William Saroyan was a writer born in 1908 and died in 1981. He was Armenian-American and wrote novels, plays, and short stories. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1940 and an Academy Award in 1943. He wrote about Armenian immigrant life in California and his notable works include ‘The Armenian and the Armenian’, ‘My Heart’s in the Highlands’, ‘The Time of Your Life’, ‘My Name is Aram’ and ‘The Human Comedy’.
‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’ is a story from his collection of short stories ‘My Name is Aram’, published in 1940. The story is about two boys, Aram and Mourad, who come from a poor family in the Garoghlanian tribe of Armenia. The tribe is known for their truth and honesty.
Characters of the Story
1)Aram (the Narrator)-A 9 year old boy.
2)Mourad-13 year old cousin of Aram.Lively and crazy.Fond ofAram. Steals a white horse.Can
Handle the horse.
3)John Byro-A farmer and theowner of the beautiful white horse stolen by Mourad.
4)Uncle Khosrove-Aram’suncle.Is crazy,short tempered and of irritable nature.
Summary
“The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse” is a short story written by the Armenian-American writer William Saroyan. The story is set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and explores themes of family, trust, honour, and innocence.
Here we present the summer of a beautiful white horse summary for all of my readers to comprehend. The story revolves around two Armenian boys – Aram, the 9-year-old narrator, and Mourad, his older cousin. The Garoghlanian family, to which both boys belong, is known for its honesty and trustworthiness. However, Mourad, who is considered the most dynamic member of the family, surprises Aram one morning by showing up with a beautiful white horse. Aram, being naive and trusting, doesn’t question the origin of the horse initially and is enchanted by it.
Upon inquiry, Mourad tells Aram that he bought the horse from a farmer. But Aram soon finds out that the horse actually belongs to John Byro, another Armenian farmer in the area. Realizing the truth, Aram is torn between the thrill of riding the horse and the moral code of his family.
As the story progresses, Mourad explains that he didn’t steal the horse; he simply took it without asking. He’s convinced that his desire to ride was so powerful that it went beyond the confines of morality. He planned to return the horse once he had satisfied his longing.
John Byro, the rightful owner of the horse, eventually meets the boys but pretends not to recognize the horse, possibly because of his deep respect for the Garoghlanian family’s reputation. He seems to be giving Mourad the chance to make things right on his own.
In the end, realizing the weight of their actions and the potential tarnish on their family’s honour, the boys return the horse to John Byro, who gratefully acknowledges their honesty.
The story is a poignant reflection on childhood innocence, the grey areas of morality, and the profound ties of family and honour.
Themes
In William Saroyan’s “The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse,” the story explores several themes that are relevant to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Overall, “The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse” is a poignant story that speaks to the human experience. Through its exploration of themes such as innocence and youth, morality and ethics, and dreams versus reality, the story challenges readers to confront their own beliefs and values. Through the struggles of its characters, the story reminds us that life is complex, and that the choices we make have consequences that can be both good and bad.
- Innocence and Youth: The first theme that is evident in the story is innocence and youth. Aram, the young boy in the story, represents innocence and purity in his actions and thoughts. His immediate trust in his cousin Mourad and the romanticized idea of riding the horse showcase the untainted perspective of youth. This innocence is both a source of joy, as in the exhilarating horse rides, and pain, as in the eventual realization of the horse’s true origins.
- Morality and Ethics:Another theme that the story explores is morality and ethics. Mourad’s decision to steal, or “borrow,” the horse creates a conflict between individual desire and moral rectitude. This theme is especially pronounced when juxtaposed with the tribe’s history of thievery and the family’s pride in never having stolen anything. The story forces readers to question the boundaries of morality and what constitutes right or wrong. The ethical dilemma presented in the story is one that is relevant to all individuals, as everyone must grapple with the question of whether to follow their desires or their moral compass.
- Dreams vs. Reality:The theme of dreams versus reality is also present in the story. Aram’s dream of riding a horse becomes a reality, but not in the way he imagined. The contrast between his dream and the reality of the situation, such as the horse being stolen and the harsh reality of the world that surrounds him, highlights the struggle between hope and disappointment. This theme is universal, as everyone has experienced the disappointment of the real world not living up to their aspirations and dreams.
One of the most prominent themes in the story is the bittersweet nature of growing up. Aram, the protagonist, is a young boy on the cusp of adolescence, struggling to come to terms with the harsh realities of the world around him. Throughout the course of the narrative, he is forced to confront difficult truths about himself and the people he loves, ultimately learning that life is not always fair and that sometimes, the right thing to do is not always the easiest.
- Family and Community Ties: In addition to this, the story also touches upon the deep-seated values of community and family. Aram and Mourad’s relationship is a testament to the strength of family ties, while the respect that their family commands within the community speaks to the importance of preserving mutual respect and trust. John Byro’s decision not to directly accuse the family of theft, despite his suspicions, is a nod to the intricate web of social norms and expectations that exist within tight-knit communities.
- Cultural Identity: Cultural identity is another key theme that is explored in “The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse.” The novella provides a glimpse into the Armenian community in California, touching upon tribal customs, values, and the importance of reputation within the community. By doing so, it highlights the significance of cultural heritage and the ways in which it shapes an individual’s sense of self.
Overall, “The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse” is a beautifully crafted story that delves deep into the complexities of the human experience. Through its exploration of morality, growing up, community, family, and cultural identity, it offers readers a profound and insightful look at the world around us and the ways in which we navigate it.
Question and Answers
Q1. Which tribe did Aram belong to? What was the image of his tribe?
Ans. Aram belonged to the Garoghlanian tribe. Garoghlanian tribe were the natives of Armenia. Garoghlanian tribe was once rich but due to war they had to run away from their homeland .They came and settled in Assyria. Here, they lived in poverty. This tribe was famous for their trust and honesty. They believed in right and wrong. They knew the art of living .They were contended with whatever they had. They were hospitable. They were hospitable men of simple faith. Members of their tribe were famous for their honesty. None of them would deceive or cheat anybody in the world.
Q2. Why did Aram find it hard to believe that Mourad had stolen the horse?
Ans. The narrator couldn’t believe that his cousin Mourad had stolen horse because they belonged to the Garoghlanian tribe. This tribe was famous for their trust and honesty. They believed in right and wrong. They knew the art of living .They were contended with whatever they had. They were hospitable. They were hospitable men of simple faith. Members of their tribe were famous for their honesty. None of them could think of deceiving anybody in the world.
Q3. What are the unique traits of Garoghlanian tribe?
Ans. The Garoghlanians were men of simple faith. They were contended with their guests with coffee and tobacco. They knew the art of living, which is the celebration of being alive. Though poor, they were famous for their trust and honesty. They were proud of their honesty. They believed in right and wrong. None of them could think of deceiving anybody in the world.
Q4. Give a short description of the narrator’s uncle Khosrove.
Ans. The narrator’s uncle Khosrove was a crazy person. He was physically a big man. He had a powerful head with black hair. He had large moustache. He was a man of furious temper .He was irritable in nature. He was very impatient .He often stopped anyone from talking by shouting, “It is no harm; pay no attention to it.”
Q5. Who was John Byro? What problem was he facing these days?
Ans. John Byro was an Assyrian farmer. He was a regular visitor to the narrator’s family. His white horse had been stolen the previous month. His surrey (a light four-wheeled carriage)was of no use without the horse. Now, he has to walk on foot if he wants to travel somewhere.
Q6.Why was Aram unwilling to return the horse so soon?
Ans: Aram was crazy for horse and he wanted to learn horse riding at all costs. The horse would not let him to ride over it and hence he was unwilling to return the horse at least till he would learn to ride it.
Q7. What do you think induced(encourage) the boys to return the horse to its owner?
Ans. One morning John Byro visited the deserted vineyard garden where the boys have hid the horse.John Byro recognized his horse. Still,it was difficult for John Byro to believe that the boys could have stolen his horse because their family was well-known for honesty. So, John Byro said that the horse must be the twin of his horse. The boys realised that John Byro had become suspicious. So, the boys decided to return the horse to its owner.
Q8.Where had Mourad been hiding the horse?
Answer: Mourad had been hiding the horse in the barn of a deserted vineyard which was owned by a farmer named Fetvajian.
Q9. Why did the narrator insist on keeping the stolen horse for a year? Why did Mourad oppose the idea?
Ans. The narrator didn’t want to give the horse back to its owner until he learnt to ride. Mourad said that it would take him a year to learn how to ride. The narrator insisted on keeping the horse for a year. But Mourad insisted that the horse must go back to its original owner, John Byro. He did not want that a member of the Garoghlanian family should be accused (blamed) of stealing.
Q10. Describe the narrator’s experience of early morning ride with his cousin Mourad.
OR
What did the farmer John Byro tell the two boys when one day they accidentally met him with his horse in their custody?
Ans. It was summer. One day early morning, Mourad came while sitting on a beautiful white horse. He invited the narrator to enjoy a ride. The narrator got ready and leaped onto the horse behind Mourad. In less than three minutes the horse run across a field of dry grass to an irrigation ditch. He crossed the ditch on the horse. Five minutes later he returned. Now it was the narrator’s turn to ride alone. When he got onto the back of the horse, it ran down the road to a vineyard instead of running across the field to the irrigation ditch. It began to leap over vines. After jumping over seven vines , the narrator fell off. The horse kept running, and then disappeared. It took Mourad half an hour to trace the horse and bring it back.
Q11.Why was it difficult for Aram to believe the sight of his cousin Mourad with the beautiful white horse?
Ans: When Aram looked through the window, he saw his cousin Mourad riding a beautiful white horse The sight was very difficult for him to believe because of two reasons:
First, the whole of the Garoghlonian family were extremely poor .So, it was not possible for Mourad to buy that horse.
Secondly,it would mean that Mourad had stolen that horse. But that was also not possible, because the Garoghlonian family was very much famous for their honesty .
Q12.What did John Byro tell Aram’s mother and Uncle Khosrove when he got his horse back?
Answer: After John Byro got his horse back mysteriously one day, he came to Aram’s house and told Aram’s mother and Uncle Khosrove that he did not know what to think about the whole matter. It was because the horse was stronger that ever and was better tempered too and therefore he thanked God.
Q13.What points were put forward by Aram in defense of Mourad’s act of stealing the horse?
OR
Which excuses were given by Aram to himself for taking a ride on the horse despite knowing fully the truth about the theft of the horse by Mourad?
Answer: Aram argued to himself that stealing a horse for a ride was not the same thing as stealing something else, such as money. And then he went a little ahead by saying that if one was so much crazy about horses the way Mourad and he himself were, it was not stealing at all. It would not become stealing until they offered to sell the horse and he was sure that last thing they would never be doing.
Q14.Why was Aram unwilling to return the horse so soon?
Ans: Aram was crazy for horse and he wanted to learn horse riding at all costs. The horse would not let him to ride over it and hence he was unwilling to return the horse at least till he would learn to ride it.
Q15.Compare and contrast the character of Aram and Mourad.
Answer: Aram is a curious and imaginative character, while Mourad is bold and impulsive. Despite these differences, their close bond as cousins allows them to support and learn from each other throughout their adventures.
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