ENH 260

Special Project 2: #5

Nathalie Echeverria

All the Pretty Horses Analysis

The core story of All the Pretty Horses consists of the character John Grady setting off
very naively to find what he feels is missing only to return more grown after his experiences. He
is nave at first because he sets of thinking he will find a perfect land to support the lifestyle he is
chasing. Upon his return, he has killed a man and lost his love which makes him mature more.
The catalyst in the movie is John Gradys grandpas death. After his death, John Gradys
mom takes possession of his grandpas ranch and decides to sell it. After talking to the lawyer,
John Grady realizes his hopes of keeping the ranch are dead and he has no control over his
moms decision to sell it. John Grady not wanting to live any other way besides the cowboy life
he did on the ranch with his grandpa decides to leave to some place he can continue to live the
cowboy life.
The big event is when John Grady decides to leave and go to Mexico. John and his friend
Lacey, one night lay outside as they talk about the cowboy life. John says his mind is made up
and he is going to Mexico regardless if he has Laceys company. Lacey then decides he will be
setting off on this adventure too. In the early morning, John says bye to his grandma. John and
Lacey get on their horses sneaking away off to Mexico. Going to Mexico is his way of reaching
his desire to live the cowboy life.
The pinch is when John Grady is in jail. One night at dinner as he sits at a table, all the
inmates get up and stand against the wall. Only one inmate is left sitting next to John Grady, he
attempts to stab John but John Grady defends himself. John ends up killing his attacker. Here
John Grady has crossed a line where he cannot return from. He decided to fight for himself like a
brave cowboy he strives to be.
The crisis is when John and Lacey are released from jail. Lacey goes back home and John
goes back to the ranch. He talks to Alejandras aunt and gets her phone number. Then he meets
up with Alejandra and spends the night with her in Zacatecas. The next day, Alejandra breaks it
to him she cannot be with him because she has to keep her promise for the little honor she still
has after bringing shame to herself. At this point, John Grady has lost everything and no longer is
in paradise. His friend is not around and he has just lost Alejandra. His horse, one of his most
valuable possessions was taken by the Mexican officer. He is in Mexico with empty hands and
lonely.
The showdown occurs when John Grady goes back for his horse and the horses that
belonged to Lacey and Blevins. He has the officer at gunpoint, threaten to shoot him if he does
not help him get the horses back. As that is happening, the officer alerts the other men with a
scream warning them John is around. John and the men shoot at each other for awhile and John
is shot on his thigh. John manages to get take the officer as a hostage and leave with all three
horses. Here John is facing his enemy, the officer, who killed Blevins and was unfair with him.
He not only goes back to show he will not give back but also successfully takes back what was
taken from him and his friends.
The realization occurs when John Grady is sitting in his fathers living room venting to
him. John Grady admits to killing a man and wanting to kill the officer for killing Blevins. Then,
he says he did not because it was not going to make it right. Here you see a more mature John
Grady, as he does not believe revenge will fix the problem.