Although this is set some years ago, in many ways events such as these are the precursors of the humiliation and public judgement that is poured out by reality television. Surprisingly, Robert muses much on the loss of the sun, rather than a good night's sleep, but although the characters are obviously exhausted, McCoy does not dwell on this. The omission leaves the reader somewhat unsettled, as those in charge of the event point to the doctor, nurses, and good food available. Yet one dancer is pregnant and others collapse or faint, so you are aware of the toll of this event. Persall, Steve (April 10, 2008). "Everybody knows Norman". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on April 10, 2008.

Another career peak is reached by Gig Young who, as the master of ceremonies, personifies all the dishonesty, cruelty and pathos of the marathon itself. Bonnie Bedelia and Susannah York also score as different kinds of vulnerable innocents. Michael Sarrazin as Fonda's dance partner serves as the passive instrument that allows Fonda to play out her tortured personal drama. His unchanging wounded puppy dog expression speaks for itself.Horace McCoy, author of the 1935 novel ‘They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?’, had been a bouncer at one of those marathons so he was writing from personal experience. He saw the dance marathons as a perfect metaphor for the futility of existence and Gloria Beatty is the perfect antiheroine for such a bleak vision. She is, in the eyes of her dancing partner, Robert Syverten, the gloomiest person he ever met. She cares about nothing and no one, not even herself. Countless times throughout the novel she says she wishes she were dead. The idea of a deadly dance marathon has existed for centuries. From the 14 th century to the 17 th century, a phenomenon known as “Dance Mania” swept central Europe. Men, women, and children would orchestrate an impromptu, wild, and unstoppable dance, one that would only cease when the participants would cave in from exhaustion. To this day, the exact cause of this outbreak has not been determined but symptoms have been linked with an early form of mass hysteria, where people would join the throng out of fear, or out of a desire to copy. During the Great Depression, what had once been classified as a disturbing psychological occurrence was transformed into a human spectacle when dance marathons became a trend. Participants would shuffle around a dancefloor for hours, carried along by a glimmer of hope that their ordeal would end in a cash prize. Adding to the theatricality of the event, audiences would pay to see the dancers suffer breakdowns and crash to the floor in a heap. The depression of the 1930s led people to desperate measures to survive. The marathon dance craze, which flourished at that time, seemed a simple way for people to earn extra money dancing the hours away for cash, for weeks at a time. But the underside of that craze was filled with a competition and violence unknown to most ballrooms. As the dance goes on, into the second and third week, the crowds grow larger. Newspapers cover the contest. Some couples receive sponsorships from local businesses, usually in the form of clothes. Hollywood personalities arrive to watch and are announced by the promoters. Gloria goads Robert into speaking with a famous director, Frank Borzage. A woman named Mrs. Layden attends the contest regularly and tells Robert that he and Gloria are her favorite couple. She later gets them a sponsorship. A gritty tale from the impoverished America of the 1930s , it certainly is . And its cleverly told by the narrator as he hears the Judge pronounce the Death Sentence . And its certainly got pace .

The novel also explores the nature of reality. The dance marathon is a surreal and nightmarish world, and it is often difficult to distinguish between reality and fantasy. The novel suggests that reality is often a matter of perception, and that what we believe to be true may not be the truth. Discussion Questions for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?The novel explores a number of themes, including the Great Depression, the American Dream, and the nature of reality. The Great Depression is a constant presence in the novel, and it is seen as a time of great hardship and despair. The American Dream is also a central theme, and it is shown to be an illusion for many people. The novel suggests that the American Dream is unattainable for those who are poor and marginalized. The Seasonal Read...: Winter Challenge 2011: Completed Tasks -DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS IN THIS TOPIC Simels, Steve (June 21, 1996). "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. McCoy's novel was more popular abroad than in America when it was published at the height of the Depression. The book was read in the existentialist circles of France. Although the novel had been distributed by underground literary groups during World War II, its first French edition did not appear until 1946. [2]

They Shoot Horses, Don’t They is a novel that speaks to our times: we are inundated with reality shows, where fame and fortune, tragedy and despair are brought to us on a whim and often in the public eye. The public’s livelihoods and fates are broadcast for the world to see, and this sells. Failed actress Gloria is hoping to make it big in Hollywood . The realization this is never gonna happen turns her into a cynic . She hates the World and Everyone in it . She just wants to die . Quite literally .

Published in 1935, They Shoot Horses, Don't They? is almost a perfect Depression-era novel, capturing the despair that so many Americans experienced during that period and demonstrating the lengths to which some people would go for even the tinniest chance at a somewhat better future. The story is set in the world of the dance marathons that were popular at the time. In an age before "reality" television, live audiences watched these competitions closely, rooting on their favorite couples. John Green* - They Shoot Horses, Don't They?". Discogs. 1970. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018 . Retrieved 23 June 2018. Our book group choice for May 2020 is They Shoot Horses Don’t They? by Horace McCoy. The marathon dance craze flourished during the 1930s, but the underside was a competition and violence unknown to most ballrooms—a dark side that Horace McCoy’s classic American novel powerfully captures. The film was screened at the 1970 Cannes Film Festival, but was not entered into the main competition. [13] In the United States, the film was applauded for portraying the Depression era. From the start, Gloria tells Robert that she wishes she were dead, a point she repeats in most of their conversations. Her parents are dead. She ran away to Dallas from a farm in West Texas where her uncle always made passes at her. In Dallas, she tried to commit suicide, then ran away to Hollywood with dreams of being in movies, but is finding only rejection. Robert considers her plain-looking and unlikely to find work as an actress. She tells Robert frequently that she does not have the courage to kill herself.