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How about the language?

Several things stand out to me - the use of formal language, with contractions only used when certain characters are speaking, the short sentences and the recitation of unadorned facts and events.

When I saw the movie (recent one) I thought the speech of the characters was a stylistic thing to make it seem "old-timey". On reading the book, however, the writing seems to be a reflection of Mattie's view about what is proper, and how a respectable woman of some education should write.

What do you think?

ozchick asked in Book Club: True Grit 9 months ago | Report
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  • Subcultureoftwo_small
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    The formal language was the first thing that stood out to me when watching the movie. Formal syntax or not, did people in Arkansas/Oklahoma of that time have such a great vocabulary?! Not just Mattie...everyone spoke like that.

    It reminded me of Raising Arizona. "And the doc went on to explain that this woman, who looked as fertile as the Tennessee Valley, could bear no young. Her insides were a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase."

    Whether or not it was period-accurate, I liked it. It just made all the humor that much more dry.

    Sacrelicious answered in Book Club: True Grit 9 months ago | Report
    2 comments by ozchick and Sacrelicious…
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  • Kali_small
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    I'm reading the book (haven't watched the movie yet) & I think the language just *is* old-timey. ?? I like your insight-- Mattie is a bit of a proud young woman. I think if she were less proper, respectable, or educated it would read differently, as it's from her perspective, but in general haven't people gotten a lot less formal over the years? Both in speech and propriety.

    Some of the phrases in the book are lots of fun and I want to remember to use them!

    mizmojo answered in Book Club: True Grit 9 months ago | Report
    2 comments by ozchick and O my captain…
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