Legends of the Fall

The first novel of this collection begins with a victim, as Cochran lies dying from his beating in Revenge. He is lucky that Mauro and his daughter travel the same road where Cochran was dumped. Cochran is also lucky that Mauro is observant, noticing the vultures waiting for Cochran to die. Cochran thinks of other instances in his life when things just happen to him, as if he has no control, such as his marriage and divorce, and playing tennis for Tibey. Miryea is also a victim. Although she initiates the relationship with Cochran, once Tibey begins to punish her, she never escapes from her victimization. She attempts to regain control of her life by stabbing the man at the whorehouse and by trying to help the autistic children. However, both attempts end badly, and she gives up. She wishes her father could help her, but she does not dare hope that Cochran can save her. Even Tibey feels like a victim. He is a victim of his father's legacy and the poverty of his youth. He escapes the poverty of his youth, but he cannot truly gain access to the wealthy Mexican social class without Miryea. Once he knows he must do something about Cochran and Miryea's affair, he is once again victim, this time to social expectations. He really does not want revenge, but feels he must go through with his ruthless actions.

In The Man Who Gave Up His Name, Nordstrom also feels like a victim. He feels that his life has just happened to him like a dream. The only reason for his marriage to Laura is the chance of it raining one Friday evening. Nordstrom takes no credit for his business success, or rather feels that it is unimportant, and has happened in spite of what he wants out of life. As he struggles to take control of his life, other things happen randomly, such as sex with the girl at the Marblehead house and Ms. Dietrich. Nordstrom feels that the toilet is the only place in his life where he really has control. Nordstrom finds life too surprising, even expected things like a parent's death or Laura's presence at their daughter's graduation. He feels a loss of control as everyone at the graduation party denounces him for trying to give Sonia money to buy a car.

Tristan responds to the tragic events in his life a little differently in Legends of the Fall. He feels responsible for both Samuel's and Susannah's deaths. However, his life is a string of events over which he has little control, although he tries. He retreats to the sea in his grief over Samuel. Tristan knows that if he does not complete the British mission, he will lose the schooner. After that, he bases his life on a serious of coincidences and circumstances for six years. He becomes a true victim when Isabel Two dies and he must spend the first month of his mourning for her in prison.