In Cormac McCarthy's "Cities of the Plain," the notion of choice is intricately explored. The author suggests that while individuals perceive their decisions as personal, they are actually influenced by a web of historical and societal constraints. The choices they make are not entirely free but rather shaped by the past and interconnected generations, leading to a sense of entrapment.

This idea highlights that every action taken in this intricate maze of life limits future possibilities. Each choice made within the constraints of one's environment binds individuals tighter to their paths, reinforcing the idea that true freedom may be an illusion, as decisions are often dictated by external factors and inherited legacies.