Part 1:
The novel, “All the Pretty Horses” by Cormac McCarthy starts out by introducing the reader to John Grady, a 16 year old boy who is mourning the loss of his grandfather. With the recent death of his grandfather, john feels compelled to cut all ties to his parent’s bankrupt ranch and sets out on a journey to begin his adult life with his best friend Lacey Rawlins. Before crossing a river they begin to feel as if they’re being followed and decide to set up a stakeout to ambush their follower. Sure enough the friends meet Blevins, a 13 year old boy that reeks of trouble.
After crossing a river with their new companion the trio sets off to Mexico leaving their troubles behind. However, it seems as though trouble will always find them. The two friends get separated from Blevins when he loses his horse and ends up killing the man who “stole it.” John and Rawlins then leave and find work at a ranch where John loses his heart to his boss’ daughter, Alejandra. Living a seemingly perfect life, trouble once again finds John Grady. Corrupt officers tie John and Rawlins to Blevins’ murder and imprison all three.
Once in prison they realize how different things are in Mexico. Continuously battling for their lives John and Rawlins finally escape when they are bailed out by Alfonsa, Alejandra’s great aunt. The two part ways each with home as their destination but John still has a few stops to make. All his detours are in an effort to win Alejandra over, find answers, and seek vengeance for his fallen comrade Blevins.
Part 2:
The main theme of the story that the novel addresses is the loss of innocence that comes along with the coming of age. Cormac McCarthy often addresses these topics as seen in his other novel, “The Road.” While most his books address denying the human instinct this one addresses the coming of age because in no other time is one most compelled to find oneself and lose innocence due to human instinct.
Part 3:
The protagonist in the novel is John Grady. Readers can find John to be quite flat but have a dynamic life experience. His image never changes. Throughout the book he maintains the image of a strong –willed prideful desperado. However, because of his experiences John learns much more about life and changes his personality just enough to be noticed.
The novel, “All the Pretty Horses” by Cormac McCarthy starts out by introducing the reader to John Grady, a 16 year old boy who is mourning the loss of his grandfather. With the recent death of his grandfather, john feels compelled to cut all ties to his parent’s bankrupt ranch and sets out on a journey to begin his adult life with his best friend Lacey Rawlins. Before crossing a river they begin to feel as if they’re being followed and decide to set up a stakeout to ambush their follower. Sure enough the friends meet Blevins, a 13 year old boy that reeks of trouble.
After crossing a river with their new companion the trio sets off to Mexico leaving their troubles behind. However, it seems as though trouble will always find them. The two friends get separated from Blevins when he loses his horse and ends up killing the man who “stole it.” John and Rawlins then leave and find work at a ranch where John loses his heart to his boss’ daughter, Alejandra. Living a seemingly perfect life, trouble once again finds John Grady. Corrupt officers tie John and Rawlins to Blevins’ murder and imprison all three.
Once in prison they realize how different things are in Mexico. Continuously battling for their lives John and Rawlins finally escape when they are bailed out by Alfonsa, Alejandra’s great aunt. The two part ways each with home as their destination but John still has a few stops to make. All his detours are in an effort to win Alejandra over, find answers, and seek vengeance for his fallen comrade Blevins.
Part 2:
The main theme of the story that the novel addresses is the loss of innocence that comes along with the coming of age. Cormac McCarthy often addresses these topics as seen in his other novel, “The Road.” While most his books address denying the human instinct this one addresses the coming of age because in no other time is one most compelled to find oneself and lose innocence due to human instinct.
Part 3:
The protagonist in the novel is John Grady. Readers can find John to be quite flat but have a dynamic life experience. His image never changes. Throughout the book he maintains the image of a strong –willed prideful desperado. However, because of his experiences John learns much more about life and changes his personality just enough to be noticed.
Part 4:
In the novel water comes to represent John’s loss of innocence. Any body of water will be described in great depth to foreshadow John’s next action. Water appears when they first cross the river and over the threshold of no turning back. Water can be found again when John loses his virginity after swimming nude in a lake with Alejandra. Rain also appears when John loses Alejandra and sets out on his trek home. Often water or rain would represent his loss of innocence and realization to the harshness of life.
Part 5:
I chose this book merely because it was written by Cormac McCarthy. After reading, “The Road” also by Cormac McCarthy I often found myself lost in the worlds he created. His uncanny ability to design a character that spoke and acted seamlessly realistic has drawn me back to his works.
In the novel water comes to represent John’s loss of innocence. Any body of water will be described in great depth to foreshadow John’s next action. Water appears when they first cross the river and over the threshold of no turning back. Water can be found again when John loses his virginity after swimming nude in a lake with Alejandra. Rain also appears when John loses Alejandra and sets out on his trek home. Often water or rain would represent his loss of innocence and realization to the harshness of life.
Part 5:
I chose this book merely because it was written by Cormac McCarthy. After reading, “The Road” also by Cormac McCarthy I often found myself lost in the worlds he created. His uncanny ability to design a character that spoke and acted seamlessly realistic has drawn me back to his works.
Part 6:
Throughout the book I often found correlation to my own life. More specifically, my relationship with my older brother. Growing up in the foster system my brother and I depended on each other, just as Rawlins and John do. Rawlins being rash, outspoken, and temperamental is a spitting image of my brother Nick. I feel I am more like John. While still outspoken I maintain my cool and am quite analytical because I cannot stand making a fool of myself.
Part 7:
The novel often addressed the topic of human instinct. More specifically, denying human instinct. No matter how much the trio tried to stay out of trouble some way or another violence and bloodshed would follow in their wake. The fact that life is unfair basically is what the novel portrays. For example, Alfonsa states to John that, “It’s not a matter of right. You must understand. It is a matter of who must say. In this matter I get to say. I am the one who gets to stay.” She disregards John and his desires because she understands this basic given aspect of life.
The novel often addressed the topic of human instinct. More specifically, denying human instinct. No matter how much the trio tried to stay out of trouble some way or another violence and bloodshed would follow in their wake. The fact that life is unfair basically is what the novel portrays. For example, Alfonsa states to John that, “It’s not a matter of right. You must understand. It is a matter of who must say. In this matter I get to say. I am the one who gets to stay.” She disregards John and his desires because she understands this basic given aspect of life.
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