Comparing The Power And The Glory And All The Pretty Horses

1. In both The Power and the Glory and All the Pretty Horses the main characters are set apart from the rest by their ability to display true acts of heroism. Neither John Grady nor the Priest are innocent men in the eyes of the law or the Lord. However, the value of a man is not measured through his actions alone, rather it is made up of the driving force behind these actions. Characteristics such as loyalty, perseverance, and an internal sense of duty to justice cause these men to work against their own wellbeing in favor of a larger benefit for humanity. It can be said that neither man is depicted as being a conventional hero figure due to the fact that oftentimes the internal dedication that each man has for their own beliefs are overshadowed

One of the most notable aspects of John Grady is the dedication he has towards justice and his own moral beliefs. He holds himself to such a high standard of moral justice, but he is also a human being with the tendency to fall into traps that cause him to sin. There are many instances in which John Grady is reckless and selfish even to the point at which he puts those around him in danger unintentionally. However, these flaws don’t hold him back from doing what is right at the point in which it is most crucial. The shift in John Grady’s sense of duty from himself to those around him is most clearly seen when he is willing to put himself at risk in order to protect his friends. Although he has no sense of obligation towards Blevins he is willing to provide him with the help that he needs even when it puts both him and Rawlins in danger. Even after they are thrown in jail on the account of Blevins, John Grady doesn’t resent him. When opposition rises up against him John Grady doesn’t confess or surrender, instead he pushes through and maintains the convictions that uphold his belief system. His ever faithful willingness to stand beside the law of justice and hold his ground against those that oppose it encourage John Grady to embrace the role of heroism that he has been called to

Although Christianity has been disbanded from the law the sense of duty that he has to the children of Christ is what drives him to put aside his own eternal sin in order to relieve the suffering of others. As a Priest he has taken it upon himself to guide those in need and fight against the injustice of the world. Even as he was being lead to his capture the Priest is willing to help those who oppose him by hearing their confessions as well. Beneath the tough exterior that he has developed through years on the run from the law the Priest is a man who truly lives to serve those around him through his dedication to Priesthood. One of the most notable aspects of the Priest exists within the fact that even though he is so ridden with guilt over the fact that his soul is unable to be saved, he still finds the courage to comply with the spiritual requests of all those that call upon