Revenge is one of the more subtle and complicated themes in All the Pretty Horses, as characters balance compassion with toughness, and respect for life with awareness of danger. They nurse wounds to their pride, taking them out on others, or on society. John assaults the Captain and takes back Blevins' horse in order to avenge his companion's memory—it's hard to find a motivation otherwise. But he never talks of revenge or getting even. He feels guilt even at momentary bloodlust, and can't bring himself to hate Alfonsa for keeping him from Alejandra. What's more exciting—the idea of John taking revenge and going on a killing spree, or his persistent refusal to do so?
Questions About Revenge
- In what situations is violence appropriate or not in the novel?
- How is the idea of "revenge" involved in those situations?
- How does John deal with his desire for revenge—does he ever recognize it, or does he ever truly even experience that impulse?
Chew on This
The idea of revenge clearly separates what kind of violence is and is not acceptable: bad characters (i.e. the captain) seek it, while good characters (i.e. John Grady) recognize it as evil and act only in self-defense.
Revenge is an impulse that everyone has, and both good and bad characters act on it. What separates them is how those actions are eventually resolved, and the introspection that follows.