All the Pretty Horses By Cormac McCarthy

Theme: Man’s inhumanity to man—This theme implies that human beings are basically cruel to one another, capable of inflicting injury, and even killing one another. Examples: Rawlins’ behavior toward Blevins Brady’s lack of protest over Blevins’ killing Great-aunt’s treatment of John Grady Knife attacks in the prison Cruelties of Mexican authorities against the boys Killing of Blevins

Theme: Initiation of a young person—A naïve youth experiences some crisis through which he gains knowledge. Naïve: Grady is only 16 an has not been away from home before Crisis: Blevins’ being killed; cruel treatment in jail, can’t see Alejandra again and parting with her Knowledge: believes his hardship comes from his having sinned by some action or inaction; must move from childhood environment to an unknown future; being cowboy in Mexico is not an adventure in Eden;

Theme: Conformity vs. Nonconformity—Some people live by society’s rules; others march to their own drummers Nonconformity: Grady and Rawlins leave home Nonconformity: Blevins’ nonconformity so pronounced that he destroys himself Conformity: Alejandra’s great-aunt conformed to her father’s wishes and thus became an embittered old woman Both: Alejandra initially does not conform but eventually conforms to the fathers wishes.

Theme: Violence—Humans have an innate attraction to violence because they cannot live in harmony Examples Father allows the arrest of John Grady and Rawlins. The unjust imprisonment of the boys. Boys witnessing the execution of a friend. Both boys beaten by convicts and losing dignity. John Grady seeking vengeance.

Characteristics of a Coming of Age Novel John Grady, the hero, rebels against family John Grady, the hero, finds love John Grady, the hero, loses innocence because of the love involvement John Grady grows into a true hero due to the following: tried to look after Blevins, became a lover to Alejandra, proved to be a true friend to Rawlins. Becomes a complete person at the end by achieving wisdom.

Picaresque novel—The plot is an episodic journey made up of incidents that would hardly be possible for one individual in such a short time John Grady as hero is somewhat of a rascal because he barely skirts the law in much of the action. He has the companion who is not as astute as he, and the story is told in vivid detail . Picaresque novels are often satirical; however, this one is not.

Importance of the Title Horses connect the present to the past Horses connect characters to all conflicts Horses connect the human beings to nature Horses create the landscape scenes in the novel Horses enable the characters to escape danger Horses make a spiritual connection to the main character Horses used for work and pleasure in the novel Horses connect all the characters: J. Grady to his parents, his grandfather, his ancestors, Don Hector, Alejandra, Blevins, Rawlins