Pale Horse Pale Rider Essay

Abby Borofsky 4/22/24 Dr. Dagold English H, P 3 Hidden Fear The novella “Pale Horse, Pale Rider” by Katherine Anne Porter, takes place in Denver Colorado, during World War I. The war at this time negatively affects society and distances society from each other as a whole. Everyone is pressured to support the war and have the same ideologies involving war. Throughout the novella it becomes obvious that not everyone shares the same opinions about war, while some characters support the war some fear its repercussions. The passage on pages 176-177 illuminates the facet of patriotism and how it conceals fears of mortality and free expression throughout the novella. The passage addresses how the escalating patriotism foreshadows Miranda's fear of

In reality, they all held different opinions that were concealed by societal wartime expectations and pressures. The backdrop in the theater during one of Miranda's dates with Adam symbolizes the lack of true respect for patriotic symbols and ideals in Pale Horse Pale Rider, portraying an American flag improperly displayed, reflecting society's exploitation of national pride during wartime. During one of Miranda's dates with Adam, they go to the theater where the backdrop is “covered with an American flag improperly and disrespectfully exposed,” it is “nailed at each upper corner, gathered in the middle and nailed again, sagging dustily” (Pg 174). The backdrop represents the setting for Pale Horse Pale Rider, an American flag that was “ improperly and disrespectfully exposed,” to the crowd; being society (Pg 174). The set represents the degradation of patriotic symbols and ideals during this period, and how people are exploiting patriotic pressures with symbols of national pride. An example of this is the salesman both at the theater and previously at Miranda's office trying to sell war bonds by questioning people's patriotism and support of the men fighting in the