Feminist Role Model In True Grit By Charles Portis

The United States of America was founded on the principle of religious freedom. However, the American people are becoming less and less religious. According to the Religious Landscape Study, in the last seven years the number of religiously unaffiliated United States citizens has increased by nearly seven percent totaling 22.8% as of 2014 (Cooperman et al.). Fewer people are looking to religion as a source of direction. Instead, they look to the media for role models. One such role model is Mattie Ross, a fictional character created by Charles Portis in his novel True Grit. Mattie is a young woman who seeks to avenge her father’s death by murdering his killer: Tom Chaney. Although Mattie Ross’ character is synonymous with the independence …show more content…
If we study modern civilization per the broader perspective laid out by The Bible we can trace God’s influence. Right now, we are focused on contemporary feminism, but if we zoom out (with a Christian mindset), God defines feminism for us. Proverbs 31:10-26 declares, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies… [she] worketh willingly with her hands…. She reacheth forth her hands to the needy… She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness” (Authorized King James Version). In these verses, The Bible clarifies and defines the role of women as being selfless, charitable, and kind. According to the creation story in The Bible, God created Adam and promised, “I will make him [Adam] an help meet for him” (Authorized King James Version, Gen. 2.18). God made Eve for Adam as a companion, as an equal. They were meant to complement each other. Later in Genesis, the servant of Abraham is tasked with finding a righteous women for Isaac (son of Abraham) to marry. Abraham’s servant sat by a well searching for a wife for Isaac. When Rebekah (Isaac’s future wife) came to get water from the well, she also got water for Abraham’s servant and all his camels. The servant asked God, “let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master” (Authorized King James Version, Gen. 24.14). Rebekah was …show more content…
Mattie attributes her acts of revenge to acting on behalf of God. Why then is Mattie’s feminist perspective independent of this crucial overtone? Mattie is not a good role model for anyone regardless of their gender or age because she is selfish and impudent toward her God. At the beginning of the novel, Mattie gives us some incite by referencing a Bible story: Christ comes to visit Mary and Martha in their home. Martha is concerned about completing the daily chores while Mary worships Christ and washes his feet. Mattie notes, “Like Martha I have always been agitated and troubled by the cares of the day but my mother had a serene and loving heart. She was like Mary and had chosen ‘that good part’” (Portis 15). Mattie recognizes the difference but fails to see the fault in her priorities. She is so stubborn that she does not take into account that maybe “that good part” might be worth pursuing. It is obvious that Mattie has no intention of being charitable when she asserts, “I am not going down there [to the creek bed] again. If you want any more water you will have to fetch it yourself,” Rooster responds, “Everyone in party must do his job” (Portis 118). This shows the reader that Mattie is selfish and not willing to work unless it benefits her. This attitude is in stark contrast to Rebekah’s willingness to serve and do her part. The comparison between Mattie and Rebekah exhibits how Mattie’s actions