MovieChat Forums > The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) Discussion > Grandma Sarah

Grandma Sarah

posted 11 years ago by Gaslight1888
6 replies | jump to latest

Okay, some thoughts about the old hag, Grandma Sarah in The Outlaw Josey Wales...

In the general store scene, when Josey Wales goes to pick up supplies, we see Grandma Sarah declaring to the store owner and various customers how she is a Jayhawker - Now as I am from the UK, am I to understand that the Jayhawker's were anti-slavery and part of the Union? As they are in Texas - Texas being a Confederate state, wouldn't she have been looking for trouble by coming out with something like that? Next she turns her nose up at the 'Hoosier' ...

You would then think that the old hag would have calmed down a little, following the ambush on her and her family by those Comanchero's. NO SHE DID NOT! After they find her son's cabin in the wilderness, she persistently complains. I.e., when describing the clothes she has to wear, she retorts something like 'A hogs britches has been in these!" or something to that effect.

To be honest, she annoyed me throughout the film. Although, I do have to give her credit for when she courageously stated that she could load shot and powder into the pistols.

[–] neo71665 11 years ago

The war wasn't only about slavery. It was the south sick of being given table scraps and forced to jump hoops by the north. Sadly then and even today you have racist idiots that can only focus on that part.

Just because one lived in the south didn't mean they had or agreed with haveing slaves.

[–] Gaslight1888 11 years ago

I understood that bit - I was speaking more along the lines of the customers at the grocery store who were telling her about the "nice folk" around. My apologies, I did not realize you were so sensitive about your countries history ...

I was hoping for more of an explanation on the part of Grandma Sarah's snobby character.

That's a fine lookin' fricassee, ma'am

[–] rockcairn69 11 years ago

I think her character was written to just be a cantankerous old woman, headstrong and opinionated no matter what the circumstance. She even says at one point "...and treading lightly isn't my way..." or something like that.

That scene in the trading post does help to highlight the animosity different states had for each other. And not just in a north and south or slavery vs anti-slavery way, but a lot of it was because of competition with their neighboring states for natural resources and economic gain.

Hopefully, the only thing to come out of all that now is a bunch of college sport's teams silly nicknames...

"Go back to your oar, Forty-One."

[–] Zuider_Zee 10 years ago

I'm like you in that I started off being irritated by her (and wouldn't have minded someone popping her in the lips) but I liked her a lot by the end of the film. I have to keep in mind that she had been through quite a bit with the war, the journey, the deaths and the waylaying so I have to forgive her for being a bit like a stone in my shoe.

[–] chilone 10 years ago

I thought that she definitely redeemed herself by proclaiming that the farm belonged to all of them.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

[–] RaimeyD 10 years ago

"Would you rather be with the Comancheros granny?"

Sheepishly..."No"...

She knew the story and acted accordingly.