# III: Steve Treats explained — The Virginian

> Chapter companion for The Virginian by Owen Wister.

## What happens

The narrator observes the saloon life in Medicine Bow, reflecting on the character of the cowboys and the Virginian. A card dealer moralizes about bravery versus cowardice. The Virginian, having won at poker, decides to go to bed and orchestrates a prank on the American drummer by pretending to have a nightmare, causing a stir among the onlookers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Code of the West

The dealer's discourse on bravery versus cowardice illustrates the unwritten code of conduct among Western men, where a brave man is not considered dangerous, but a coward is unpredictable and feared.

### Masculinity and Honor

The narrator contrasts the wild, manly faces of the cowboys with city vice, praising their daring and endurance, and notes a hidden nobility beneath their rough exterior.

## Character check-ins

### The Virginian

Referred to as 'black-headed guy' by the dealer; shows strategic cunning in his card play and orchestrates a prank on the drummer.

### Trampas

Mentioned as losing money to the Virginian at poker; the Virginian gives him time to recoup his fortunes.

### Steve

Plays poker with the Virginian and Trampas; feigns indifference when the Virginian suggests going to bed.

### The Drummer

The American drummer who shares a bed with the Virginian; becomes the target of the Virginian's prank involving a fake nightmare.

### The Virginian

Demonstrates his familiarity with firearms and his habit of sleeping with his knife and gun under his pillow.

## Key lines

> He's a brave man. That's different.

The dealer explains that the Virginian is courageous, not dangerous, unlike a coward who might shoot unpredictably.

_The dealer distinguishes between bravery and dangerousness, a key point in the chapter's moralizing._

> It's the cowards that scare me.

The dealer says he fears cowards because they act irrationally and cause harm to innocent bystanders.

_This line reinforces the theme of the Code of the West._

> Don't yu' touch me.

The Virginian warns the drummer not to touch him if he has a nightmare, as it will only last a minute.

_This sets up the prank and shows the Virginian's playful yet controlled nature._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/iii-steve-treats
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_virginian_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters