The Red Pony Themes

The Red Pony shares with us a few episodes from a young boy's life. Now you might think that this means we're reading a cut and dried coming of age story, but it's not quite so simple. Jody bounces...

Sure, no humans bite the dust in The Red Pony, but death's a-knocking nonetheless. From the death of the red pony to Jody's brutal killing of the buzzard to Billy's sacrifice of the mare, we've got...

Growing up Tiflin is not easy. But just like everyone else on this rock, Jody can't choose his parents. In The Red Pony, he's got a hardworking dad, a dutiful mom, and a skilled ranch hand to look...

The Red Pony takes place on a ranch, so it's no wonder that men and masculinity reign supreme. Carl Tiflin's the alpha male, with a gruff exterior and intense work ethic. Billy Buck's his right-han...

For all the promise and hope that Jody experiences in The Red Pony, there are a whole lot of bummers coming down the pike, too. For Jody, the happiest moments often come with their fair share of di...

As young Jody Tiflin grows up on his father's horse and cattle ranch, he learns that life is not for slacking. Every day there are chores to do, animals to care for, and all kinds of responsibiliti...

What young boy doesn't grow up admiring his father? Um. Jody maybe? Although the kid certainly respects Carl's authority, you would be hard pressed to say that he admires him. Instead, Jody tends t...