True Grit

When reading True Grit, I feel like it really encompasses some of the aspects of that 'Wild West' culture that is often really romanticized into something that wasn't too terribly common, or may not have even existed at all. I think it also points out how a lot of American 'mythology' is violent, or has a huge sense of 'justice' and revenge in it.

I feel as though True Grit really highlights a more 'real' look into the issues of the west, with outlaws, with a sense of justice and revenge that can be pretty understandable when you look into the reasons the characters do what they do.

True Grit really highlights the more violent nature of humans, I think. It also really shows more aspects of that 'dastardly bad guy' and 'paragon good guy' (Mattie's Dad being the 'paragon' who gets killed.) that is pretty common in a lot of stories. I certainly enjoyed this book, which shows the aspects of violent and real human nature, much more than another book that tries to show the same thing, Lord of the Flies.

Mattie is a really interesting character herself, what with sticking it to the 'rules' that were set around at the time. I also really appreciate Rooster, since he's an overweight character that's missing an eye ( sort of.. ) and he's overall a good guy that doesn't have to look like some slick fancy hero. LaBoeuf is an alright character, though I'm not a fan of how much of an asshole he is, in general.

When it comes to things like the mythology aspect of the american west, I think they kind of combine some of the bits of myth together? Mattie is kind of a combination of both the American Hero/American Adam, but she's also the child hero. They combine these two things very well, but they also put bits of the elements

A pretty fun read, overall.

Prologue: Cam.

I would say that my story begins in California, near Sacramento on the northern half of the monster of a state. I grew up in a small house, with a family that was relatively happy. From a young age, I had a knack for drawing and computer programs. (Since, when I was very young, the first thing I touched on the computer was the original Diablo..) That love of computers and video games only grew as time went on, being introduced to things like the PlayStation systems, as well as the Nintendo handhelds and their home consoles, which solidified my desire to pursue Game Art as my major.

Originally, because I also loved animals so much, I wanted to become a marine biologist, or even a botanist because I love plant-life, but unfortunately math is not my forté, so I quickly gave up on that dream. I plan to, instead, work this love of marine creatures, as well as land ones and plants, into my works of art and entertainment.

So, how did I find this school? It's interesting.. I left home two years ago because of coming out to my parents with personal things-- and while they didn't kick me out of the house, it's very difficult for them to understand as they come from a heavily religious background. I ended up moving to Florida with two of my friends, one of which I'd known since high school, and he recommended this school to me. I checked it out, applied, got accepted, and started my incredible journey into the world of art college.

I don't regret coming out at all, because as a result I've found not only a great college, but I've met and made so many friends who are great and understanding here, and that I wouldn't trade anything to undo me ever meeting them! I also discovered that fishing is another hobby I enjoy, as it provides me an opportunity to get a much closer look at marine creatures, which I love.  Hooray good sequences of events!

When it comes to how I view the world, I try my best to stay positive about various circumstances, though a bit of cynical-ness and doubts, as well as anger, tend to bubble up sometimes. It's something that I've been working on for a few yers.

That's my prologue!