I said : "That there man has some True Grit"

In my reading of "True Grit" by Charles Portis (Or rather, listening, as I don't apparently have time for reading anymore but I can listen to audiobooks and animate at the same time) I learned a lot about what it means to be an american. Well, an american in that age anyways. But first I wanted to know, what is "grit" anyways? From the context clue in the book, I'd guess that it means toughness, manliness, or bravery perhaps. Lets google it shall we?Grit: "courage and resolve; strength of character." Okay so I was close.

This story represents america because, c'mon it doesnt get much more 'merica than an old western! There has always been a huge association between america's humble beginnings and westward expansion. Mattie also seems to represent "american ideals". She is a woman, and also a very young one, but she goes forth to avenge her fathers death without the help of any of her family. Just a couple of thugs she has hired herself. She sounds like a very brave and free spirited person, does she not? What is america's catchphrase again? Land of the... FREE and the home of the....BRAVE!
You go girl. 

On top of this already very free and brave character, what does she have? MORALS. and? AN EDUCATION. WOW.  She actually represents everything america wants to be. She is anti-drinking, smoking, losing, wimping out, being told what to do, and backing down. She loves Jesus and reading and family and guns. Doesn't get more america than that. 

True story: I have a penpal in New Zealand who visited me over the summer. He and I plus two of my more adventurous friends went on a camping trip. Kiwi's are known for being very quiet, polite, and peaceful. My friends and I are known for being adventurous, loud, and very free spirited. We would go off on hikes and every time we would yell to eachother, climb something dangerous, cuss, or run off on our own adventures he would just shake his head and say: You american girls are all just living up to your own stereotype." 

That's just it! the american stereotype is free spirited, adventurous, go getting types of girls. Just like Mattie.  MERICA!