A Horses Tale by Mark Twain - Book Report/Review Example

Book Review-A Horse’s Tale by Mark Twain The primary purpose of the assignment is to present an insight over the book titled A Horse’s Tale by Mark Twain. The book has fifteen chapters and each chapter unfolds a new and interesting turn to the story being conveyed by the horse. The illustration of each chapter along with the summary has been presented in a critical manner (Twain, 04-43) Chapter-1: Soilder Boy-Privately to Himself This chapter starts with the introduction of the horse where he states his identity in the form of Buffalo Bill’s horse. The horse states that the owner is well built with a good structure holding a reputable position in the army. The horse has also travelled with him thousands of miles passing by valleys, mountains, and plains. The horse is also well trained in terms of understanding signs and using them with great effects in the form of dragging wounded soldiers. The horse also conveyed his identity by remembering his ancestors. The horse also suggested the presence of dogs in the house. Overall, it can be concluded that the horse has a wonderful relationship with the general along with other people around the general. The relationship is basically companionship embedded with the elements of friendship building a strong foundation for the later chapters. Chapter-2: Letter from Rouen to General Alison This chapter illustrates the feeling of Rouen to his brother-in-law, General Alison where he states that his poor sister and husband could recover from their illness and wanted Alison to take care if their daughter Cathy. She was presented as a sweet little child having mastered Spanish, English, German, and Italian language and possessing good judgmental skills along with a compassionate heart. Cathy was described as a wonderful child having strong empathy for animals and her relationship with animals was based on empathy and personal connection. She was found to be attached to animals and felt bas when a big ant tried to kill the small one. She even tried to save the small ant and felt sorry when both were killed. Overall, this chapter concluded that the little girl is not only sensible in her thought process but also emphatic towards animals by sharing a strong bonding and relationship. Chapter-3: General Alison to his Mother The chapter illustrates the letter being written by General Alison to his mother defining the attributes of little girl, Cathy. He stated that Cathy has a significant charm and stubbornness that created a positive influence on people around. However, she also had a fuming flame of anger. She got excited seeing the Buffalo Bill. She was lost in his beauty and admired him from a distance until he hugged him and set her on his shoulder. Overall, it was concluded that the little girl has strong connection with animals being lost in the eternal charm and beauty of the horse along with admiring him. The relationship was basically based on admiration and appreciation. Chapter-4: Cathy to her Aunt Mercedes The chapter narrates the feelings of Cathy being written to her aunt, Mercedes. She explained the charm and beauty of the valleys, plains, and mountains along with signifying her relationship with horses, dogs, eagles, and birds. Her illustration of rabbits as big as dogs and horses taking her for the ride stated his fondness and likeliness for animals. Overall, the chapter concluded that Cathy was enjoying her stay in the company of animals and the relationship shared with animals made her happy and content. It also helped her to be emphatic. Chapter-5: General Alison to Mercedes The chapter narrates the penning of General Alison to Mercedes where he stated that Cathy became the Corporal General of the Seventh Cavalry and how she was felicitated by the army and other ranks. He also narrated the incidents of her training where she was trained under the strict guidance of Buffalo Bill. She was trained in every aspect by being exposed to different situations in order to extract the best out of her. Overall, there was only one significant relationship being stated between Cathy and the horse that of the teacher and student embedded with the elements of learning. Chapter-6: Soldier Boy and the Mexican Plug The chapter narrated the story of the soldier boy and the Mexican Plug where it was found that Cathy shared an emphatic and emotional bond with Buffalo Bill. During once race, Buffalo Bill wanted her to ride another horse but she did not because of the utmost faith and trust on Buffalo Bill. The incident highlighted an emotional bond between Cathy and Buffalo Bill. Overall, it can be summarized that the horse and girl shared emotional trust and bonding based on mutual respect and feeling of love and gratitude. Chapter-7: Soldier Boy and Shekels This chapter narrated the story of the Mexican Plug, Mongrel. He complimented with the term reptile that was meant to be aristocratic in nature. Furthermore, Mongrel was aware of the planning and conspiracy for running after Buffalo Bill’s life. Buffalo Bill has always been threatened and warned but he cared little when it comes to threats and conspiracies. Mongrel was aware of the planning but he did not share with anyone. Overall, there was not any specific relationship being signified and stated in this chapter between any animal and human. The incidents were mainly in the form of sharing of one’s characteristics and way of thinking. Chapter-8: Buffalo Bill and General Alison The chapter describes the short interaction between Buffalo Bill and General Alison where General Alison stated that Buffalo Bill and Thorndike will be presented the guard of honor. In return, Buffalo Bill wanted the guard of honor from Alison rather than from the Commander in Chief of the US. The chapter can be summarized as the strong relationship and respect between the horse and the General with the feeling of mutual respect. Chapter-9: Soldier Boy and Shekels Again The chapter narrated the incident of a soldier boy narrating the incident of Buffalo Bill being injured. It was also narrated that Buffalo Bill along with Thorndike were injured because of the bullet shot. The poor girl kept waiting for the betterment of Buffalo Bill and the General gave her the company along with protecting from wolves. Overall, the chapter concluded that the relationship being shared by the girl and horse was based on emotions and gratitude. The pain of one affected the other along with evoking the feeling of happiness and sadness. Chapter-10: General Alison and Dorcas The interaction between General Alison and Dorcas was based on the increasing fondness of the little girl with other animals. It was also found animals talking to each other while sharing important information. The increasing proximity of the girl with animals and her prowess created doubts in the General mind. However, her prowess was not threatening that appeased the General to an extent. Overall, it can be concluded that that there was no significant relationship between the human and animals was found but only the sharing and caring that was also doubted and questioned. The compassionate nature of animals and the little girl under one umbrella of healthy relationship was found in the chapter. Chapter-11: Antonio and Thorndike The chapter presents the discussion between Antonio and Thorndike where Thorndike stated his wish of seeing a bull fight and railroad. The presentation of bull while fighting has been presented in a real manner creating a vivid image for readers and listeners. The power of bull in showcasing his power was presented in a real manner. Overall, it was concluded that that there is no significant relationship between the humans and animals in this chapter other than theoretical discussion over identities and prowess. Chapter-12: Mongrel and the Other Horse This chapter presented the discussion between Mongrel and other horse. Mongrel questioned the other horse for which he said to have witnessed a number of kind hearted human beings. It was also stated that men are not brutal as they are stated but are affected by their nature driving them to behave in a manner defined by kindness and brutality. Overall, it was concluded that bull fight is not the right way to express kindness towards animals especially when there is a difference between the treatment of human beings and animals. Horses also discussed the fact that they do not go to hell or heaven until deserved. So, an irony has been presented in the form of the views and opinions with a relationship between the humans and animals presented in a slapstick manner. Chapter-13: General Alison to his Mother The chapter illustrated the journey of Cathy, General Alison, and soldier boy to Spain. Everyone came to bid good bye to the beautiful girl who belonged to Spain deep inside her heart. She was accompanied by the soldier boy with whom she shared a close and compassionate relationship. The horses came to see her along with taking her for a while. The entire incident of meeting people, bidding good bye, and showing affection and connection towards animals was portrayed in a compassionate manner. Overall, it can be concluded that there is not any relationship incident being shared in this chapter other than sharing of emotions. Chapter-14: Soldier Boy-To himself The chapter presented an emotional insight by describing the feelings of the soldier boy. The soldier boy is missing the warmth and touch of Cathy along with his compassionate words and emotions. He had been mastered by many and at times in a cruel fashion. With degrading health and boney structure, he is nothing but a haggard looking useless creature ready for the final humiliation in the form of being discarded. All he wanted was her warmth and soulful stokes to revive him once again against all miseries and hardships. Overall, it can be concluded that an emotional outburst and a compassionate relationship between the horse and the lady has been portrayed in a touching manner. Chapter-15: General Alison to Mrs. Drake; The Colonel’s Wife The last chapter is one of the most interesting and emotional chapters. The chapter stated that Cathy has always been interested in horses looking for them along with developing an emotional connection with other animals. The falling of the soldier boy on Cathy’s feet and she being injured and hit by the bull and later dying presented an emotional outburst. Furthermore, when her soul was departing, she kept remembering her animals with whom she shared time and memories. This concluded that human and animals share close and compassionate relationship. Conclusion Through the analysis of the book titles A Horse’s Tail, it was found that human beings and animals share close and emphatic connection with each other to an extent that one lives for the happiness of others while making them an important part of their lives. The relationship of Cathy with horses can be termed as an exemplary saga of selfless love and emotion with an emotional touch. Works Cited Twain, Mark. A Horse’s Tale. Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University. 2013. Print Read More