The girl is half my size. I think I can handle her without calling council.You disappoint me, Hunter. Where is the patience you show with the wild horses you train? Has it gone the way of the wind?A horse is worth the trouble. A yellow-hair is not.
In "Comanche Moon" by Catherine Anderson, a character reflects on their ability to manage a girl, who is significantly smaller than them, without needing assistance from others. This sentiment reveals a dismissive attitude towards the girl, suggesting that they view her as less valuable, in stark contrast to the patience they exercise when training wild horses. The comparison highlights a broader theme of valuing different lives; the character equates the worth of a horse favorably over that of a person. Their disappointment in another character's lack of patience raises questions about the values and priorities that shape our relationships with others in the community.
The character's self-assuredness regarding handling the girl hints at an underlying issue of disrespect and objectification. Their belief that she holds less worth than an animal undermines her humanity and points to a hierarchy of value based on physical attributes.
This dynamic serves as a commentary on how society often prioritizes certain lives over others, challenging readers to consider what qualifies as worth and how we perceive those around us.