Roughing It · Chapter
Desperadoism in the Flush Times explained
The chapter describes the culture of violence and desperadoism in early Nevada mining towns, where a man's social standing was determined by the number of people he had killed.
What happens
The chapter describes the culture of violence and desperadoism in early Nevada mining towns, where a man's social standing was determined by the number of people he had killed. It critiques the jury system as outdated and ineffective, using a specific murder trial as an example. The narrator also recounts an encounter with a notorious desperado and reflects on the hierarchy of fame that placed killers above orators, governors, and capitalists.
Themes in this chapter
Violence and Desperadoism
The chapter centers on the culture of killing for reputation, the hierarchy of desperadoes, and the impunity with which murders were committed.
The Absurdity of Pretension
The narrator satirizes the social pretensions of desperadoes and the absurdity of a jury system that excludes intelligent citizens while seating ignorant and corrupt jurors.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
The narrator recounts his observations of desperado culture and a specific encounter with a notorious killer in a restaurant.
- Jack Williams
Listed among the famous desperadoes of Nevada, whose fame overshadowed that of political leaders.
- Sugarfoot Mike
Mentioned as one of the well-known desperadoes in the territory.
- Sam Brown
Named as a celebrated desperado whose reputation was greater than that of governors or capitalists.
- Mr. Baker
A good citizen murdered by a noted desperado in a cold-blooded manner, referenced in the trial example.
- Mr. Street
A prominent banker and valued citizen who was excluded from the jury due to having heard about the case.
Key passages
“The first twenty-six graves in the Virginia cemetery were occupied by murdered men.”
The initial graves in Virginia City's cemetery were all filled by victims of homicide.
Sets the tone for the chapter's focus on pervasive violence.
“The cheapest and easiest way to become an influential man and be looked up to by the community at large, was to stand behind a bar, wear a cluster-diamond pin, and sell whisky.”
The simplest path to social influence was to become a saloonkeeper, adorned with a diamond pin and selling liquor.
Highlights the inverted social values of the mining community.
“I remember one of those sorrowful farces, in Virginia, which we call a jury trial.”
I recall a tragicomic jury trial in Virginia City that exemplified the system's flaws.
Introduces the narrator's critique of the jury system.
“The jury system puts a ban upon intelligence and honesty, and a premium upon ignorance, stupidity and perjury.”
The jury system excludes intelligent and honest people while favoring the ignorant, stupid, and dishonest.
Summarizes the narrator's central argument against the jury system.