Cities of the Plain (The Border Trilogy, #3) Summary & Key Insights

Cormac McCarthy's Cities of the Plain, the concluding volume of his Border Trilogy, follows the intertwined destinies of John Grady Cole and his friend, now deceased, Lacey Rawlins, through the lens of Rawlins' younger brother, Bobby. Unlike the previous novels, which focused primarily on Cole's journey, Cities of the Plain shifts perspective, exploring themes of memory, loss, and the enduring power of the past.

The narrative unfolds largely through Bobby's recollections, triggered by his encounter with a mysterious woman, Alfonsa, in Mexico. Alfonsa, a captivating and enigmatic figure, represents a sensual, yet ultimately destructive force. Bobby, still grappling with the loss of his brother, seeks solace and meaning in her company, but their relationship proves turbulent and ultimately tragic. The novel revisits key moments from the lives of Cole and Rawlins, particularly their time spent in Mexico, offering a retrospective and emotionally charged perspective.

Through Alfonsa's stories and Bobby's own experiences, the novel reveals more about Cole and Rawlins' shared past. Their earlier adventures, described in previous novels, are now seen through a filter of loss and regret. We learn more about the complexities of their bond and witness the psychological scars left by their experiences. The harsh realities of violence and the precariousness of life are further emphasized through flashbacks detailing instances of brutality, both witnessed and perpetrated.

A central theme is the cyclical nature of violence and its corrosive effect on the human spirit. The events in Cities of the Plain are interwoven with flashbacks illustrating the brutal realities of the Mexican Revolution and the moral ambiguities of the characters' actions. The novel highlights the lasting impact of trauma, examining how the characters struggle to reconcile with their pasts and the choices they’ve made. Even the seemingly idyllic landscape of the Mexican countryside cannot fully mask the underlying brutality and inherent dangers.

Ultimately, Cities of the Plain lacks the epic scope of the previous books, focusing instead on a more intimate exploration of memory and grief. Bobby's search for understanding serves as a framework for reflecting on the lives of Cole and Rawlins, and their shared journey. While the conclusion offers little in the way of traditional resolution, it provides a poignant and melancholic meditation on the enduring power of the past and the complexities of human relationships in the face of loss and trauma. The characters’ fates are left largely unresolved, forcing the reader to confront the ambiguous and often unsatisfying nature of life itself.