Through John Grady Cole’s intense desire to find a place where he and his dreams belong, McCarthy questions how far he will go to follow his passions. John Grady decided to ride “out where the western fork of the old Comanche road” ran through the westernmost section of the ranch, which symbolizes him ultimately realizing that he can’t pursue his passions on his family’s ranch in Texas (McCarthy 5). John Grady has a strong desire to pursue his dreams even if that means leaving his home. McCarthy suggests that he is willing to do this because he believes that he can achieve the ideal cowboy lifestyle that he so desperately wants.John Grady’s fantasy of finding the “picturebook horses” symbolizes the ideals of the cowboy lifestyle; courage, passion,
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Upon arriving at Don Hector’s ranch they boys are welcomed in with open arms by men who “nodded to them and made expansive gestures for them to be seated, eating the while with one hand” (95) which symbolizes them accepting the boys into the ranch. John Grady feels a strong connection to these men because they've all dedicated their lives to work with horses which is his greatest passion. During dinner, after the vaqueros watched John Grady and Rawlins break the horses, John Grady asks for a bowl of tortillas to be passed and “there came hands from both sides of the table to take up the dish” (110). The bowl was described as being “like a ceremonial bowl” which symbolizes a right of passage for John Grady and he is full acceptance in the ranch (110). John Grady feel a strong connection to the men on the ranch because they are all bound together by their love of the land and horses. John Grady dreamt about the “horses still wild on the mesa who’s never seen a man afoot” which symbolizes his dreams of completely breaking away from civilization and the expectations of others in hopes of become the ideal cowboy archetype
Upon arriving at Don Hector’s ranch they boys are welcomed in with open arms by men who “nodded to them and made expansive gestures for them to be seated, eating the while with one hand” (95) which symbolizes them accepting the boys into the ranch. John Grady feels a strong connection to these men because they've all dedicated their lives to work with horses which is his greatest passion. During dinner, after the vaqueros watched John Grady and Rawlins break the horses, John Grady asks for a bowl of tortillas to be passed and “there came hands from both sides of the table to take up the dish” (110). The bowl was described as being “like a ceremonial bowl” which symbolizes a right of passage for John Grady and he is full acceptance in the ranch (110). John Grady feel a strong connection to the men on the ranch because they are all bound together by their love of the land and horses. John Grady dreamt about the “horses still wild on the mesa who’s never seen a man afoot” which symbolizes his dreams of completely breaking away from civilization and the expectations of others in hopes of become the ideal cowboy archetype