Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

5 comments:

Unknown said...

McCarthy describes the father in this story to be a very protective but demanding character. But one thing is for sure, the father is uncertain about what is real and non-existing. What I'm wondering is, does he believe in God? At the begining of the book, he asks himself if he does believe in God and such, but later on, he says, "I was appointed to do that by God". Does he have any beliefs? Does he have any hope in God to help them in their time in need?

Osakpolo Igiede said...

This book started out very boring and slow... But as I started to read more I realized that the boy worries a lot about being alone. "Are we going to die?..No not for sometime... If I die will you come with me" (10-1). Shows that for a boy of his age he is worried about dying because he is starting to realize that no one else is here besides him and Papa. I think that McCarthy is illuminating the dangers that Papa and the boy may go through in the near future because death can come knocking at any of their doors at anytime. This prediction actually comes true as Papa is getting sick but the boy doesn't know.

Osakpolo Igiede said...

McCarthy also uses the boy as a metaphor because when ever Papa does a certain action "The boy sat there watching everything" (17). This can show that between the two of them there is nothing that they can do in secret without having the other watching their every move. Also could the boy be watching Papa to maybe grow up one day to be like him? If Papa does die from being sick will the boy use all of the skills that he has seen Papa use to good use?

Unknown said...

Draft Inquiry Questions
- How does McCarthy use extreme tragedy and struggle in a world where no one expects to live in, to explore the idea of being good and evil?
- Why/How does McCarthy use fear to further elaborate the father’s behavior to his surroundings, as well as the relationship he has with his son?

Osakpolo Igiede said...

Draft Inquiry Questions

How does Cormac McCarthy use flashbacks to convey the past, escaping our destinies?

How does Cormac McCarthy use fire to tell the difference between good guys and bad guys?