In this section of All the Pretty Horses we start to see the first instances of intense and serious conflict. After Blevins decides to hide from the impending storm due to a strong superstition he holds about lightning he ends up losing his horse. When John Grady and Rawlin find him they continue south but as they enter the village they discover Belvins horse which has already been claimed by someone else. After this discovery there is a little bit of internal conflict as they discuss attempting to take back Blevins horse. In the end they decide to attempt to take back the horse which results in everyone waking up and chasing the three boys away. Blevin is separated from Grady and Rawlin during this chase. This set of events shows us one of the first real intense moments of conflict and helps to exemplify some of the values that the frontier typically consists of. The journey the boys have had down to Mexico so far has been relatively peaceful. This attempt at getting back stolen property and running into trouble represents some of the dangers of the frontier. Grady and Rawlin both end up leaving Blevin in order to escape their pursuers. This encounter with conflict helps to solidify the value of individualism into the narrative being that even though Blevin is somewhat of a friend to the others at this point, they still end up leaving him after they are separated during the chase. The values of the typical frontier and the strong sense of individualism are both enforced through this specific conflict.
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One reply on “All the Pretty Horses”
This blog post connects well with our discussion in class today about the long narrative of John Grady, Rawlins and Blevin’s adventure trying to get back Blevin’s stolen horse. I found the sense of adventure entertaining to read and feel as though, as you said, the action and conflict was a good representation of “values of the typical frontier”. McCarthy’s use of passion and spirit in his language, like when he writes “He held the horse’s face against his chest and he could feel along his inner thighs the blood pumping through the arteries and he could smell the fear and he cupped his hand over the horse’s eyes…” (103) sets the tone for the intense scene ahead.