# Desperadoism in the Flush Times explained — Roughing It > Chapter companion for Roughing It by Mark Twain. ## 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 It critiques the jury system as outdated and ineffective, using a specific murder trial as an example.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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/roughing_it_se/chapters/xlviii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/roughing_it_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/roughing_it_se/chapters