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cormac mccarthy #13

Open shane0 opened 5 months ago

shane0 commented 5 months ago

tragedy

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"Yes. At the understanding that life will not take you back. I have no wish to paint the world in colors more somber than those it wears, but as the world gives way to darkness it becomes more and more difficult to dismiss the understanding that the world is in fact oneself. It is a thing which you have created, no more, no less. And when you cease to be so will the world. There will be other worlds. Of course. But they are the worlds of other men and your understanding of them was never more than an illusion anyway. Your world—the only one that matters—will be gone. And it will never come again. The extinction of all reality is a concept no resignation can encompass. Until annihilation comes. And all grand ideas are seen for what they are. And now I must go. I have calls to make, and then, if there is time, I will take a little nap."

—The Counselor

"How bad. The world’s truth constitutes a vision so terrifying as to beggar the prophecies of the bleakest seer who ever walked it. Once you accept that then the idea that all of this will one day be ground to powder and blown into the void becomes not a prophecy but a promise. So allow me in turn to ask you this question: When we and all our works are gone together with every memory of them and every machine in which such memory could be encoded and stored and the earth is not even a cinder, for whom then will this be a tragedy? Where would such a being be found? And by whom?"

—The Passenger

shane0 commented 4 months ago

the crossing

The Crossing by Cormac McCarthy, the second book in his Border Trilogy, follows the journey of Billy Parham and his younger brother, Boyd. The novel is divided into four parts, and here is a chapter-by-chapter summary:

Part One: The Wolf

  1. Chapter 1: Billy Parham, a 16-year-old boy, traps a she-wolf that has been attacking his family's livestock. Despite his father's advice to kill it, he decides to take it back to the mountains of Mexico.
  2. Chapter 2: Billy begins his journey south, facing harsh weather and numerous obstacles. Along the way, he develops a bond with the wolf.
  3. Chapter 3: In Mexico, Billy encounters various characters, including a kind Mexican family who help him. He also experiences the harsh realities of life in a foreign land.
  4. Chapter 4: Billy's journey ends tragically when the wolf is taken from him by Mexican authorities and killed. Devastated, Billy returns home.

Part Two: The Family

  1. Chapter 5: Billy arrives home to find that his parents have been murdered and their horses stolen. He decides to track down the murderers and reclaim the horses.
  2. Chapter 6: Billy sets out with his younger brother, Boyd. They travel through a dangerous landscape, facing threats from both nature and humans.
  3. Chapter 7: The brothers find the horses but get involved in a violent confrontation. Boyd is seriously injured.
  4. Chapter 8: Boyd recovers under the care of a Mexican family, and he falls in love with their daughter. Despite their bond, Boyd is restless and driven by a desire for vengeance.

Part Three: The Journey

  1. Chapter 9: Boyd and Billy continue their quest for justice. Their relationship becomes strained as Boyd becomes more distant and consumed by his own goals.
  2. Chapter 10: Boyd decides to separate from Billy and join a group of revolutionaries. Billy, heartbroken, continues alone.
  3. Chapter 11: Billy hears rumors of Boyd's death. He searches for his brother's body, driven by a sense of duty and loss.
  4. Chapter 12: Billy eventually finds Boyd's grave. He exhumes the body and begins the long journey back to the United States.

Part Four: The Return

  1. Chapter 13: Billy, now alone and burdened by grief, travels back to New Mexico. He reflects on his journey and the loss of his family.
  2. Chapter 14: Billy faces the harsh realities of his return. He is a changed man, marked by his experiences and the loss he has endured.
  3. Chapter 15: Billy tries to find a place in a world that has moved on without him. He searches for meaning and a sense of belonging.
  4. Chapter 16: The novel ends with Billy wandering, still searching for peace and understanding. His journey, marked by loss and resilience, continues.

The Crossing is a tale of adventure, loss, and the search for identity. McCarthy's prose is rich and evocative, capturing the harsh beauty of the landscape and the complex emotions of his characters.

shane0 commented 4 months ago

suttree

Suttree by Cormac McCarthy is a novel set in Knoxville, Tennessee, during the 1950s. It follows Cornelius Suttree, a man who has abandoned his family and conventional life to live on a houseboat on the Tennessee River. Here is a chapter-by-chapter summary:

Part One

  1. Chapter 1: The novel opens with a dreamlike sequence where Suttree sees his own death. He wakes up in his houseboat and begins his day. We are introduced to the environment of the Tennessee River and the people living on its banks.
  2. Chapter 2: Suttree meets Reese, a fellow fisherman, and the two discuss their lives and the river. Suttree's background as an educated man who chose to live among society's outcasts is hinted at.
  3. Chapter 3: Suttree interacts with various characters in Knoxville, including the homeless and the destitute. He reflects on his past and his decision to leave his family.
  4. Chapter 4: Suttree is arrested for public drunkenness. In jail, he meets Gene Harrogate, a young man who becomes an important figure in his life. Harrogate's naivety and criminal schemes provide a contrast to Suttree's world-weary outlook.

Part Two

  1. Chapter 5: Suttree is released from jail and returns to his houseboat. He continues his daily routine of fishing and interacting with the river's inhabitants.
  2. Chapter 6: Harrogate attempts to make money by growing watermelons in the city sewer system. His schemes often end in failure and highlight the desperation and absurdity of his situation.
  3. Chapter 7: Suttree's relationships with the people around him, including various women, are explored. His detachment and inability to fully connect with others become apparent.
  4. Chapter 8: Suttree faces various challenges, including illness and the harsh conditions of life on the river. Despite these hardships, he remains committed to his chosen lifestyle.

Part Three

  1. Chapter 9: Suttree's relationship with his estranged wife and their deceased son is explored. He visits his son's grave and reflects on his past choices and their consequences.
  2. Chapter 10: Harrogate's criminal activities escalate, leading to more trouble and eventual imprisonment. Suttree tries to help him, but their efforts are often in vain.
  3. Chapter 11: Suttree becomes increasingly isolated as he grapples with his existential struggles. His encounters with death and suffering become more frequent.
  4. Chapter 12: Suttree is hospitalized after a severe illness. During his recovery, he experiences a moment of clarity and begins to question his place in the world.

Part Four

  1. Chapter 13: Suttree returns to the river, but his outlook has changed. He becomes more introspective and reflective, contemplating the meaning of his existence.
  2. Chapter 14: Suttree's relationships with the people around him continue to evolve. He reconnects with old acquaintances and makes new ones, but his sense of detachment persists.
  3. Chapter 15: Suttree faces a series of personal losses, including the deaths of friends and the destruction of his houseboat. These events push him to the brink of despair.
  4. Chapter 16: The novel ends with Suttree leaving Knoxville, uncertain of his future. His journey remains open-ended, symbolizing the ongoing search for meaning and redemption.

Suttree is a rich and complex novel that delves into themes of isolation, existentialism, and the human condition. McCarthy's vivid prose and deep characterizations create a haunting portrait of a man struggling to find his place in a harsh and indifferent world.

shane0 commented 4 months ago

Cities of the Plain

by Cormac McCarthy is the final installment in the Border Trilogy, following the lives of John Grady Cole and Billy Parham. Set in the early 1950s, the novel deals with themes of love, loss, and the harsh realities of life along the U.S.-Mexico border. Here's a chapter-by-chapter summary:

Part One

  1. Chapter 1: John Grady Cole and Billy Parham are cowboys working on a ranch in New Mexico. The ranch is under threat of being bought by the government. The men discuss their lives and the potential closure of the ranch.
  2. Chapter 2: John Grady meets a young prostitute named Magdalena in a Mexican brothel and falls in love with her. Despite warnings from others, he becomes determined to rescue her from her situation.
  3. Chapter 3: Billy and John Grady’s friendship deepens as they work together and face the challenges of ranch life. Billy expresses concern over John Grady’s infatuation with Magdalena, fearing it will lead to trouble.
  4. Chapter 4: John Grady and Magdalena’s relationship develops. John Grady makes plans to marry her and start a new life together, despite the dangers posed by her pimp, Eduardo.

Part Two

  1. Chapter 5: John Grady continues his efforts to save Magdalena. He makes several trips to Mexico to see her and negotiate her freedom. The couple dreams of a better future together.
  2. Chapter 6: Eduardo, Magdalena’s pimp, becomes aware of John Grady’s intentions and warns him to stay away. The tension between John Grady and Eduardo escalates, foreshadowing a violent confrontation.
  3. Chapter 7: Billy tries to dissuade John Grady from his course of action, but John Grady remains steadfast. Their bond is tested as Billy struggles to support his friend while fearing for his safety.
  4. Chapter 8: The situation reaches a boiling point when Eduardo sets a trap for John Grady. The novel’s themes of fate and inevitability come to the forefront as John Grady’s plans are met with increasing resistance.

Part Three

  1. Chapter 9: John Grady confronts Eduardo in a deadly knife fight. Despite his bravery and determination, John Grady is mortally wounded. The fight’s brutal and tragic outcome marks the climax of the novel.
  2. Chapter 10: As John Grady lies dying, Billy finds him and tries to save him. The scene is poignant, highlighting the deep bond between the two men and the senselessness of the violence that has shattered their lives.
  3. Chapter 11: After John Grady’s death, Billy struggles to cope with the loss. He leaves the ranch and embarks on a journey, grappling with his grief and the memories of his friend.
  4. Chapter 12: The novel concludes with Billy as an old man, reflecting on his past and the events that have shaped his life. His journey through the American West is marked by a sense of loss and a search for meaning.

Cities of the Plain is a poignant and haunting conclusion to the Border Trilogy. McCarthy’s prose captures the beauty and brutality of the landscape, as well as the deep emotional connections between his characters. The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the inexorable passage of time, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

shane0 commented 4 months ago

All the Pretty Horses

by Cormac McCarthy is the first novel in his Border Trilogy. It follows the journey of John Grady Cole, a young cowboy who leaves Texas for Mexico in search of a better life. Here is a chapter-by-chapter summary:

Chapter I

  1. Part 1: The novel opens in 1949 with the death of John Grady Cole's grandfather. Sixteen-year-old John Grady learns that his family's ranch is being sold, and he decides to leave Texas. He convinces his friend Lacey Rawlins to join him on a journey to Mexico.
  2. Part 2: As they travel south, John Grady and Rawlins encounter a young boy named Jimmy Blevins, who insists on accompanying them despite their reservations. Blevins is riding a magnificent horse and claims to have lost his way.
  3. Part 3: The trio crosses into Mexico and encounters various challenges, including harsh weather and treacherous terrain. They form a tentative bond, though Blevins remains a mysterious and unpredictable presence.
  4. Part 4: In a storm, Blevins loses his horse and gun. The group later finds Blevins' horse in a small town, and Blevins steals it back, causing a shootout and further complicating their journey.

Chapter II

  1. Part 5: John Grady and Rawlins separate from Blevins and find work at a large hacienda owned by Don Héctor Rocha y Villareal. John Grady impresses Don Héctor with his skill with horses and earns a respected position on the ranch.
  2. Part 6: John Grady meets and falls in love with Don Héctor's daughter, Alejandra. Despite the warnings from the ranch’s caretaker, Alfonsa, about the dangers of their relationship, John Grady and Alejandra continue their affair in secret.
  3. Part 7: The relationship between John Grady and Alejandra becomes more intense, and they spend time together exploring the countryside. However, their love is threatened by societal and familial expectations.
  4. Part 8: Rawlins grows increasingly uneasy about their situation, fearing the consequences of John Grady's relationship with Alejandra. Tensions rise as they try to navigate their complicated circumstances.

Chapter III

  1. Part 9: John Grady and Rawlins are arrested by Mexican authorities, who accuse them of being outlaws due to their association with Blevins. They are imprisoned and endure brutal treatment.
  2. Part 10: In prison, John Grady and Rawlins face violence and threats from other inmates. John Grady is forced to kill a man in self-defense, further complicating their situation.
  3. Part 11: Alejandra visits John Grady in prison and arranges for their release through her family’s connections, but she tells him that she cannot see him again due to her family's disapproval.
  4. Part 12: John Grady and Rawlins are released from prison. Rawlins returns to Texas, while John Grady goes back to the hacienda to reclaim his horse and confront Don Héctor.

Chapter IV

  1. Part 13: John Grady confronts Don Héctor and takes back his horse. He rides through the Mexican countryside, grappling with his emotions and the consequences of his actions.
  2. Part 14: John Grady has a final meeting with Alejandra, who tells him she cannot defy her family to be with him. Heartbroken, John Grady leaves her and continues his journey alone.
  3. Part 15: John Grady returns to Texas with the bodies of Rawlins' horses and the stolen horse, seeking justice and closure. He faces various legal and personal challenges as he tries to make sense of his experiences.
  4. Part 16: The novel ends with John Grady alone and reflecting on his journey. He continues to seek a place where he belongs, marked by the loss and disillusionment he has experienced.

All the Pretty Horses is a powerful and evocative novel that explores themes of love, loss, and the search for identity. McCarthy's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions bring the rugged landscape and complex characters to life, creating a memorable and haunting story.

shane0 commented 4 months ago

https://github.com/shane0/shane0.github.io/discussions/56

shane0 commented 3 months ago

pretty horses https://vimeo.com/308804948

shane0 commented 2 months ago
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shane0 commented 5 days ago

orchard keeper

Cormac McCarthy’s The Orchard Keeper (1965) is a richly atmospheric novel that explores themes of isolation, tradition, and the untamed wilderness. Here are some highlights and key elements from the novel:

1. Themes and Symbolism

2. Key Characters

3. Memorable Passages

McCarthy’s prose is known for its lyricism and vivid descriptions. Some striking aspects include:

4. Narrative Style

McCarthy employs a nonlinear narrative and shifting perspectives, which creates a sense of mystery and unease. The reader pieces together the connections between the characters and events.

5. Legacy

The Orchard Keeper marked McCarthy's debut, setting the tone for his career. It introduced his hallmark style:

Here is a chapter-by-chapter summary of The Orchard Keeper by Cormac McCarthy:

Chapter 1

The novel opens with a vivid description of the Appalachian wilderness, establishing the isolated and untamed setting. The narrative introduces Arthur Ownby, the titular orchard keeper, who tends to his land and lives in seclusion. His daily routines and interaction with the land underscore his deep connection to nature.

Chapter 2

Marion Sylder, a whiskey bootlegger, is introduced. The chapter describes his illegal activities and his independent, rugged personality. A pivotal scene occurs when Sylder kills Kenneth Rattner in self-defense during an altercation. Sylder disposes of the body in a spray pit near Ownby’s orchard, setting up an unspoken connection between the characters.

Chapter 3

The narrative shifts to John Wesley Rattner, the young son of Kenneth Rattner, who is unaware of his father’s fate. John Wesley’s life is marked by poverty and a yearning for purpose. He begins exploring the wilderness around his home, which brings him into proximity with the other main characters.

Chapter 4

Arthur Ownby discovers the remains of Kenneth Rattner in the pit near his orchard. Despite the circumstances, Ownby feels a sense of responsibility toward the body and takes steps to ensure its dignity, hinting at his personal moral code. His actions are steeped in ritual and symbolism, emphasizing his connection to the land and its history.

Chapter 5

John Wesley encounters Sylder, and the two form a tenuous friendship. Sylder takes on a quasi-mentor role for the boy, though John Wesley remains unaware of Sylder's role in his father’s death. The chapter explores themes of loyalty and the complexities of human relationships.

Chapter 6

The bootlegging operations intensify, and Sylder faces increasing risks as law enforcement cracks down on illegal activities. The chapter delves into Sylder’s past and motivations, revealing his fierce independence and disdain for authority.

Chapter 7

The government begins surveilling the region more closely, targeting figures like Ownby. A pivotal moment occurs when authorities discover that Ownby has been harboring illicit activities on his land, leading to his eventual arrest. This marks the decline of the old way of life Ownby represents.

Chapter 8

John Wesley comes to terms with his father’s absence and the harsh realities of life in the Appalachian wilderness. He begins to see the erosion of the traditions and people that have shaped his identity. The chapter reflects on loss and the passage of time.

Epilogue

The epilogue offers a somber reflection on the fate of the main characters. Sylder’s bootlegging days come to an end, Ownby’s arrest symbolizes the dismantling of an older world, and John Wesley grows up, leaving behind the innocence of his youth. The novel concludes with a poignant meditation on the passage of time and the enduring presence of the natural world.

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