Motif of the Cypress Tree
Under the cypress tree at the Tiflin ranch, pigs are slaughtered. When something is near death, the cypress tree is mentioned, so it is a clear symbol of death. Classically, a cypress tree is the symbol of mourning which is also related to death. One time Jody accidentally found himself thinking of the Red Pony under the tree. Later on, the pony died.
Allegory of the Leader of the People
While Jody's grandfather was visiting the ranch, he tells Jody that the old west "is finished." Jesus used these words before he died on the cross. When Jesus speaks these words, he is drinking wine. Similarly, the grandfather soon drank lemonade that Jody had made him. This allegory deepens the meaning of the end of the book because it reveals that the old west is truly finished just like Jesus was killed.
The Symbol of the Buzzards
The symbol of Buzzards is used throughout the story to signify death. When an animal dies, the buzzards are the first to start feasting on the corpse. When the Red Pony dies, Jody notices the flock of Buzzards flying after the Red Pony's tracks which clearly indicated that the horse was dead.
The Symbol of the Red Pony's Coat
Jody is obsessed with the Red Pony's vivid red coat and is even worried that rain would ruin it. When the horse is healthy, the horse is red. When the pony's fur becomes ruff and loses the vividness of the coat from being sick, Jody finally realizes the horse will die. The red coat signified life while the lack of a red coat signified death.
Symbolism of the Old Horse Easter
Easter is an old horse of Jody's father and is let out to the pasture. The horse is deemed useless and is mentioned so by Jody's father numerous times. Easter is a symbol of lack of value on the ranch because it is too old to give anything of use to the family.
