Book Sharing---The Red Pony

John Steinbeck's 1937 publication, "The Red Pony," is a collection of short stories that are interconnected through the child protagonist, Jody. The four short stories in the collection are "The Gift," "The Great Mountains," "The Promise," and "The Leader of the People," each depicting the life cycle of horses, various forms of labor and migration, and the experiences of the elderly. Jody's young mind is marked by these experiences, leaving impressions of joy, worry, longing, and grief. The book, narrated by Jody, provides a child's perspective of farm life and explores the differences in perceptions of life and death between humans and animals. Join me in discovering what makes this book worth recommending!

1. Life is finite.

Jody is confronted with the cyclical processes of birth, aging, and death as harsh and inevitable biological realities as he ventures down his path towards maturity. Jody's first confrontation with the inescapable nature of death occurs in "The Gift" with the loss of Gabilan and his attack on the buzzards at the end of the story. Though Jody witnesses death through the animals he killed and the slaughtering of animals on the ranch, the horrible, drawn out suffering of Gabilan's sickness and eventual death is new to Jody, who ultimately stands bravely in the face of this death[1]. The small red horse featured in the story represents the vulnerability and limitations of existence. Its passing serves as a source of inspiration for both Jody and the audience to acknowledge the importance and unpredictability of life, encouraging us to appreciate each moment and work towards fulfilling our aspirations and objectives.

2. Commitment is a faith

Jody aspired to become a skilled horseman in the future, which led him to heed his father's advice of caring for a pregnant mare. This would enable him to learn the proper way of looking after a newborn foal. Jody worked hard all summer at the stable, starting from when they bred Nellie, whom he attended to with great care while eagerly anticipating the new life she would bring. Unfortunately, the foal's birth did not go as smoothly as expected, as Nellie had trouble giving birth due to a difficult position. Billy, who had felt profound guilt over the death of the little red horse, Gabilan, had promised Jody a new foal. When a critical moment arrived, Billy chose to save the foal at the cost of Nellie's life, forsaking his usual practice of protecting both mare and foal. This story underscores the importance of keeping promises, as Billy's promise to Jody was a testament to his beliefs. It serves as a reminder that we must recognize the fragility and uncertainty of life when fulfilling promises, and that we should cherish and be grateful for every moment of promise and achievement.

3. The importance of family

The theme of family holds great significance in the story of "The Red Pony". In sections two and four, the focus is less on Jodi and growing up, and more about themes of old age, meaning, and the irreplaceableness of what one calls “home.”[2] Jody, the story's main character, is a young boy who resides on a farm with his family. His parents act as both his mentors and friends, offering him valuable guidance and support as he navigates through life, teaching him how to care for horses and manage the farm. This emphasizes the importance of passing down values and knowledge within the family. Moreover, parents are expected to take an active role in their children's upbringing, providing them with adequate care and support, and guiding them towards the right path of development.

4. Growth requires facing challenges.

Jody, before acquiring the red pony, was a lonely and disinterested child. However, upon the arrival of the red pony, he began to develop a sense of responsibility, care, and bravery. Throughout the story's progression, Jody faced several challenges and obstacles, including the responsibility of caring for the pregnant mare Nellie and the anticipation of new life. Unfortunately, Nellie encountered difficulties during childbirth, and Billy had to abandon her in order to save the newborn foal. These challenges and difficulties ultimately led to Jody's personal growth and development, teaching him how to confront life's difficulties and make informed choices and decisions. The story also teaches readers that facing challenges during the growth process is inevitable, and it is only by confronting and overcoming these challenges that one can truly mature and make progress.

[1] “Major themes”, https://www.steinbeckintheschools.com [2] “The Red Pony — Steinbeck’s Profound Novella Packed with Life Lessons for Every Age” https://spectatioblog.com