Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What general impression did True Grit leave on you? Which characters did you like the most and least? 

2. How does True Grit fit into the Western genre? Does the text deviate from genre conventions at any point?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. How does Rooster Cogburn’s experience of living in a changing world resonate with you? 

2. At the beginning of the novel, Mattie is thrust into a position of responsibility at a young age. Have you ever been burdened with a similar challenge in unexpected circumstances? 

3. Cogburn struggles to make sense of himself in a changing world. How does this reflect broader themes of aging and the passage of time?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. At the end of True Grit, Mattie confronts Tom Chaney. How do you feel about Mattie’s quest for revenge? How is revenge different from justice?  

2. True Grit was adapted for film in 1969 and then again in 2010. What about the novel do you think resonates with audiences in different eras?