Cormac McCarthy explores the idea that an individual becomes self-aware through decisions made in times of despair, because of the conflict between the true self and the false self, resulting in a distrust of truth. Self-awareness often results in a positive attitude towards a particular outcome because the individual remains true to oneself. Lack of self-awareness creates a redirection of personal responsibility causing a stunt in growth of personality due to a lack of self-improvement through self-reflection. This theme is explored through the development of Lacey Rawlins, the rational secondary character. “Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real. The events that cause them can never be forgotten, can they?” p. 135
Parallelling this, McCarthy explores the conflict between reason, passion, and chaos; and the extent to which one pursues one’s interests based on reason or passion. This conflict is caused by the separations of these aspects of personality inflicted upon individuals by society, because passion is impulsive, whereas reason requires analysis of a situation. The spontaneous nature of passion results in hasty decision making, often with pragmatic results. Reason is often regarded as successful due to the acceptable result, however compromising must occur. Chaos conflicts both, because it lacks requirement for decisions at all. In the novel, passion is represented by John Grady Cole, reason is embodied in Lacey Rawlins, and chaos, in Jimmy Blevins.
The journey taken by John Grady Cole and Rawlins is a direct result of John Grady’s impulsive wish to live his dream of becoming a cowboy in the image of John Wayne, or the man in white, often the lone ranger. Rawlins being Tonto, the voice of reason. John Grady’s heroic demeanor leads the duo into troublesome situations. Rawlins’s development is initiated by their incarceration when he hears Blevins’s death. In Part I, there is an animosity towards Blevins on Rawlins’s part based on Blevins’s disruptive nature, yet in Part III Rawlins knows of the immoral nature of Blevins’s execution, yet implores John Grady to remain silent: to let the act of violence be taken on. “Don’t you say a damn word.” (p. 177) This event does hold John Grady back, but causes a moral dilemma for John: “The reason I wanted to kill him was because I stood there and let him walk that boy out in the trees and shoot him and I never said nothin.” (p.293) After Blevins’s execution, Rawlins affirms his reason and leaves John Grady. Their separation is shown when Rawlins sits on the opposite side of the train from the window through which he would be able to leave John Grady.
In this way, Rawlins exemplifies his wisdom through self-awareness, as well as his initiative taken in improving his own situation regardless of John Grady’s impulsive choices. His reason can be seen as he foreshadows how meeting Blevins “will get us thowed in the jailhouse.” (p. 41) Rawlins’s inquiry on death on page 91 “You ever think about dyin?” demonstrates his ability to question life in reference to his own experiences. A similar example can be seen in his reflection “Ever dumb thing I ever done in my life there was a decision I made before that got me into it. It was never the dumb thing. It was always some choice I’d made before it.” (p.79) when he once again recognizes his past experience and comes to a conclusion on the present.
In the end, Rawlins followed his own wisdom and quit John Grady Cole which, though not a romantic or heroic situation, was certainly the most rational. John Grady, however, returns to the ranch and finds himself broken hearted, morally questioning, and ultimately broken in spirit. Both characters learn the necessity of moderation in the other’s qualities: John Grady lacked calculated thought when he left the United States, due to his definition of himself as “ardenthearted” (p. 6), and a lack of reflection upon who he really was - a hopeful young man - in relation to who he wanted to be. Rawlins too finds that he ought also embrace some more passionate perspectives: his reason leads him to seem somewhat cold towards Blevins because of Blevins’s knack for waking inconvenience, yet at Blevins’s demise, he feels the injustice “they caint just walk him out there and shoot him. Hell fire.” (p. 178) and though it would have been more logical to leave Blevins alone in Part I, or even simply be glad Blevins was dead. Nonetheless, Rawlins is impacted by the death, causing him to reflect on his decisions.
A symbol reflective of Rawlins’s character, as is throughout the novel, can be seen in the story of Eden. The tempted John Grady, or Eve, is constantly caving into what he desires, and will never listen to the voice of reason, Rawlins, or Adam. John Grady and Rawlins always face troubling situations together, however, Rawlins has the wisdom entering the situation from past experiences, “Ever dumb thing I ever done in my life there was a decision I made before that got me into it. It was never the dumb thing. It was always some choice I’d made before it.” p.79. Rawlin’s knowledge allows him to abide by the laws, or God’s Laws as he knows the consequences that will be present later. Rawlins’s has the sense to know what will happen, if one decides to fall for temptation as he understands the warning God has given them figuratively, and the risks literally, but he does not obtain the ability to control the outcome of the situation. However, John Grady’s, or Eve’s passionate spirit and heart is too impulsive to listen and will fulfill the wish they desire. In the process of obtaining their wish, they are also condemning Rawlins/Adam to face the same fate that comes with breaking a rule. The cost of beauty is defined in the quotation: “He thought the world’s heart beat at a terrible cost and that the world’s pain and its beauty moved in a relationship of diverging equity and that in this headlong deficit the blood of multitudes might ultimately be exacted for the vision of a single flower.” (p. 282) In the Garden of Eden, in exchange for the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve suffer the slings and arrows of their humanity - in All the Pretty Horses John and Rawlins suffer violence in prison.
Cormac McCarthy’s intend for this novel, is for the readers to be able to consider, how they would react in situations that jeopardizes their identity and creates a conflict within themselves. The individuals are able to observe the countless scenarios Rawlins, and John Grady encounter that allows them to reflect upon themselves and make a decision that is related to either the passion they pursue, the chaos that follows them or the sensible choice. The choices that follow the decision either require an analysis of the situation, or a rash, quick decision. An analysis of the situation often takes times, and calm thinking, this determines an individual's identity to be similar to Rawlins. The spontaneous, passion decision is more linked to John Grady’s personality type. The choices that follow with the decision making, is able to associate with situations that individuals face everyday. As individuals follow the choices the characters make, individuals are able to place themselves in their perspective and decide what path they would choose. McCarthy’s work, produces questions for all individuals to ponder. They are able to reflect upon themselves, and learn which path they would take, as it appears most attractive to them. This decisions will determine their identity and allow them to grow as a person. Cormac McCarthy’s novel is used as a guide toward individuals to become more self- aware and to aid them when confirming a decision.
Works Cited:
McCarthy, Cormac. "All the Pretty Horses"