Pale Horse, Pale Rider

by

Katherine Anne Porter

Pale Horse, Pale Rider Symbols

Paleness

Paleness, or grayness, symbolizes death in the story. The Pale Horse in the story’s title is a reference to one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse described in the Book of Revelation in the…

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The Color White

In “Pale Horse, Pale Rider,” the color white represents illness. Whereas the pale horse of the apocalypse (and paleness in general) signifies death, the white horse represents pestilence, or sickness. Porter evokes the…

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Liberty Bonds

Liberty Bonds symbolize the larger problem of performed patriotism that is so prevalent throughout “Pale Horse, Pale Rider.” Liberty Bonds serve as a particularly apt representation of this larger problem because they simplify…

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