Author Topic: Ennis' Horse, Cigar Butt  (Read 3862 times)

Offline Sitaram

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Ennis' Horse, Cigar Butt
« on: Jan 30, 2006, 07:29 AM »
I seem to remember in Proulx story that Ennis chose for himself a horse named "Cigar Butt". 

Suddenly it dawns on me that this bit of trivia conceals a deeper meaning.   I become aware of it when I consider Jack's comment to the bartender, that he is not rich enough to have a horse.

I see a connectiong between "cigar butt" and "stemming the rose"  and Jack's comments to the effect that there is no horse that can throw (or quit) him.
« Last Edit: Jan 30, 2006, 07:44 AM by Sitaram »
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Offline rabjr1

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Re: Ennis' Horse, Cigar Butt
« Reply #1 on: Jan 30, 2006, 07:40 AM »
I seem to remember in Proulx story that Ennis chose for himself a horse named "Cigar Butt". 

Suddenly it dawns on me that this bit of trivia conceals a deeper meaning.   I become aware of it when I consider Jack's comment to the bartender, that he is not rich enough to have a horse.



chanelling Sigmund Freud:  "Sometimes a Cigar Butt is just a Cigar Butt"

He said to the bartender: "do I look like I could afford a ROPING horse"  I am not infromed enough but my unimformed guess is that a roping horse is a SPECIALTY horse (much like the dogs used to herd the sheep - not every breed is a herding dog) and would cost more than a "Cigar Butt".

Also owning a horse does require EXTRA income for feed and boarding etc.  Jack could hardly afford the mainteance on his truck.
RAB aka Raoul The Really Rotten

Offline manila_rocks

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Re: Ennis' Horse, Cigar Butt
« Reply #2 on: Jan 30, 2006, 12:56 PM »
I don't like the idea of an animal being devalued in this manner. Allowing such a name for one's horse says a lot about the character of the owner.   Cigar Butt is derogatory in my opinion.

However, perhaps this does give us insight into the psychological makeup of Ennis.   Projection at play?

Offline rabjr1

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Re: Ennis' Horse, Cigar Butt
« Reply #3 on: Jan 30, 2006, 08:40 PM »
Neither of them named the horses they were riding. 
RAB aka Raoul The Really Rotten