The evolving nature of power and authority is a central theme in Cormac McCarthy's "All the Pretty Horses." The text suggests that the entities that exert influence over us shift over time, moving from established norms and traditions to more fragile or uncertain forms of control. This highlights a transition where traditional conventions are no longer effective in maintaining order.

This transformation points to the inherent vulnerability of authority as it becomes less rigid and more susceptible to change. As power dynamics evolve, what once seemed like a reliable force can become weakened or challenged, reflecting the fragility of human constructs in the face of time and circumstance.