All the Pretty Horses

# Essay Prompt: *All the Pretty Horses* by Cormac McCarthy **Prompt:** In *All the Pretty Horses*, Cormac McCarthy follows John Grady Cole's journey across the Texas-Mexico border to delve into the conflict between idealism and the harshness of reality. Write a structured essay where you argue how McCarthy employs setting, characterization, and symbolic imagery to show that the romanticized myth of the American frontier cannot coexist with the brutal and indifferent world that John Grady faces. Back up your argument with specific examples from the text.

ap_lit · ap_lang · common_core_ela · ib_english

# Essay Prompt: *All the Pretty Horses* by Cormac McCarthy **Prompt:** In *All the Pretty Horses*, Cormac McCarthy follows John Grady Cole's journey across the Texas-Mexico border to delve into the clash between idealism and harsh reality. Write a well-organized essay arguing how McCarthy employs setting, characterization, and symbolism—especially the recurring motif of horses—to illustrate the theme that the romantic notions of the American West fundamentally conflict with the brutal, indifferent world that John Grady faces. Use specific examples from the novel to back up your argument.

ap_lit · ap_lang · common_core_ela

# Essay Prompt: *All the Pretty Horses* by Cormac McCarthy **Prompt:** In *All the Pretty Horses*, Cormac McCarthy portrays John Grady Cole's journey across the Texas-Mexico border to delve into the clash between idealism and stark reality. Write a well-organized essay arguing how McCarthy employs setting, characterization, and symbolism to illustrate that the romantic ideals of the American West cannot coexist with the harsh, uncaring world John Grady faces. Use specific examples from the novel to back up your argument.

ap_lit · ap_lang · common_core_ela · ib_english