The Virginian · Chapter
XVII: Scipio Moralizes explained
The Virginian falls into a deep, nine-day silence after his verbal victory over Trampas.
What happens
The Virginian falls into a deep, nine-day silence after his verbal victory over Trampas. While he continues to give routine commands during the cattle-gathering journey, he withdraws into himself. Scipio Le Moyne and Shorty speculate that the conflict with Trampas is far from over, and that the Virginian will eventually settle the score man-to-man. The narrator attempts to engage the Virginian in conversation but fails, until the Virginian saves his life by shooting a rattlesnake. Scipio's moralizing reveals his shrewd understanding of the situation and his belief that the Virginian's true reckoning with Trampas lies ahead.
Themes in this chapter
Code of the West
The Virginian's silence and Scipio's analysis highlight the unwritten rules of honor and the expectation that personal conflicts must be settled directly, without interference.
Masculinity and Honor
The Virginian's refusal to engage in conversation and his calm, watchful demeanor embody a stoic masculine ideal, while Scipio discusses the necessity of a man-to-man reckoning.
Friendship and Betrayal
The shifting loyalties of the men, who now admire the Virginian after his victory, and Trampas's sullen isolation, underscore themes of trust and betrayal within the group.
Characters to notice
- The Virginian
Falls into a nine-day silence after his verbal victory over Trampas, giving only routine commands. He remains withdrawn and uncommunicative, even as the men speculate about his intentions.
- Scipio Le Moyne
Moralizes about the Virginian's situation, arguing that the conflict with Trampas is not over and that the Virginian will eventually reckon with him. He shows shrewd insight and a protective, advisory role toward the narrator.
- Trampas
Remains sullen and isolated after being humiliated. He stays with the outfit only to collect his pay, and is seen as trusting in the partiality of the ranch foreman to protect him from the Virginian.
- Shorty
Makes a pregnant comment about the Virginian 'studying his revenge,' showing his own interpretation of the ongoing tension.
- The Drummer
Not present in this chapter.
Key passages
“The talking part of him deeply and unbrokenly slept.”
The Virginian became completely silent and uncommunicative.
Describes his withdrawal after the verbal confrontation with Trampas.
“If I was Trampas, I'd pull my freight.”
If I were Trampas, I would leave this place.
Scipio suggests Trampas should leave to avoid further conflict.
“He's sure studying his revenge.”
He is definitely planning his revenge.
Shorty's interpretation of the Virginian's silence.
“When yu' beat another man at his own game like he done to Trampas, why, yu've had all the revenge yu' can want, unless you're a hog.”
When you defeat someone at their own game, you've already gotten all the revenge you need, unless you're greedy.
Scipio argues that the Virginian's victory was sufficient revenge, but the conflict is not over.
“He's got to deal with Trampas somehow—man to man.”
He must confront Trampas directly, as one man to another.
Scipio insists that a personal reckoning is inevitable.
