True Grit

Mattie Ross
Mattie Ross is constructed as a determined character who is seeking revenge on the man who killed her father. She tries to find who has true grit out of Cogburn and La Boeuf but in the end she is the one who has the true grit. This is shown throughout the film both when she shoots Chaney in the river and when she fights him for the gun at the top of the cliff and in the end kills him.
Rooster Cogburn
Rooster Cogburn is also presented as a protagonist. He is also constructed as a fearless character who will do almost anything to complete what he has set out to do.
Tom Chaney
Tom Chaney is constructed as the antagonist of the film. Before we even see Chaney the viewers are positioned not to like him as Mattie is after him for the death of her father. Chaney also feels like he has been hard done by and nothing goes his way.