Monday, November 12, 2012

Literary Analysis- All the Pretty Horses



General
1. The story is about a man named John Grady and his friend Rawlins. They decide that they're done with their lives now and want to become cowboys. To fit the country theme, they decide to go to Mexico. They eventually meet a boy named Belvins. Belvins gets separated from Rawlins and John and gets his horse and gun stolen from him. They try to find him, but after searching they conclude that they can not find him. They eventually come to a ranch and start to work there. John Grady seems to have a great affinity to horses and life as a cowboy. He starts to fall in love with the rancher's daughter, Alejandra. He is warned by Alejandra's great aunt to not have an affair with her, but he does not heed her warning. Alejandra's father soon finds out about the affair and turn John and Rawlins over to the police. When they get to the police station, they are convicted with being in league with Belvins, who has committed murder. Belvins is eventually executed and Rawlins gives a false confession. They  have assassins sent after them, but survive. Alejandra bribes one of the guards to let Rawlins and John go. John tries to get Alejandra to go with him back to Texas, but she says no, saying that she must stay with her family.
2. The theme of the book is that there is a loss of innocence.
3. The authors tone is that of one being omniscient. He seems indifferent to what is going on in the story.
4.Ambiguity- never sure of what was going to happen next with their criminal life.
Assumption- John Grady assumed that life would be easy as a cowboy... he was wrong.
Climax- When Rawlins and John Grady are attacked by the assassins, then released from prison.
Conflict- John  Grady battles his issues with his friend and with his love for Alejandra.
Dogmatic- Alejandra refuses to leave her family for John Grady.
Falling Action- John Grady gets back his horses and returns to Texas.
Omniscient Point of View- Narrator is all knowing.
Pacing- Story moves along quick.
Pathos- The author caters to the readers feeling by including a love story.
Purpose- to show the readers that trying to be an adult as a teenager is difficult.
Characterization
1. No, the tone and diction all stay the same as the story goes on. The tone of the novel also helps to depict that each character is described in the same way.
2.  The protagonist, John Grady, is a static, flat character. His views on life don't really seem to change by the end of the story. He doesn't seem to learn anything from his adventures in Mexico.
3. I felt like I had met a person. When I read a story, I usually feel like I have met a person, especially when the author does a great job at writing the story. Cormac McCarthy is a favorite author of mine, I always enjoy reading his books. I feel like I know John Grady, but I don't feel like I fully understand him.

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