I just finished reading my first Louis L'Amour! I have to say I was super impressed with Bendigo Shafter. I read it expecting a wild west story, full of gun-slinging and bravado, and it didn't disappoint in that regard, but I was extremely surprised by the depth and sincerity in this book.
Bendigo Shafter is chock full of educational genius for mentors and mentees alike! We follow Bendigo as he "comes of age" growing from a boy to man who is good and strong and true on the American frontier. My pen and highlighter were speeding along on hyper-drive, trying to record every spec of wisdom. There is SO MUCH to ponder and discuss in this book; I'm a little overwhelmed by it all. I'm glad I marked up my copy so I can learn and re-learn, and think about how I can help my little boy grow into a man that is morally good, who is strong and courageous in the face of adversity, and who is humble and true in all things. This is a must read for growing boys and their mentors.
And did Bendigo ever have mentors! He had his father, his brother Cain, Morrell, Ethan, Uruwishi, and other men he respected and looked to for advice and guidance, but I was particularly struck by Mrs. Ruth Macken. This young widow takes Bendigo under her wing as he's thirsting for knowledge and quietly guides him to seek learning from the masters, to discuss the classics, and encourages him to think and ponder and to come to his own conclusions about life and self.
- "Ruth Macken knew of my longing for knowledge, of my longing for a larger brighter world somewhere in the distance. She was a woman to whom a boy might talk of things dreamed. There was understanding in her, and sympathy. Also, I thought, there was a longing in her for the same things" (25). Like Ruth, I want the empathy to see into the hearts of my boys and be understanding and safe to "talk of things dreamed". I love that she has a "longing in her for the same things," that she longed to continue reading and learning, and to see the world and her circumstances change for the better.
- I appreciate her strong beliefs on education. "Of course we must have a school, but the building is less important than the teacher. It is the teacher who makes the school, no matter how magnificent the building. A school is wherever a man can learn, Mr. Shafter, do not forget that" (25). I agree with her, that one can learn anywhere and everywhere. It doesn't matter how big and grand the building, the technology, or funding for a school is. The teacher's ability to mentor and continue learning, (and just as importantly) the learner's desire and diligence matter most. You can put them in an empty horse stall to discuss a few good books and the learning can be marvelous. Now, I believe establishing safe environments conducive to learning is important, but it doesn't matter whether that environment is a private home or a state-of-the-art classroom so long as the mentor is able and the student is willing and ready to learn.
- I love how Ruth helps Ben come face to face with greatness. " I believe you will enjoy the book, Mr. Shafter, and you will enjoy meeting Mr. Thoreau. "He's here?" I was surprised. "In the book." She smiled at me... "In that trunk I have some of the greatest minds in the world, ready to talk to me or teach me whenever I am prepared to listen" (58). She hands Ben books she's read and reread and loved, and she and Morrell discuss them together with Ben and learn from one another. Pondering literature alone and group discussion are key to shaping Bendigo's future. I love that as Ben listens to the others who are better read, who have traveled and seen more, he realizes how much he has to learn and it increases his desire to continue learning and gaining life experiences.
- Ruth is strong, yet feminine. She doesn't give up or despair after she loses her husband, but moves forward with fortitude and hope and ambition as an entrepreneur on the frontier. She is a strong mother and mentor for her son and Bendigo and yet still feminine, neither too hard, nor too soft, a respected and trusted leader in the community, yet tender and caring.
- Ruth expects the very best from Ben, and she uses him as an example to guide her own son. When Ben receives instruction to build Ruth's house she instructs her son, "You will help Mr. Shafter and learn from him. It is not every man who can build a house." And Ben thinks, "Ruth Macken had a way of making a man feel large in his tracks, so what could I do but better than my best?" (5).
- Ruth knows how to lift a man and make him feel special. "When he's your age I hope he is the man you are." And Ben writes, "Her words stayed with me, and even with the cold and blowing snow I felt strangely warm. Ruth Macken had a way of saying the right words when they were needed" (44).
At the end of the book Bendigo draws the conclusion himself, "Ruth Macken was important to me. Not in any romantic sense, and not simply for the books she had loaned me or the casual way she had guided me in many of the social graces. Ruth Macken may have never given a thought to instructing me, but she had set a standard of womanhood against which every woman I later was to know would be unconsciously measured. She was quietly beautiful, moving with an easy grace and confidence. She was tolerant, understanding, and intelligent, a good listener ready with apt comment; she understood my shyness and my eagerness to learn and overlooked my occasional clumsiness. (299-300).
There is a level of patience and love that has to be present to "overlook clumsiness" in boys which is part of what makes a woman safe to confide in and talk to, that, coupled with the ability to love and nurture. I appreciate this role this kind and strong young widow had on Bendigo's life. It is easy to read Bendigo Shafter and say, "I want my son to grow up to be a man like that!" Who wouldn't? He's awesome. There were many influences in his life,
"I want my son to grow up with a woman like that. And, oh! I want that woman to be me."
Way to go Mr. L'Amour in creating this strong female mentor character in Ruth to help shape an amazingly strong, good and true young man. I hope I do as well to inspire greatness in my young boy. I think I see more L'Amour books in my reading future!
