John Grady Cole is a young man, around the age of sixteen. He grew up on his family owned farm and resembles a true western boy. This true western boy has a love for horses and independence. When his family farm is coming to an end, John Grady needed to continue his love for the ranch life. With these little actions you can comprise that John has many values. These values include, responsibility, loyalty, and skill (possibly honor). These values do line up with the Anglo Protestant culture in a similar way the Anglo-Saxons believed in loyalty with their sect and within their families, that one can not leave and have a different faith. These people have the responsibility to choose their the right path in life, which is following the Anglo-Saxons values : honor and be loyal to their God. The Anglo-Saxon’s believed in independence, however it was formed and given when they chose the right path toward God. These values are still consistent in American culture today. However they are identified differently. The values, independence, responsibility, loyalty, skill, and honor are showcased differently in each person, but are relevant.
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4 replies on “John Grady Cole: Values”
It’s an interesting connection paralleling the Anglo Protestant culture and John Grady Cole’s. After analyzing your parallel about values, it’s made me think about how they’re also connected through freedom. The Anglo Protestants were able to come to America and seek freedom with their own faith and religion, while John Grady Cole was able to seek freedom through the detachment from the ranch and the connection with his journey on his horse. 16 years old is an age of transitioning, allowing for more privileges and opportunities, just like the Anglo Protestants had arriving to America. Both connections represent how influential the novel really is, providing parallels to a very important culture that is the foundation of the nation today.
This is certainly an interesting comparison between the similarities of the Anglo Protestant Culture and John Grady Cole. More specifically, I agree with you and found the part where you described the similar values shared between the two very interesting. Also, the part about independence was certainly true as you do a good job explaining its relevance today. Independence is clear demonstrated with John Grady Cole through multiple examples, especially considering he is just 16 years old.
I like your comparison between John Grady Cole’s beliefs and values and those of Anglo Protestant culture. I agree that the values line up well, and I find it interesting how you said that the values are showcased differently amongst people.
I find it very interesting as you conclude that the many values pertained John Grady Cole, including that of responsibility, loyalty, and skill (possibly honor) line up with the Anglo-Protestant culture. Although, I do question how family loyalty would be considered the greatest value to John Grady Cole. He leaves his family and travels with two other young boys after his mother decides to sell their family ranch. This does not highlight family value as they do not stick together in times of hardship and they do not work hard to stick together and stay in contact. McCarthy does, however, underscore family value and respect as John Grady Cole finds value in carrying his family’s name as he is the last male alive with it, which does promote the value of loyalty as one of John Grady Coles core values. Therefore, I conclude that families possibly do not feel the need to stick together physically in one state or city, etcetera, but they do value family and their family name.