All the Pretty Horses
1. Struggling with the death of his grandfather, John Grady Cole runs away from home after his mother reveals her plans of selling their ranch and moving away from Texas. Making this journey with young boys by the names of Rawlins and Jimmy Blevins, they soon make their way to Mexico. During the chaos of a lightning storm, Blevins loses his horse, the main method of travel of the boys, and it is soon claimed by another in town. While plotting to steal back the horse, the other two boys become separated from Blevins, but are soon able to escape their pursuers, eventually finding work as cowboys down south. While working on the ranch, John Grady falls in love with the ranch owner's daughter, and upon finding out about this love affair, John Grady and Rawlins are turned over to the police. Blevins had returned to town during their separation to retrieve his gun, and killing multiple townspeople, was imprisoned, along with this "accomplices." Blevins is executed, while John Grady and Rawlins remain imprisoned until the great-aunt of John's lover bails them out of prison. Upon getting released, Rawlins returns to Texas, but John Grady returns to be with Alejandra. Alejandra soon decides she cannot leave her family to be with John Grady, leaving him heartbroken. Determined to reclaim his horse before returning to Texas, John Grady risks his life, but is over to overcome the opposition, riding into the setting sun at the end of the novel.
2. All the Pretty Horses is largely a coming-of-age novel. The boys rebel against their families, running away from home. John Grady unexpectedly finds love, and is immediately infatuated with Alejandra. The characters are unsure of who the are and what their course in life will be. However, by the end of the novel John Grady appears to be a hero, taking on the role of being a father to Blevins, understanding how to love Alejandra, and becoming a true friend to Rawlins.
3. The tone of the novel is almost somber, as the reality of the West is truly revealed. John Grady ran away hoping to find freedom in Mexico. However, once there, he is repeatedly faced with tragedy upon tragedy.
2. All the Pretty Horses is largely a coming-of-age novel. The boys rebel against their families, running away from home. John Grady unexpectedly finds love, and is immediately infatuated with Alejandra. The characters are unsure of who the are and what their course in life will be. However, by the end of the novel John Grady appears to be a hero, taking on the role of being a father to Blevins, understanding how to love Alejandra, and becoming a true friend to Rawlins.
3. The tone of the novel is almost somber, as the reality of the West is truly revealed. John Grady ran away hoping to find freedom in Mexico. However, once there, he is repeatedly faced with tragedy upon tragedy.
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