Cormac McCarthy’s "All the Pretty Horses" explores themes of expertise, masculinity, and the disdain for theoretical knowledge. The characters in the novel exhibit a fierce pride in their practical skills, believing that true understanding can only be gained through personal experience. This attitude reflects a broader commentary on the nature of masculinity, where practical knowledge is valued over book learning. The quote highlights the belief that hands-on experience is superior and that theoretical or second-hand knowledge is often dismissed. This perspective emphasizes a rugged individualism central to the characters’ identities, illustrating their connection to the land and the traditions they uphold.

Cormac McCarthy’s "All the Pretty Horses" explores themes of expertise, masculinity, and the disdain for theoretical knowledge. The characters in the novel exhibit a fierce pride in their practical skills, believing that true understanding can only be gained through personal experience. This attitude reflects a broader commentary on the nature of masculinity, where practical knowledge is valued over book learning.

The quote highlights the belief that hands-on experience is superior and that theoretical or second-hand knowledge is often dismissed. This perspective emphasizes a rugged individualism central to the characters’ identities, illustrating their connection to the land and the traditions they uphold.