The Road Essay Example
The Road Essay Example

The Road Essay Example

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  • Pages: 5 (1187 words)
  • Published: April 27, 2017
  • Type: Article
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In Greek mythology, Prometheus, a Titan, defied Zeus's orders and stole fire for mankind. As punishment, Prometheus was bound to a rock while an eagle consumed his liver each day. Yet, his liver would regenerate and be devoured again the following day. Although this torment did not result in Prometheus's demise, it served as a consequence of his act of bestowing fire upon humans. This situation reflects the theme found in Cormac McCarthy's novel, The Road, where the main characters carry the fire on behalf of humanity. Throughout the book, McCarthy presents "carrying the fire" as a recurring symbol that elucidates why the father and son persevere in their brutal world. It could function as an impolite manner to motivate the child to persist even after his father's passing or possess a deeper significance connected to God and moral righteousness.

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Despite the fact that fire was the element responsible for the destruction and demise of the world, it is intriguing why it remains as their only source of hope. While fire brought death to many, it paradoxically serves as the reason for survival for the father and son. This theme resonates with the mythological story of Prometheus Carrying The Fire to Mankind. Set in a post-apocalyptic setting after a comet collision ignited the Earth and its inhabitants, The Road portrays a desolate, solitary, and hostile planet.

In McCarthy's work, there are various morbid scenes that depict disturbing imagery, such as "A charred human infant headless and gutted and blackening on the spit" (198). These scenes help introduce the antagonistic "bad guys" and the protagonist "good guys" in the story. The road presents a key principle that distinguishe

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between the "good guys" and the "bad guys". In a conversation between the father and the man, the boy asks a moral question: [Boy:] We wouldn’t eat anybody, would we? [Man:] No.

Although they are extremely hungry, the man and his son choose not to engage in cannibalism because they identify themselves as "the good guys" (129), suggesting that those who eat human flesh are seen as the villains. Conversely, committing theft or aiding others does not necessarily categorize someone as a bad individual. In multiple occasions throughout the book, the father declines assistance to those in need and even turns to stealing.

Although the father enters the prisoners' house without offering assistance, he is still perceived as a "good guy" due to his feelings of guilt. In a separate instance, he apprehends the thief who stole the cart and disrobes him in front of others, rendering him exposed.

The text emphasizes the similarities between guilt-causing actions and individuals who "carry the fire," representing those with strong moral values. Conversely, there are people who prioritize their own self-interest and do not "carry the fire." The presence of God is also important in The Road, although it is explicitly mentioned only towards the end of the novel (except for occasional exclamations by the man). A noteworthy moment arises when the boy meets a woman who warmly embraces him and shares her joy. She occasionally discusses God with him.

Even though God's intervention is only apparent at the end of the book, it is clear throughout as He guides and supports the father and son. Whenever they are close to starving or dying, a higher force comes in to show them

the correct path. Furthermore, they are lucky enough to find multiple crates containing canned food while digging up a bunker during their trip.

What is the likelihood of discovering an almost infinite amount of supplies in a world where there are scarcely any? It is either an extraordinary stroke of luck for both the man and the boy, or there is some form of divine intervention leading them on their path, which seems more plausible. Another instance where the presence of god and religion is evident in the book is after the horrifying scene in the basement. Seeking refuge in a barn, they witness disturbing sights such as "a man with his legs amputated up to his hips, with the stumps blackened and burnt" (110), but ultimately find safety.

While the boy is resting in the barn, the man searches for foodstuffs, finding various items such as "a grape flavored powder to make drinks with" (119), "hard and brown and shriveled" (121) apples, and "water so sweet the man could smell it" (122). McCarthy depicts an abundance of biblical allusions through these findings. The apples symbolize the forbidden fruit consumed by Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis.

The author's juxtaposition of the clear, pristine water found in the barn with the scene in the basement can be justified by the apple, which originates from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. By presenting a scene of pure goodness alongside a scene of pure evil, the author is relating to the symbolism of the apple. Both the man and the boy witness evil in the basement scene but are currently witnessing good in this scene. Additionally,

the man discovers clear, pristine water while searching the barn, symbolizing purity, immaculacy, and cleanliness.

Water and baptism are also connected in this scene, reinforcing its status as the positive counterpart to the previous negative scene. Additionally, the man discovers grape flavoring powder to enhance the taste of water. McCarthy uses grapes, traditionally associated with wine and symbolic of Christ's blood, possibly alluding to the biblical miracle of turning water into wine. The depiction of colors is another significant element in the novel, as they can foreshadow a character's moral alignment as a "bad guy" or a "good guy" in The Road.

The scene depicts McCarthy's vivid description of the man and boy's encounter with their adversaries. Upon waking up in the morning, the man adjusts his blanket and glances back at the road they recently journeyed. Shortly after, a group of individuals emerges from the trees, marching in an organized formation with four people walking alongside each other. Despite wearing varied attire, all of them sport red scarves around their necks symbolizing blood as a cautionary sign not to underestimate these men. On the subsequent page, McCarthy explicitly labels them as "the bad guys" (92).

Towards the end of the book, Cormac McCarthy employs color to depict one of the story's virtuous characters. McCarthy describes a man wearing a ski parka in shades of gray and yellow, with yellow representing goodness and illumination. This selection of color assists us in recognizing the moral protagonists within the book. Furthermore, the utilization of colors, differentiation between morally upright and villainous individuals, and recurring theme of God are all intertwined with the overarching motif of "carrying the fire."

The text emphasizes

the distinction between "good guys" and "bad guys" based on their moral standards. The former group adheres to moral realism, following established human morals, while the latter group embraces moral relativism, adapting their judgments to fit specific circumstances. Moral relativists may view cannibalism as acceptable in certain cases. The book uses colors as a visual indicator to differentiate those who "carry the fire" from those who do not.

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