood" (Portis 11). People saw Mattie as that fourteen-year-old lady who should be at home helping her

Mattie and Rooster's relationships started out on the rock. If this would have been a boy, he would more likely not have a relationship with Rooster, or at least not a close relationship. Rooster and Mattie seem to gain a relationship over the course of the journey. Rooster's relationship with Mattie went from the drunk who just happens to have the true grits Mattie needs, to being someone who really cares about Mattie. Their relationship becomes like a sibling relationship, and Rooster made sure that he kept Mattie safe. He looked after Mattie as if she was his daughter or younger sister, and if Mattie was a boy, the relationship with Rooster would not be of a sibling type. Also, since Mattie is a young lady, Rooster was probably quick to make sure someone was looking out for Mattie considering La Boeuf was not for her at the beginning. The relationship between La Boeuf and the boy would be completely different. The first encounter La Boeuf had with Mattie, there were a little bit of flirting, and if Mattie were a boy, there would not be any type of flirting going on with La