Criminality Quotes in True Grit

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

The men were all chained together like fish on a string. They were mostly white men nut there were also some Indians and half-breeds and Negroes. It was awful to see but you must remember that these chained beasts were murders and robbers and train wreckers and bigamists and counterfeiters, some of the most wicked men in the world. (3.86)

Hm, talk about internal conflict. Mattie sees that these criminals are human beings in an inhumane condition, but she also sees their treatment as necessary to protect society. In the end, Mattie deals with this in her typical straightforward way: like Judge Parker, she may not like it, but it's the law.

Quote #5

The sheriff said, "I have no authority over in the Indian Nation. He is now the business of the U.S. marshals." (2.31)

What better place for a criminal to hide out.

Quote #6

"Yes, I have asked for a fugitive warrant and I expect there is a Federal John Doe warrant on him now for the mail robbery. I will inform the marshals as to the correct name." (2.35)

Because Chaney is involved in a federal crime, the federal marshals can legally get involved in tracking him.