The Summer of the Beautiful

White Horse

1. Characters

• Mourad:
  Adjectives: Adventurous, free-spirited, daring, compassionate, mischievous
  Character Sketch: Mourad is an eccentric and fun-loving boy who values freedom and adventure. He has an innate connection with animals, especially horses, and loves living in the moment.

• Aram (Narrator):
  Adjectives: Honest, curious, innocent, reflective, observant
  Character Sketch: Aram is a young, honest boy who struggles with the conflict between familial values of integrity and his longing for adventure. He admires Mourad’s boldness but remains morally grounded.

• Uncle Khosrove:
  Adjectives: Impulsive, short-tempered, eccentric, loud, dismissive
  Character Sketch: Uncle Khosrove is a larger-than-life character with a volatile temper. His famous refrain, “It’s no harm; pay no attention to it,” adds humor and highlights his quirky personality.

• John Byro (Farmer):
  Adjectives: Gentle, trusting, observant, forgiving, kind
  Character Sketch: John Byro, an Assyrian farmer, embodies trust and forgiveness. Though he suspects Mourad and Aram of taking his horse, his faith in their family's honesty prevents him from accusing them.

2. Central Theme and Subthemes

• Central Theme:
  The importance of values such as honesty, integrity, and familial reputation despite the lure of adventure and youthful exuberance.

• Subthemes:

  • The clash between youthful desires and moral values

  • Familial pride and cultural identity

  • Innocence and the romanticism of childhood

  • Trust and forgiveness in human relationships

  • Love and connection with animals

3. Relatively Tough Words with Meanings

• Pious: Devoutly religious or virtuous

• Stealthily: In a secretive or sneaky manner

• Poverty-stricken: Extremely poor

• Irrigation ditch: A trench used for supplying water to crops

• Capricious: Unpredictable or whimsical

• Vagrant: Wandering without a settled home

• Surrey: A light, four-wheeled carriage

4. Good Expressions and Phrases for Answer Writing

• “The spirit of a Garoghlanian – proud, honest, and unyielding”

• “A tribe known for their comical poverty and legendary integrity”

• “Stealing a horse for a ride isn’t truly stealing”

• “A wild streak runs in every family”

• “An uncanny connection with animals”

• “The beautiful white horse was like a dream come true”

• “The weight of trust and honesty supersedes the thrill of adventure”

5. Use of Poetic Devices and Figures of Speech

• Simile:
  “The horse stood on its hind legs, snorted, and burst into a fury of speed that was the loveliest thing I had ever seen.”
  Describes the beauty of the horse in motion, likening it to an awe-inspiring sight.

• Imagery:
  Vivid depictions of the Armenian countryside, the white horse, and Mourad’s fearless rides create striking mental pictures.

• Irony:
  The Garoghlanian family is known for honesty, yet Mourad steals a horse for adventure.

• Personification:
  The horse’s behavior is described as if it can communicate with Mourad, emphasizing their bond.

• Alliteration:
  “Pious stillness,” “poverty-stricken pride” – adds rhythm to the narrative.

Telegraphic Expanded Summary

1. Introduction to the Garoghlanian Tribe and Mourad’s Adventure

• Narrator introduces Garoghlanian family - tribe known for honesty and pride - famous for comical poverty - Mourad wakes Aram at dawn - sitting on a beautiful white horse - Aram stunned, torn between admiration and suspicion

2. Mourad’s Early Morning Visit to Aram

• Mourad invites Aram to ride the horse - Aram questions how Mourad got it - Aram guesses it’s stolen - Mourad insists riding isn’t stealing - Aram struggles with moral dilemma but joins

3. First Ride Together and Aram’s Reaction

• Mourad takes Aram for a ride - fresh morning air - horse’s speed thrilling - Aram enchanted but anxious about stealing - Mourad’s fearless nature impresses Aram - Aram feels clumsy on horseback

4. Attempts to Ride the Horse Alone

• Mourad allows Aram to ride alone - horse wild and uncontrollable under Aram - runs through vineyard, leaps over vines - Aram falls, horse escapes - Mourad retrieves it calmly - shows his unique bond with animals

5. Meeting with Farmer John Byro

• John Byro, owner of the stolen horse, visits the family - laments about missing horse but trusts Garoghlanian honesty - Mourad and Aram encounter Byro on the road with the horse - Byro praises horse’s resemblance to his but doesn’t accuse

6. Returning the Horse and Farmer’s Forgiveness

• Mourad decides to return the horse - Aram feels conflicted but agrees - horse returned to Byro’s barn - Byro visits family later - mentions horse is stronger and better-tempered - thanks honesty of family - Mourad’s adventure ends with moral restoration

Master Passage

In "The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse" by William Saroyan, the story captures the innocence of childhood, the thrill of adventure, and the moral dilemmas of right and wrong. Set in the context of the Garoghlanian tribe, known for their honesty and pride, the story follows Mourad and Aram as they grapple with their actions after Mourad "borrows" a beautiful white horse. Mourad’s free-spirited nature and his deep bond with the horse contrast with Aram’s internal struggle to reconcile their tribal values with their youthful desire for adventure. The encounter with the horse’s owner, John Byro, highlights themes of trust, forgiveness, and integrity, as Byro refrains from accusing them despite his suspicions. Ultimately, the story celebrates the moral restoration of innocence and underscores the importance of familial values amidst moments of youthful exuberance.