Cormac Mccarthy All The Pretty Horses Analysis

Within the novel All The Pretty Horses, Cormac McCarthy attempts to associate the appeal of the Wild West in comparison to its reality. A prevalent idea that concludes the book on a slightly somber note appears in the form of John Grady’s character going into the western plains. As the narrative comes to a close, it is the diction and imagery that ultimately show how John Grady lets the story end with his departure into his life as a cowboy, having completely bended into this unique lifestyle and having lost a piece of himself along with it. As John Grady leaves his old home for the second time in the novel, the diction that Cormac McCarthy chooses is especially revealing about John Grady’s current state as a character. Throughout the novel,
Earlier in the novel, Blevins made a fire in a way similar to how the Indians did. While quickly dismissed into talk of food, the idea this simple statement conveys is the foreign idea of Indians. Both Rawlins and John Grady know little about Indians except the general appearance, which promotes a sense of unfamiliarity with this ethnic group. At the end of this novel, however, “there are Indians camped out on the western plains” (McCarthy 252) who see John Grady as he begins his departure. In this particular instance the two groups do not see each other as aliens to the land, but recognize each other’s purpose. “None of them… commented on his riding” (McCarthy 252) because at this point, John Grady was experienced and looked the part of a traditional cowboy. In the same way, John Grady ignored them, as the West had little for him anymore in regards to surprises. He had seen everything from prisons to beautiful girls to Indians. It was nothing new so John Grady had little to be in awe over. He was weathered and used to the life that frequented the land in the West. This appearance of the Indians does little more than show that John Grady is comfortable with the commonalities of Western life. He simply sees it as another part of his life that he has come to accept. With this indifference also displays John Grady’s lack of passion anymore
Ultimately, this passage shows that not only has John Grady grown, but that this is the end of the novel. By losing what made him excited about the West, the adventure, the mystery, the wildness of it all, John Grady has come to a conclusion in this part of his life. He will go on to be a cowboy or potentially return; however, his life as an inexperienced youth has come to a close as he rides off into the blood red