What effect do colonialism and modernization have on an ancient and traditional culture? Throughout history, the result of new cultures or traditions has always created problems for old ones. Unfortunately, this results in the destruction of the old one. Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible and Cormac McCarthy's All The Pretty Horses address this question through its plethora of themes and symbols. The Poisonwood Bible's underlying theme throughout the novel is the idea that arrogance makes Westerners indifferent to how third world countries are affected by colonialism. The title of the book is, in itself, a demonstration of how the Christian religion and predominantly Western culture can cause destruction and pain when imposed on the Congolese by American Baptists. Similarly, in All The Pretty Horses, Western culture endangers the cowboys. The idea of ​​Western arrogance gives way to secondary themes and symbols that all revolve around the effect that Nathan and the United States had on the individuals inhabiting the Congo before and after its independence or that the United States have about individuals following the ways of a cowboy. Barbara Kingsolver portrays Adah as someone who struggles with the idea of ​​absolute justice during her time in the Congo. Contrary to Nathan's belief that he can right every wrong with his own right, Adah has learned from her experience with the villagers that justice for all is impossible to achieve. Just like how Jimmy Blevins learned he had to leave and join John Grady. Adah's most striking understanding of this concept comes from the swarming ants: "They cross the forest and the valley in columns a hundred meters in diameter and several kilometers long...... in the middle of a paper....... Out of arrogance, the American government, like Nathan, imposes its policies and principles on the Congo. Indeed, the nation is plunged into political and social turmoil. This is called colonialism which was used in Congo, but which, unfortunately, tortured people by forcing them to be different. Modernization, similar to colonialism, is being taken advantage of in America. Cars, trains and other advanced means of transportation are used and horses are forgotten, which John Grady Cole does not like. It is for this reason that he leaves for a completely new country in search of ways to preserve his sense of security. All the protagonists in both books are fleeing to save themselves from the invasion of Western culture and progress. Works Cited Cormac McCarthy. All the pretty horses. New York: 1992miramesahigh.enschool.org/.../AP%20Novel%20Review%20Book%20Titles_2_.doc