True Grit

by

Charles Portis

The Sheriff Character Analysis

The head police officer in Fort Smith. The sheriff tells Mattie about her father’s murder and gives her Frank’s dragoon revolver. He also gives her Rooster’s name when she asks for a list of the best U.S. marshals. Although the sheriff mentions Rooster’s name, he concludes that he isn’t actually the best marshal, since he’s too mean and drinks too much. However, this description pleases Mattie, so she decides to find Rooster.

The Sheriff Quotes in True Grit

The True Grit quotes below are all either spoken by The Sheriff or refer to The Sheriff. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Revenge Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1  Quotes

Tom Chaney raised his rifle and shot him in the fore­head, killing him instantly. There was no more provocation than that and I tell it as it was told to me by the high sheriff of Sebastian County. Some people might say, well, what business was it of Frank Ross to meddle? My answer is this: he was trying to do that short devil a good turn. Chaney was a tenant and Papa felt responsibility. He was his brother’s keeper. Does that answer your question?

Related Characters: Mattie Ross (speaker), Tom Chaney (Theron Chelmsford), Frank Ross (Mattie’s Father), The Sheriff
Page Number: 16
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Sheriff Quotes in True Grit

The True Grit quotes below are all either spoken by The Sheriff or refer to The Sheriff. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Revenge Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1  Quotes

Tom Chaney raised his rifle and shot him in the fore­head, killing him instantly. There was no more provocation than that and I tell it as it was told to me by the high sheriff of Sebastian County. Some people might say, well, what business was it of Frank Ross to meddle? My answer is this: he was trying to do that short devil a good turn. Chaney was a tenant and Papa felt responsibility. He was his brother’s keeper. Does that answer your question?

Related Characters: Mattie Ross (speaker), Tom Chaney (Theron Chelmsford), Frank Ross (Mattie’s Father), The Sheriff
Page Number: 16
Explanation and Analysis: