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The parallel between the horse and Sonny (Redford)


While the story is believable, there's clearly an analogy between the horse and Sonny. The horse's story is Sonny's story. When he talks about what the horse has been through and his desire to set it free, he's also talking about himself, a former champion, who can't stand his current situation. He too is leading a "pampered" life, but is no more than a trained horse, used to sell a product he doesn't even use, sedated by a drug like the horse -- alcohol -- and having no sex or family life. He wants the chance to be free and to start a new life, even if he's not sure what it will bring or whether he has what it takes to make it. But he has to try because anything's better than the living death he was experiencing.

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