Author: Emily Doyle

John Grady, arrives back at Don Hector’s ranch and is welcomed by Antonio. His old friends feed him and gives him shelter, however after a day or two John Grady visits the grandmother who own the ranch and is related to his great love, Alejandra. The grandmother, Alfonsa welcomes John Grady into the kitchen of her home and offers him food. She then begins to relay the message that John Grady may never seen Alejandra again, due to the fact Alfonsa is whom bailed him out of jail. The deal between Alejandra and Alfonsa was that the grandmother would bail John Grady out if Alejandra never spoke to John Grady again. John Grady is disappointment in the way Alfonsa has reacted, because he thought she would have a different view on the relationship based on her background. However, Alfonsa then goes on to tell John Grady her views of the world and the history of her childhood and life. When Alfonsa finishes talking and John Grady makes his plea against her, she is still not listening. However she does offer him a horse and food for his travels away from the ranch. 

The next day, John Grady picks a horse out of the stable and says his goodbye to his friends on the ranch before he takes the open road. While John Gready is traveling he comes across a river and rests for a little while. While he is eating his lunch, children join him. These children asks John Grady questions about his life and give him advice on how to win Alejandra back. After this small interaction with the children John Grady finds a place to stay for the night. When he wakes up the next morning he calls the school that Alejandra attends. Alejandra agreed to meet John Grady. When the two meet up in Torreón, they grab lunch and John grady tells his story about everything that has happened to him. When he finishes talking about his time in jail, talking about the experience that led him to jail, and everything in between. ALejandra begin to tell John Grady that she was the one who told her father that they were “lovers.” Which led him to instead of killing John Grady to call the cops on him. 

The two spent that day and night together, but in the end John Grady was not able to convince Alejandra to run away with him. She apologizes and he apologizes, but she continues gets back on the train and continues her journey.

Chapter six begins with the Pledge of Allegiance and states an argument how the words “under God” should not be presented. Having this phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance is a violation of the separation between church and state. However, the main influence of this phrase is that fact that the United States growth is in constitute towards the Christion religion. 

Huntington speaks about the fact that the Pledge of Allegiance argument was taken to court. He says, “The court agreed that the words ‘under God’ sent ‘a message to unbelievers that they are outsiders, not full members of the political community.’…atheists are ‘outsiders’ in the American community. As unbelievers, they do not have to recite the Pledge or to engage in any religiously tainted practice of which they disapprove…however, do not have the right to impose their atheism on all those Americans whose beliefs now and historically have defined America as a religious nation” (Huntington 82). Overall, America was built on Christian faith, opinions and views have been created because of this religion, which Americans are very prominent about. Even though America is built on this view, does not mean other religions are turned away and neglected, they are equally accepted to an extent. The Pledge of Allegiance is more than just these two words, “under God.” It is a symbol of words that brings our country together and gains respect for those who have fought in the past and those who are fighting for our safety today. 

Huntington’s quote reminds me of when President Trump was elected. At this time I was a junior in high school. Every morning, my school would say the Pledge of Allegiance and prayers, however the very next morning after elections a girl in my grade sat during the Pledge of Allegiance rather than stand. Of course this created drama within the school. Agreeing with Huntington’s opinion, if you view this girl as an atheists then she should not impose her views on those around her. There is a huge significance in defending your opinions, however disrespecting America as a whole is not the way to do it. This correlates with the atheists (along with other religions) wanting to change America’s history altogether by getting rid of the words “under God.” In the end, America historically is a religion nation and will always be documented as one. You are free to practice whatever religion or no religion, however you should still respect America’s history.