Previous
Fred Aultland
Hiram Beckman, or Hi, is a Colorado cowboy who proves to be a major mentor for Ralph. Though he makes a poor first impression on Ralph’s mother, cussing and letting Ralph ride his blue roan horse, his exceptional skills as a rider win Ralph’s immediate admiration. Hi further endears himself to Ralph by giving him the affectionate nickname “Little Britches” and later, when Ralph begins on Mr. Cooper’s ranch, Hi gifts him several homemade riding accessories, including a saddle. On the ranch, Hi helps Ralph to break and train his own blue roan colt, Sky High, and the two of them compete in and win several matched pair riding competitions. Though Ralph’s parents are initially nervous about Ralph’s participation in the competitions, his and Hi’s victory ameliorate their concerns, making them proud. Hi proves to be more than just a mere instructor to Ralph, however. When he hears of Ralph’s father’s trouble in court, Hi lends Ralph’s father his gun and teaches him to defend himself, fearing for his safety. This illustrates not only his depth of affection for Ralph, but also his keen sense of justice. While he may be crass, taking God’s name in vain and performing flashy tricks on his horse, he stands up for what believes in. In this sense, Hi is very much the archetype of the American cowboy: unruly, yet chivalrous, independent, and compassionate.
Hiram Beckman Quotes in Little Britches
The Little Britches quotes below are all either spoken by Hiram Beckman or refer to Hiram Beckman. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 3
Quotes
Before we left home, Mother had taken us into the front room and said, “I am not going to have you children grow up to be rowdies and ruffians just because we live on a farm. Ralph, if you get into a fight in this new school, I shall give you a hard thrashing when you get home. The Bible says that if your enemy smites you on one cheek, you are to turn the other.”
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7
Quotes
Then he said to me, “Didn’t have no trouble with him, did ya, Little Britches?”
We walked along a little way, then he rumpled my hair again and said, “Your father was proud of you son.” It was the first time he ever told me that, and I got a lump in my throat.
Chapter 26
Quotes
“Yep, they’re easier ways, and it would be easier for him to forget. The lessons you remember longest are the ones that hurt you the most when you learn ‘em. Do you follow what I’m tryin’ to tell you?”
I couldn’t help thinking about what Father had said—that night out on the chopping block—and I said, “I guess I know what you mean.”
Get the entire Little Britches LitChart as a printable PDF.
Hiram Beckman Quotes in Little Britches
The Little Britches quotes below are all either spoken by Hiram Beckman or refer to Hiram Beckman. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 3
Quotes
Before we left home, Mother had taken us into the front room and said, “I am not going to have you children grow up to be rowdies and ruffians just because we live on a farm. Ralph, if you get into a fight in this new school, I shall give you a hard thrashing when you get home. The Bible says that if your enemy smites you on one cheek, you are to turn the other.”
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7
Quotes
Then he said to me, “Didn’t have no trouble with him, did ya, Little Britches?”
We walked along a little way, then he rumpled my hair again and said, “Your father was proud of you son.” It was the first time he ever told me that, and I got a lump in my throat.
Chapter 26
Quotes
“Yep, they’re easier ways, and it would be easier for him to forget. The lessons you remember longest are the ones that hurt you the most when you learn ‘em. Do you follow what I’m tryin’ to tell you?”
I couldn’t help thinking about what Father had said—that night out on the chopping block—and I said, “I guess I know what you mean.”
