Speed Bumps

Hey guys, welcome back to my blog. Last week, I wrote about the start of the novel as well as McCarthy’s writing style.  If you haven’t read the first post, I would recommend reading it to understand the basic summary of the novel. In this post, I will continue to analyze the novel and share my thoughts and feelings regarding the plot. 

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Going into this week, I am excited to read more of The Road, as it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. The man and the boy had just encountered a group of "bad guys" when I stopped reading. Their strength of character and devotion to one another is tested as they strive for survival in this scene. Upon being spotted by one of their enemies, the man immediately

"[cocks] the pistol and [holds] it on the man" (65).

His swift reaction and lack of consideration showcases his devotion to his son. He is willing to defy the moral laws of life to protect his only living family. When the enemy tries to harm the boy, the man instantly and without hesitation, kills the foe. He then proceeds to run towards the woods with the boy. This event kick starts the next phase of their journey. Before this scene, the two characters are close to one another. However, this event creates cracks within their foundation as a family of “good people”. The rest of this section is full of similar events where their determination to remain good is put to the test.  

In this new world, laws are nonexistent. No government enacts the rules of the land. It's up to the remaining citizens to create laws for life. Unfortunately, most of the remaining humans are corrupt. They chose to live in anarchy by enslaving people for food or sexual violence. The man and the boy, however, live with moral laws still in mine. They avoid harming other people and try to live as reclusively as possible. This section of the novel tests their ability to remain good as they are pushed to their physical limit. For instance, following the scene I describe above, the boy questions,

“Are we still the good guys.” His father answers, “Yes. We’re still the good guys” (69).

Witnessing the killing of another human being rattles the boy as he doesn’t know how to act. He questions his purity and needs validation from his father to know if he is still a good person. I think it's interesting how McCarthy creates a sense of right or wrong in this new world despite the obvious hardships humankind faces. Readers know that killing another person for food is bad. But if you are starving and your only choice is to turn to cannibalism, would you do it? Or would you abide by the old rules of society? The man and boy choose the latter which creates a barrier between them and the rest of society. By living up to the laws of the old world, the man often struggles between doing what is right and what is necessary. For instance, as the boy and man walk through the woods, they hear a dog. The dog is a potential food source, but the boy begs the man not to kill it. Despite their dire situation and lack of food the man

 "[looks] down at the boy. Shivering in his coats. He [bends] over and [kisses] him on his gritty brow. [I] wont hurt the dog, he [says]. I promise.” (70).

This quote again showcases the man’s dedication to his son. He is willing to let them starve instead of upsetting the boy by killing the dog. His need to remain "good" in the eyes of his child pushes him to act without thinking of their crippling situation. Their relationship is more important to the man than death. He is willing to die of starvation before harming another living creature for the sake of the boy. 

As the section goes on, their situation only continues to grow worse. After losing all their supplies in their haste to get away from the enemies, the man and the boy find themselves near death. When they spot a farmhouse in the distance, the man decides to risk it and search for food. He knows there could be other people in it, but they need food desperately. Upon entering the house they encounter people enslaved for food. The boy and man immediately flee the scene and run back to the woods.  After the scene, the boy asks 

“We wouldnt ever eat anybody, would we? 

No. Of course not. 

Even if we were starving? 

We’re starving now. 

You said we werent. 

I said we werent dying. I didnt say we werent starving 

But we wouldnt. 

No. We wouldnt. 

No matter what.

No. No matter what. 

Because we’re the good guys. 

Yes” (109). 

The boy again needs that validation from his father to know if he is still a good guy. He feels guilty for leaving those people knowing their outcome. The man tries to reassure the boy by promising that they will never eat another human. Within that promise, the man also vows to remain moral and never succumb to darkness.

This section of the novel embodies the struggle of remaining good in a world where being bad is easier. The man and the boy know that they have to live in the light for the sake of their relationship. If they were to succumb to the darkness, their bond as father and son would be ruined. They would no longer be a family who “[carries] the fire” as their determination to never give up would be lost the moment they give in. The love they share for one another is embodied by their perseverance and strength of character. Without it, they are no better than the tyrants who enslave people for food.

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Thank you for reading this post. I hope you all enjoyed it! Tune in next week to learn more about their journey along the road.