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Catch-All/Student Discussion Questions

Identity in All The Pretty Horses

John Grady Cole’s family in All The Pretty Horses is described as consisting of danger seeking, almost heroic, men. This provides a sense of identity for John Grady to live up to and grow into. It is stated that John Grady’s grandpa “was the oldest of eight boys and the only one to live past the age of twenty-five. They were drowned, shot, kicked by horses. They perished in fires. They seemed to fear only dying in bed.” Through this statement, Cormac McCarthy emphasizes the significance of masculinity in this time period. This masculinity is then sought out by John Grady as he recognizes that as he is the last man in the family carrying the family name after the death of his grandpa. The funeral of John Grady’s grandpa signifies the end of the Grady name besides himself. His identity as provided to him by his ancestors puts pressure on him to live dangerously and take risks just as the men in his family previously had.  He is influenced to take risks that reveal masculinity. They put themselves in danger as they “were drowned, shot, kicked by horses. They perished in fires.” McCarthy stating, “They seemed to only fear dying in bed,” underscores the risk-taking nature of the men of this family and possibly even the men of this time period. They take such great risks their lives were put in danger, not even allowing themselves the opportunity to die of old age, but to only die performing an act of strength and heroism.

2 replies on “Identity in All The Pretty Horses”

It is evident to me now that there is an underlying message from McCarthy with the character John Grady. McCarthy uses John Grady and his family name to show that he does not want to live a boring life. John Grady wants danger and to be challenged by his friends to prove this. This is made clear in may parts throughout the book, but the quote that you provided talking about John Grady’s grandfather, “was the oldest of eight boys and the only one to live past the age of twenty-five. They were drowned, shot, kicked by horses. They perished in fires. They seemed to fear only dying in bed.” This quote illustrates perfectly how John wants to be looked at and treated. He wants others to fear him and to be though of as a man of danger when he is around his friends. This is one of the many reasons why the youth in the mid-20th century decided to flee America and head to the rough and tough country of Mexico. Young boys wanted to prove to others and to themselves that they were capable of enduring these conditions and they went out and proved it. Because leaving the safe and secure country of America to go to the almost lawless Mexico would defiantly prove that point.

Your ideas here re definitely well supported by the text and you do a great job clarifying the Grady family mindset, one that has no fear of danger and the need to create an adventure for yourself. However, It’s curious that Grady hasn’t considered that there may be a lesson to learn from the peril of his relatives rather than to follow in there footsteps.

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