Dogged Underdog by Irvin S. Cobb
"Dogged Underdog" by Irvin S. Cobb is a narrative that explores themes of courage, persistence, and the moral complexities of bravery through a series of contrasting tales shared among a group of men on a judge's porch. The stories center around the experiences of a Confederate veteran and his friends, discussing the nature of heroism as they reminisce about their past. One poignant account highlights Miss Em Garrett, who embodies true courage by protecting her Confederate flag and caring for the wounded, challenging traditional notions of bravery associated with warfare.
In a contrasting narrative, Captain Shelby Woodward reflects on the futile sacrifices of soldiers during the Civil War, raising questions about whether their actions stemmed from bravery or a fear of being labeled as cowards. The story shifts to the character of Singin' Sandy Riggs, a small man who persistently confronts a local bully, Harve Allen, despite receiving repeated beatings. Riggs's unwavering determination eventually garners sympathy and respect from the townspeople, leading to a surprising resolution when Allen flees the community. Through these intertwined tales, Cobb provokes thought about the different forms of bravery and the societal perceptions that shape our understanding of what it means to be courageous.
On this Page
Dogged Underdog by Irvin S. Cobb
First published: 1916
Type of plot: Regional, frame story
Time of work: The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
Locale: Small town modeled on Paducah, Kentucky
Principal Characters:
Judge Bill Priest , one of the town eldersCaptain Shelby Woodward , a Confederate veteranMiss Em Garrett , a defiant southern womanCaptain Jasper Lawson , the oldest and best storytellerHarve Allen , the town bullySingin' Sandy Riggs , a small, weak man who challenges AllenCaptain Braxton Montjoy , a local war hero
The Story
Judge Priest and his friends are sitting on the judge's porch, talking as usual. Reminiscing about "the Big War," Captain Shelby Woodward tells two contrasting stories that lead the men to discuss courage and cowardice. In the first, Miss Em Garrett defied a Union commander by refusing to surrender her Confederate flag. For four years, she wore it under her dress while she nursed the wounded of both armies, and eventually her courage and her kindness won salutes from the Union soldiers. Then Woodward describes his brigade's futile attempts to delay General Sherman's advance. Most members of his brigade were eventually killed, and Woodward questions their real reason for continuing to fight: Were they brave, or was everyone unwilling to quit for fear of being considered a coward? Judge Priest suggests that the bravest person is someone who would like to run from trouble but faces it instead; Woodward adds that Southern women, who faced difficulties alone, probably were more courageous than the soldiers.
Captain Jasper Lawson then tells a story of frontier days, when disputes were settled by fistfights instead of gunfights. Harve Allen, who was acknowledged to be the toughest and meanest man in town, had badly beaten so many men that everyone, including the constable, was intimidated. One day he claimed to have been offended by Singin' Sandy Riggs, a small man known only for his perpetual humming. The ensuing fight was totally one-sided, and soon Riggs was so badly hurt that bystanders had to help him to his feet. Once he could stand, though, he vowed to return and continue the fight in a month.
In exactly one month, Riggs returned and renewed the fight, only to be badly beaten again. Once more, he vowed to continue the fight in a month. For the next five months, Riggs returned for additional bouts; each time he was badly hurt, and each time he repeated his vow to return. Gradually he won so much sympathy that some townspeople dared ask Allen not to beat him again.
The eighth fight was witnessed by Captain Braxton Montjoy, a local war hero and the only other man with enough courage to confront Allen. Riggs refused Montjoy's help, explaining that he intended to keep returning until he defeated Allen. This determined defiance won respect from Montjoy and perhaps also from Allen, who fought less aggressively than usual. For the first time, Riggs could pick himself up, but again he vowed to return in a month.
One month later, the townspeople were busy cleaning up flood damage, and they did not think about Riggs until he suddenly appeared. At the same time, they realized Allen was fleeing west across the river in a rowboat. Although Riggs remained in the town for the rest of his life, Allen was never seen there again. Lawson raises the question of why Allen fled from someone he had already beaten eight times. Was Allen a coward after all? The story ends with Squire Rufus Buckley's response, which, as usual, is inconclusive.