In "All the Pretty Horses," a character recounts an experience from the panhandle where a sudden calmness caused all the chickens to collapse. This anecdote seems to reflect the unexpected and often surreal moments in life, emphasizing the straightforwardness of nature's influence on animals.
This quote underscores the theme of stillness and the power of the environment within McCarthy's narrative. The imagery evokes a sense of vulnerability in the animals, suggesting deeper connections between life's unpredictability and the natural world.