'Me--Smith'

"Me--Smith" by Caroline Lockhart is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows a mysterious character known as Smith, a rugged and somewhat unscrupulous man navigating the harsh realities of the American West. The narrative introduces us to a conflicted world where Smith's violent past as a killer contrasts with the emerging relationships he forges, notably with a native woman and a schoolmarm named Dora Marshall. The opening of the novel establishes Smith on a solitary journey through a barren landscape, indicating his inner turmoil and struggle with identity. As he interacts with other characters, including a helpless dude he robs and an Indian he encounters, the tension of his outlaw lifestyle is palpable. We see Smith's cunning nature and his complex feelings towards women, especially as he navigates the emotional terrain with both the Indian woman and Marshall. His duality—part brutal outlaw and part person capable of attraction and infatuation—sets the stage for his character development throughout the story. The beginning hints at Smith's quest for survival and acceptance in a world that is both foreign and familiar, leaving readers curious about the paths he will choose.