In my novel The Road by Cormac McCarthy, I have encountered several quotes that stands out to me and are important contribution to the novel:
"He's going to die. We can't share what we have or we'll die too" (pg 52)
This quote is significant because during the trip, the Man and the Boy encounters a man slouching on the side of the road; dying after being strucked by lightening. The Boy wanted to help him but the Man said they couldn't because of their limited amount of resources, if they share some then they will have less resources and will die eventually. In this situation it is "every man for themselves", meaning that no matter what happens the Man will try everything he can to make sure both himself and the Boy survives, without helping anyone out so they will have enough resources to make it to the east coast.
'"Sooner or later they will catch us and they will kill us. They will rape me. They'll rape him. They are going to rape us and kill us and eat us"' (pg 56)
This is the quote that the Man's wife said before she left him and the Boy to commit suicide. His wife didn't want to go to the east coast with them because she is skeptical that there is nothing there and will get killed before they arrive at the east coast. This is significantly important to the novel because after the apocalyptic disaster, all the resources have ran out and the majority of the population became mindless savages and cannibals.
"Sometimes the child would question him questions about the world that for him was not even a memory" (pg 53)
The Boy was at a very young age when the apocalyptic disaster hit, and he has no memory of the world before the disaster since he was too young to remember the past. He frequently questions the Man about the world before the disaster because he wants to know what it looked like before everything was grey and filled with ashes. This is important because the Man doesn't want to sadden the the Boy by filling him with memories from which the Boy doesn't remember. He wants him to think of the past because there is no past since it is wiped out by the disaster.
Hey Andrew,
ReplyDeleteGreat interpretation! There's a few points that I'd like to add. Because of the fact that both The Man and The Boy do not have names, the author is relating these people with us, the readers, and is thus revealing to us the true nature of humans. In the first quote, while it's logically correct that they will die if they share the resources they gathered, The Man's instant instant rejection of the notion of even trying to help dying man itself can be seen as a heartless action, and may be showing us that humans are selfish beings. While it was possible for The Man and The Boy to try to help this dying man, they did not even bother because the dying man would bring benefit to them, which again shows a sense of greed. The author again hints at the true nature of man with the second quote, which even states that the men themselves have become creatures that have been driven mad and would "rape [them] and kill [them] and eat [them]". As for the third quote, I think that your interpretation was spot on, and I think that the author is using this memory as a way to contrast the difference between the old world and this new world where people are devoid of their fake emotions.
In short words the quotes you have provided gave me great insight behind the theme of your novel. Post apocalyptic books, movies, and even games always get me to thinking about things that I'd rather not, and these quotes and explanations have stirred in my mind these very thoughts I just explained. All I have to say is that you are very skilled in selecting and analyzing quotes from your novel, having not read the book I have come to great insight into the plot and theme of your novel.
ReplyDeleteHey Andrew!
ReplyDeleteTo agree with what Francis commented, I believe that the fact the these two main characters remain anonymous creates an ominous and depressive atmosphere around the book. Maybe because in the apocalyptic environment, their names are no longer important. The Man and the Boy are mere humans whose only purpose is to only survive, because maybe things such as being famous or successful is no longer significant.
Which contributes to why the Man discourages the Boy from helping the dying man on the road. To the reader, and to the dying man, it may seem selfish, however the Man is also only looking out for the Boy, not only himself.
It's probably because the survival of children preserves the future. So another thing you can consider is that the reason why the Man finds it more important for him and the Boy to survive is because, as you have mentioned, the boy has never seen the world before the disaster. If the two successfully reach the east coast, the Boy will experience hope within a catastrophic world.
On the other hand, the Man refrains the Boy from knowing about the world in the past because it might inspire a lot of confidence within the Boy, which might result into downfall if the two shall encounter failure.
Just something to think about :)
Hey Andrew,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post did it occur to me that mankind goes through challenges and dilemmas constantly; our lives are ultimately, journeys. Men are benign, no doubt - but can also be hard-hearted when they are forced to make the decision between themselves or others. At times, these decisions must be made without much a choice.
The Man, unquestionably, does exhibit an aura of cruelty for refusing to help the man struck by lightening, for certainly there are individuals who would be willing to share their resources with others, even if it means there will not be any left for themselves. On the other hand however, the Man is not totally at fault. The apocalyptic disaster had physically torn the world apart, even more so to the hearts of men. McCarthy is describing the age where survival is key; “the survival of the fittest”. The Man, just like the Boy, is not heartless; they have no choice but to grab onto their slightest chances of survival in this time of ruins where death lurks nearby.
In a world stricken with pessimistic views, as described by your second quote, the Man and the Boy reflect strands of hope as they determinedly weave their way through their uneasy journey. McCarthy may have removed names from characters to emphasize the truth that men have lost their identity; their hope or passion. Furthermore, they are lost within themselves because of challenges, as symbolized by the apocalyptic disaster. They are trying to find safety, trying to find themselves, as represented by this journey.
Lastly, your third quote confirms the fact that compassion still lies in the hearts of man. By not filling the Boy with memories of the past, like you said, the Man is doing him a kind favour. By wanting the Boy to think on his own what the past was like, the Man is training the Boy to be independent and strong mentally – to not be relying on others when in their insecure world, nothing and nobody could be relied on except for their own selves.
Good post, Andrew!
Hey Andrew,
ReplyDeleteYou did a really good job on your quote analysis. The three quotes you chose were really strong in my opinion and they really gave me a clear view on what your book is about. Your first quote is really strong because the Boy and the Man have to choose weather or not they want to help the other man or live longer by helping themselves. The second quote you chose is very jaw-dropping. That is a horrible thing to be happening to society and I feel terrible that the Boys mother comitted suicide. Finally your last quote is a very sad quote in my opinion, since the Boy never got to see what the world looked like before the apocalyptic disaster. This is very unfortunate for the Boy, his mind is probably always thinking about what the Earth used to be like and that is why he asks the Man those questions. Once again really good quote analysis, keep reading!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYour selection of quotes provided a very authentic replication of the atmosphere and themes central to your novel. The first quote explicitly addresses the idea of competition versus distribution through differentiating the act of protecting the welfare of others from the act of protecting only the welfare of self, whilst neglecting others. By portraying cruelty, McCarthy demonstrates the hostilities that support for Darwinism or an “every man for themselves” belief might eventually promote. As such, McCarthy provides negative social commentary against our tendency to become indifferent regarding the treatment of others, as suggested by another commenter on your previous post. Your second quote features the use of repetition in the form of an anaphora and to an extent, epistrophe. The emphasis on the words “they will” and “us” communicate an irony essential to the message. The repeated words and phrases suggest collectivism, whereas the actual meaning refer to selfishness. With the use of irony, the second quote colourfully reinforces this theme of supporting others, based on the opposition of ideas.
ReplyDelete(I apologize that my I commented on your ideas twice.)
Hey Yan, your book seems very interesting; it sounds like something one would read in Ms. Tyre's class, what with all the apocalyptical destruction and the fall of civilization. Just a thought, but the first quote is probably also used as emphasis on how desperate their situation is. It could also serve to foreshadow events that might come in the future.
ReplyDelete