Literature Analysis #2: The Road by Cormac Mccarthy

1. This novel is about a man and a boy, whose names are never actually given, traveling together with only each other and a cart with supplies. On their journey they meet many people like a man who tries to kidnap the boy, cannibals that have people kept in their basement to eat, and three men plus a woman who is pregnant. The boy and man begin to starve to death but fortunately find a house with enough food for them to eat. With all this traveling, the man's goal was to get to the coast and when they finally reach the beach his son gets sick. On top of that someone steals their cart. Eventually they look for the thief and get their stuff back. The man and boy go into a town and while traveling through it, the man is shot with a bow and arrow. Even though the boy attempts to help him the man dies. In the end the boy is taken by the man with the shot gun as his new family.

2. I believe the theme of this story is good versus evil. Throughout their travels the boy always ask whoever they met if they were good or bad guys. I think the author chose to write about this in a sense if showing two different types of people in the world. I think it relates to people my age meaning don't hang out with the wrong crowd. Try to follow the good influential people in your life, not someone who brings you down.

3. The man, the protagonist, is a dynamic character because he learns so much by his travels with the boy. For example, he learns to be caring when he let's Ely eat with him. The man, however, didn't show many personality traits so I would say he's a flat character.

4. I think one significant motif of this story is the quote "Keep a little fore buring; however small, however hidden." I think it functions in the work because it's basically saying keep hope and never give up. It shows despite their situations the man and boy have hope in each other and they are determined to stay alive.

5. The reason I chose this book for several reasons. First it got my attention because it was on the list we got before summer saying we need to read it by senior year. Honestly it didn't really interest me until my AVID teacher told us it is one of the most depressing books he's ever read so I decided to take a chance with it. When I first started reading, what kept me going was to find out more about their journey. It was sad and suspenseful so I has the urgent keep reading on.

A connection I would make between people or events that happen in the story is the man and boys journey to a homeless family I see out on the street holding up a sign asking for help. Both look for survival and a place to find hope for their family. I feel like a lot of parents can connect to the man in the sense of putting their child's safety first.


6. One thing I will remember from this story is the love the man has for his son. His son was his motivation to stay alive, it hit me when "he held the boy and bent to hear the labor suck of air. his hand on the thing and laddered ribs. He walked out on the beach to the edge of the light and stood with his clenched fist on top of his skull and fell to his knees sobbing in rage" because it shows the pain this man is going through. It kind of made me realize how grateful I am for everything I have because others suffer in misery and pain. I don't think I would ever relate to that type of pain like the man went through and it sucks to know some people in the world really do go through it suffering everyday.