A biblical scene unfolds in Cormac McCarthy’s All The Pretty Horses as “birds of gold” fly off into the sunrise at the sound of the ranch’s newest stallion. The scene beginning with “He’d ride clear to the upper end” up until “eyes where the world burned” speaks volumes (128). The passage develops John Grady’s complicated understanding of fate and religion, two thematic topics throughout the book, as his almost God-like connection with the stallion gives him a sense of control and purpose in life. John Grady speaks Spanish to the stallion in almost biblical phrases, establishing himself as its one and only commander. He tells the horse that “without the charity of these hands [it] has nothing. No food, no water, no children” (128). Yet at the …show more content…
His experience with the stallion shows the young cowboy that he can have control over certain aspects of his life, even as he recognizes that he doesn’t have power over everything. John Grady believes that there is a god who “put horses on earth to work cattle,” but he does not follow a structured faith (127). Demonstrated by the many conversations he has with Rawlins, he is starting to explore his religious viewpoints and ask more faith-related questions. The passage reveals how John Grady is learning about the differences between God’s will and fate while also establishing his viewpoints on the topic. Ever since crossing the border into Mexico and starting a new life, he has been spending time with himself and exploring his true identity as an individual. His understanding of what is outside of his control is just another step in his coming-of-age story. At the same time, the passage demonstrates how John Grady is exploring his relationship with religion as well. As he rides the stallion, he can feel “the vaulting of the ribs,” “the darkly meated heart pumped,” and “the blood pulsed and the bowels shifted”