What makes the relationship between the boy and his father so powerful
and poignant? What do they feel for each other? How do they maintain
their affection for and faith in each other in such brutal conditions?
There is slight contrast to the relationship between the man and his son from the beginning of the book to the end. It is evident that the boy looks up to his father and at the same time thinks very highly of him, often wondering and questioning him about his life before the end of the world. The man adores his son and is constantly reminded that the boy is probably the only reason he has survived this long and that the man has been appointed by god to do whatever it takes to defend and nurture him.
As the story goes on, it becomes evident that the boy is growing up and finds his emotions a little harsher towards the world around them. He often thinks of his mother and on several occasions wishes he was dead. The boy talks about being dead as if it were better in a way. The father reminds the boy that he is blessed to have him and that if the boy died, the father would too. The man is always encouraging the boy to "carry the fire" because there are very few, if any, people who "carry the fire" in The Road. As the boy continues to learn from the man, he sees new responsibilities he takes on such as holding the gun and scouting for danger. The man only gets used to the idea that the boy will soon be able to look after himself.
The man becomes sicker and sicker during The Road. The boy understands that his illness is taking its toll on the man's conscience as well as his overall health. They will do whatever it takes to reach the coast and find better living conditions as long as the man can still walk. They encounter the "roadagents" several times on their journey and face the idea that if they get caught they will be forced to kill themselves to be spared from torture.
Near the end of the story the boy begins having dreams and illusions that the man will die and leave him alone. We don't know if the boy accepts these as moments of foreshadowing or as terrible things to think about but he distances himself from the man. When the boy realizes he has to take on the role of carrying the fire, he commits to never forgetting about his father and is grateful for everything they did together.
Regardless of the weather, persistent threats and environmental conditions, the love between the man and his son is inspiring and very moving. In times like these, it would take a lot of internal strength to carry on as long as they have with just each other.
There is slight contrast to the relationship between the man and his son from the beginning of the book to the end. It is evident that the boy looks up to his father and at the same time thinks very highly of him, often wondering and questioning him about his life before the end of the world. The man adores his son and is constantly reminded that the boy is probably the only reason he has survived this long and that the man has been appointed by god to do whatever it takes to defend and nurture him.
ReplyDeleteAs the story goes on, it becomes evident that the boy is growing up and finds his emotions a little harsher towards the world around them. He often thinks of his mother and on several occasions wishes he was dead. The boy talks about being dead as if it were better in a way. The father reminds the boy that he is blessed to have him and that if the boy died, the father would too. The man is always encouraging the boy to "carry the fire" because there are very few, if any, people who "carry the fire" in The Road. As the boy continues to learn from the man, he sees new responsibilities he takes on such as holding the gun and scouting for danger. The man only gets used to the idea that the boy will soon be able to look after himself.
The man becomes sicker and sicker during The Road. The boy understands that his illness is taking its toll on the man's conscience as well as his overall health. They will do whatever it takes to reach the coast and find better living conditions as long as the man can still walk. They encounter the "roadagents" several times on their journey and face the idea that if they get caught they will be forced to kill themselves to be spared from torture.
Near the end of the story the boy begins having dreams and illusions that the man will die and leave him alone. We don't know if the boy accepts these as moments of foreshadowing or as terrible things to think about but he distances himself from the man. When the boy realizes he has to take on the role of carrying the fire, he commits to never forgetting about his father and is grateful for everything they did together.
Regardless of the weather, persistent threats and environmental conditions, the love between the man and his son is inspiring and very moving. In times like these, it would take a lot of internal strength to carry on as long as they have with just each other.