The Red Pony

“The Leader of the People” also takes place on the Tiflin ranch. It occurs in March, before the other stories. “The Gift” begins in summertime, the summer after the events of “The Leader of the People,” offering a cyclic nature to the stories and greater insights into the men who surround Jody. “The Leader of the People” introduces Ruth Tiflin’s father, who is referred to as Grandfather. This naming convention centers the story on Jody, the grandson. The theme of the Relationships Between Men and Boys is developed through this additional male family member, and Carl and Billy have opposing opinions about Grandfather. There is mutual respect between Billy and Grandfather: “Billy held Grandfather in reverence” (205) and “Grandfather said that Billy was one of the few men of the new generation who had not gone soft” (205). Not only do they respect each other, but they also share a bond through the connection of Billy’s late father. The two men appear similar and contrast sharply to Carl, who is confrontational and frequently attempts to assert his power as the head of the ranch. Jody also adores Grandfather.

Carl dislikes Grandfather because he is elderly and repeats the same stories about his journey west. Carl “cruelly” (207) tells Grandfather that he repeats stories. Then, Carl argues that “[n]obody wants to hear about it over and over” (211). His wife, Ruth, argues on behalf of her father. She asks Carl to indulge Grandfather by allowing him to retell his stories. Ruth, like Billy and Jody, enjoys Grandfather’s company. Carl dislikes both Grandfather and Gitano, from “The Great Mountains.” His consistent dislike of the elderly shows that he only values people who currently work hard or are useful to him in some way. He lacks the ability to respect people who have already worked hard, likening them to old horses. This also demonstrates Carl’s habit of commodifying the people around him, measuring their worth by how hard they can work or what they can offer. These interpersonal dynamics develop the theme of Relationships Between Men and Boys, offering little growth in Carl, whose only redeeming moment occurred in “The Promise” when he told Jody to forgive Billy.

However, part of Jody’s Coming of Age is seeing Carl mistreat Grandfather. Jody enjoys hearing Grandfather’s stories: “He wished he could have been living in the heroic time, but he knew he was not of heroic timber” (209). Jody loves the idea of leading people, but he also knows that he is not responsible. After Carl condemns Grandfather’s storytelling, Jody takes on the responsibility of trying to console Grandfather. Grandfather tells Jody, “Westering isn’t a hunger anymore. It’s all done. Your father is right” (213). Jody responds by offering to make lemonade for Grandfather—an attempt to soothe him and demonstrate love in the few ways he can offer.

“The Leader of the People” also develops the theme of The Connection Between People and Their Environment. This story encompasses the plains and the ocean, as well as the Salinas Valley. Grandfather’s goal of traveling west ended when he reached the Pacific. His daughter Ruth, explains, “If there’d been any farther west to go, he’d have gone. [...] But at last there was the ocean. He lives by the ocean where he had to stop” (203). Westward expansion had an endpoint—the western coast of the United States. People who defined themselves through “westering” (213) lost their identity and sense of purpose when they ran out of land and encountered the ocean. Grandfather explains, “It was a whole bunch of people made into one big crawling beast. And I was the head” (213). He retells the stories about traveling west because he enjoyed leading a large group and relives these memories when he shares them. Like Carl, he values usefulness, but through Carl’s harsh judgment, he grows to view himself and his stories as useless. Because the story ends with Jody making Grandfather lemonade, there is hope that he will be able to retell his stories to his curious grandson, but it is clear that the most powerful man on the ranch, Carl, determines and reinforces the hierarchy.