Horses as a metaphor for Roslyn

Roslyn's a wild, pure, childlike soul. Beautiful on the inside and out. Sure, everyone is attracted to her, especially men. But, they want her all for themselves.

All she wants is to be loved. Have someone who 'gets' her and allows her to be free. Her beauty has been neglected, used and bought and sold. She's fed up with that.

At first Gabe 'gets' her. He wants her, arranges for her to stay at the "ranch". Both men, and the woman are part of "wrangling" her to stay. With soft talk, promises, booze and dancing she is pursuaded to stay. She's happy at first. Gabe does whatever she wants, he's smitten.

But, then life intervenes. She sees the ugly, dirty side to cowboy life. Rough dangerous work, animals being used for violent reasons. Her sweet, pure heart is all torn up. First when the cowboy is injured twice during the rodeo. Then, when she finds out why the horses are being hunted.

Marilyn's life is just like that.Neglected by a mentally ill mother, she's left with a woman who has designs on the girl. She's determined to fill her head with being a movie star. When a male border in their home rapes her for the first time, the woman doesn't believe little Norma. It's another disappointment in her life.

Sure people want Norma, but they don't care. She's married off to a man at age 16. No one really considers what Norma wants. She is used, neglected and manipulated her whole life. Even her death was a manipulation. Whatever pure soul and sweetness was left in her was drowned out with booze, pills and meaningless sex.

Norma was a beautiful wild mustang who was caught, saddle broke and used.