Family Troubles

Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I hope you all have enjoyed this journey as much as I have. In the last post, I talked a lot about the struggle of remaining moral in a world where being sinful is easier. Throughout that post, I also briefly analyzed the two main characters. However, I never dove deep into their characterization. This post is going to focus heavily on how the two characters interact with one another as well as my opinions on each of them. _________________________________________________

At the end of the last section, the man and the boy encounter a bunker. The bunker has saved them from starvation and also gives them hope for the future. Although the man is at first happy to have encountered the bunker he later

“[wishes] they’d never found this refuge. Some part of him always [wishes] it to be over” (130).

The man often struggles between wanting to die and wanting to live. I feel the only reason he is still living is because of his son. Most people along the road do not have people to rely on. The man and the boy rely heavily on each other. Without the other, they would not be able to continue emotionally let alone physically. The constant strain of survival they face each day ultimately takes a toll on their mental and physical health. The man pretends to be this strong and indestructible for his son. However, on the inside, he is anything but formidable. For instance, upon waking up in a fit of coughing the man says

“I am going to die. …. Tell me how I am to do that” (148).

This again reinforces the idea that the man does not wish to continue living. He asks himself how he can die emphasizing the fact that he wishes to. His son is his only source of strength and the only reason he remains alive. 

The boy on the other fears death. Throughout the novel, he repeatedly asks his father “are we going to die?” He needs the reassurance his father offers to feel secure. The boy’s will to live depends solely on his father. Without him, he would not be able to survive. Despite his fear of death, the boy remains strong and resilient, often refusing to admit his hunger to his father. He wishes to appear strong in the eyes of his father regardless of his fears and weaknesses. One of his major weaknesses is his compassionate nature. For example, on the road, the man and boy encounter an old man. While the man wishes to continue without a second thought, the boy

“[squats] and [puts] a hand on his shoulder. He's scared, Papa. The man is scared” (136).

The man begrudging gives the old man food and treats him to dinner. This showcases how the boy’s top priority is being a good guy. He wants to ensure that he and his father are helping people and “carrying the fire.” His compassionate nature often overshadows his survival instincts. His weakness will eventually lead to his downfall. 

In a way, the two characters in this novel are foils of one another. The scene I describe above showcases their different opinions. The man wants to focus solely on their survival while the boy concerns himself with the survival of the old man. He feels for the old man and stresses over his future while the man is only concerned with the life of his son. Furthermore, the man and the boy differ in their idea of right vs. wrong. In the first section of the novel, I mention a scene where the man kills another human being. The boy has difficulty accepting the action as he believes they have done something wrong. The man, on the other hand, believes he did the right thing for their survival. 

The boy doesn’t seem to understand that the man is acting as a father as well as a protector. This is often where their opinions differ. For instance, upon spotting a house in the distance, the man suggests

“...to take a look.” The boy, however “[doesn’t] want to” (172).

The man knows that they need food desperately. As a father and his protector, the man decides to take a look anyway despite the risk and the boy’s hesitation. Their opposite opinions showcase their character foil and their different instincts of survival. The man takes the necessary risks needed for their survival while the boy lets his fear get in the way. Their difference of opinion balances out. Without the other, their actions would cause their destruction. Without the other, the man would take to many unnecessary risks while the boy would be ruled by his fear.

After reading a majority of The Road, I can confidently say that this is one of my favorite literary novels. The plot has kept me interested throughout and the characters are unique. The man’s determination for survival and the love he has for his son overshadows the griminess of their world. I love how the character converse. The simple phrases give more insight into their thoughts than one would think. It forces me to stop and think more about their conversations. The limited background knowledge we have also forces readers to over-analysis every small detail.

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Thank you all for reading my blog! Tune in next week to continue this journey!