Chapter 3-4
Vocabulary
sanguinary – ch3 — adj. ready or eager to shed blood
replevin – ch3 — n. an action for the recovery of goods or chattels wrongfully taken or detained
shoat – ch3 — n. a young, weaned pig
demijohn – ch3 — n. a large bottle having a short, narrow neck, and usually being encased in wickerwork
rowel – ch 4 — n. a small wheel with radiating points, forming the extremity of a spur
Reflection
The first time that we are introduced to Rooster Cogburn is during the trial of Odus Wharton, a murdering criminal brought to court by Cogburn. Cogburn is the sort of man that thinks he can handle any conflict with a gun. He is a tough, rough guy with an eye patch to prove it. He has been fighting all his life and has a habit of not getting along with people. So, when a fourteen-year-old little girl from Dardanelle county pops up with a mission of revenge for him to take on, he is rather confused. This little girl won’t take “no” for an answer. She insists he is the man for the job and actually bullies the tough U.S. Marshal into submission.
Mattie Ross defies any preconceptions Cogburn might have had about girls. When Rooster tries to discourage her from joining him by keeping her from fording the river, she drives her pony through the water anyway. Then as they ride through the snow for hours on end, she proves her determination again. He never hears a complaint about the hard riding and tough company. She wasn’t afraid when faced with possible death and even shot the man who killed her father. Mattie is no delicate flower nor does she want to stay at home and knit. She doesn’t do any of the typical things that young ladies of her age normally enjoy. She is very business-oriented and level-headed. These things surprise Cogburn greatly and he learns to respect her. He has probably never met a girl before that was as tough as he is.
Cogburn met his match in Mattie Ross. He never expected to find so tough a character in such an unlikely person. He forms an unique bond with her and in the end saves her life.
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