The Red Pony

The Red Pony by author John Steinbeck is a very notable book for young adults. The central and recurring theme of the four stories told within this short novel is life and death. The stories also deal with conflict between old and new. Unlike most novels for young adults this book is different because John Steinbeck does not try to soften or hide old age and death, but instead presents these themes as they are in reality. The stories tell how the main character, Jody Tiflin, becomes more responsible as he deals with the disappointments and sadness, as well as the successes of real life.
This novel and the stories within take place on a ranch that is in the high mountains of Salinas, California in the early 1930's. The house of the Tiflin Family
In the first chapter, Jody has been given a red pony by his father to teach him responsibility. Jody becomes very attached to the pony and very protective. One day the pony gets wet in the rain, becomes very sick and dies. Jody is crushed and blames Billy Buck. The death of the pony makes Jody believe that he should not really trust anyone completely. It also teaches him the pain of loss. The second chapter tells the story of Gitano, an old man who has returned to the ranch to die where he was born. He leaves to go into the mountains and takes Easter, an old horse that is also close to death. Jody is sad to lose a friend and sad that Gitano has left to die alone. In the third chapter, Jody is given a second chance at a pony when Nellie the mare becomes pregnant and he gets to tend to her. Billy Buck, trying to win back Jody's trust, spends time with Jody and shows him how to care for Nellie. However, Billy Buck has to kill Nellie during delivery because the colt is in the wrong position. Jody seems to blame himself for Nellie's death because he wanted another colt so badly. In the final chapter Jody's grandfather comes for a visit. Jody loves to listen to his grandfather's stories of the old west; however Carl Tiflin is tired of his stories and loudly complains one morning. Jody's grandfather overhears and feels badly and is very hurt. Jody feels compassion for his Grandfather and willingly gives up doing what he would