Essay Questions

How is Mattie Ross breaking stereotypes of women from the era of the novel?

In the 19th century, women were often simply housewives confined to chores around the house and bearing and caring for children. Mattie Ross breaks these stereotypes by first traveling alone to finish her father's business and exact revenge on Tom Chaney. Colonel Stone, who sold the ponies, underestimates Mattie's negotiating skills and ends up losing a large sum of money to her. Rooster and LaBoeuf both couldn't believe they were going to bring Mattie on the hunt for Tom Chaney, but she proves herself to them quickly. Later on in her life, Mattie also breaks another stereotype by not getting married and supporting herself with a job in the banking industry.

How do competition and jealousy influence the relationship between LaBoeuf and Rooster?

LaBoeuf and Rooster are both competing for the approval of Mattie. Whenever one gets more attention or praise, the other becomes jealous to some extent. For example, when Mattie was bandaging LaBoeuf's wound after the shootout with Lucky Ned Pepper's gang, Rooster told Mattie to stop helping LaBoeuf and cook some food. The competition started when Rooster used his revolver to stop LaBoeuf from hurting Mattie. It continues throughout the search for Tom Chaney.

Why does the justice system work in Arkansas? How does Judge Parker influence the law in the western frontier?

In Arkansas and much of the western frontier, the justice system only applies to those who have not avoided the law. Once one escapes to the Indian Territory to hide from law enforcement, that person is labeled an outlaw often with a bounty. Outlaws do not have rights and are not protected by the law. Judge Parker is known as a hanging judge because he often sentences criminals to the death penalty rather than lesser punishments like jail time. The primary method of executing criminals was hanging them. Judge Parker inspires fear in outlaws because they know they will be hung if caught.

Why does Mattie Ross search for Rooster and LaBoeuf after many years?

During the years after her adventure with Rooster and LaBoeuf, she became a banker who never had a husband or many friends. Mattie probably looked back nostalgically seeking to reconnect with her companions and trying to bring back the memories of the excitement. Mattie's life had been relatively boring, and she was looking for some sense of excitement. She may also have wanted to check where her past friends are and what they are doing for a living.