Are you okay?
Yes. I'm okay.I have brought you some food.
Thanks.
Are you feeling better?
Yes.
She looked closely at the figure. Big eyes. Big ears. Big teeth. She rose swiftly from the chair. She was scared. She screamed.
Christ. Oh Christ.
Sunday 30 October 2011
Little Red Riding Hood
A girl walked on the road. Through the dark forest. Alone. The contents she carried weighed her down. Her arm began to ache. She sat for a rest. Noises around her. Something was following her. She was a long way from home. It was getting dark. She had to get there. The road went on. Her feet were tired. The rain soaked through her coat. Her hood protected her face. She was cold. She walked on the road for miles. She reached the house. The smell of a fire arose from the chimney. It was small, with a wide front door. She knocked twice. No answer. She peeked through the window. No sign of life. She gently pushed open the door. She creeped in slowly. It was dark. Silent. She put down the basket on the table. Something was missing. There was a rustling noise. She turned round. A figure sat up in the bed. She was blinded by the darkness. She drew back a curtain. The light streamed in. She walked towards bed. She sat down on an old armchair beside it.
Are you okay?
Yes. I'm okay.
I have brought you some food.
Thanks.
Are you feeling better?
Yes.
She looked closely at the figure. Big eyes. Big ears. Big teeth. She rose swiftly from the chair. She was scared. She screamed.
Christ. Oh Christ.
Are you okay?
Yes. I'm okay.I have brought you some food.
Thanks.
Are you feeling better?
Yes.
She looked closely at the figure. Big eyes. Big ears. Big teeth. She rose swiftly from the chair. She was scared. She screamed.
Christ. Oh Christ.
Wednesday 26 October 2011
McCarty's style and technique
'One of his eyes was burnt shut and his hair was but a nitty wig of ash upon his blackened skull. As they passed he looked down. As if he'd done something wrong. His shoes were bound up with wire and coated with roadtar and he sat there in silence, bent over in his rags. The boy kept looking back. Papa? he whispered.
What is wrong with the man?
He's been struck by lightening.
Can't we help him? Papa?
No. We can't help him.
The boy kept pulling at his coat. Papa? he said
Stop it.
Can't we help him Papa?
No. We can't help him. There's nothing to be done for him.'
As a redaer, we are encouraged to read it because the sentance structure lenghths are short which create a fast pace when reading it, however there are many full stops so it becomes quite fragmented. In this section, there is alot of questions and answers to the event that has just occured which demonstrates the puzzled and naive nature of the boy. The reader is in the same postion as the boy as he tries to find out what has happened and so does the reader. The father's response is very matter of fact which sets a tone of maybe anger as he is annoyed at the boy for asking so many questions. When read aloud, this section of dialogue should maybe be whispered as the boy doesn't want the injured man to hear them and upset him.
The chocie of vocabulary by McCarthy gives no rythm to the speech as they are generally short words he has used which makes the speech short and snappy. There is a similie used 'but a nitty wig' which describes the injured man.
There is repition of 'Papa' throught this novel and it appears frequently in this section. This is to indicate the significance of the boy being confused and puzzled and his want for his father's comfort and explanation and his desire for answers about what the world has become and why. There is also repition of question marks to show the boy's puzzled expression. The man repeats 'No. We can't help him.' to state the fact they can't take him with them and his way of dealing with the questions from the child without explanation.
The tone of this section doesn't particular remind me of fairytales as the tone of misery and confusion is not generally used in fairytales. However it could have a resmblance with maybe poetry or play scripts has some poets use short sentances to get the point across and some plays use a monosyabillc tone when narratoring. I don't believe it has much referance to the Bible, as the section does not convey explanation which is what the Bible has the majority of but maybe this sense of an unclear message throughout the book links to the thme of the Bible as sometimes it is hard to find out what the moral is.
The majority of the words used are monosyallibic which creates a tone that is dull with little expression. The effect on the reader from reading this section shows that the boy's innocence is still very protected by his father and his confusion about the injured man is not fully understood at the end of the section because we sense he still isn't enterialy sure why they cannot help him. The impact from this section leaves the reader beginning to understand why they cannot help others and why the boy is still so puzzled. We see the father and son relationship between the two charcaters and how they interact and how the father tries to deal with the situation.
What is wrong with the man?
He's been struck by lightening.
Can't we help him? Papa?
No. We can't help him.
The boy kept pulling at his coat. Papa? he said
Stop it.
Can't we help him Papa?
No. We can't help him. There's nothing to be done for him.'
As a redaer, we are encouraged to read it because the sentance structure lenghths are short which create a fast pace when reading it, however there are many full stops so it becomes quite fragmented. In this section, there is alot of questions and answers to the event that has just occured which demonstrates the puzzled and naive nature of the boy. The reader is in the same postion as the boy as he tries to find out what has happened and so does the reader. The father's response is very matter of fact which sets a tone of maybe anger as he is annoyed at the boy for asking so many questions. When read aloud, this section of dialogue should maybe be whispered as the boy doesn't want the injured man to hear them and upset him.
The chocie of vocabulary by McCarthy gives no rythm to the speech as they are generally short words he has used which makes the speech short and snappy. There is a similie used 'but a nitty wig' which describes the injured man.
There is repition of 'Papa' throught this novel and it appears frequently in this section. This is to indicate the significance of the boy being confused and puzzled and his want for his father's comfort and explanation and his desire for answers about what the world has become and why. There is also repition of question marks to show the boy's puzzled expression. The man repeats 'No. We can't help him.' to state the fact they can't take him with them and his way of dealing with the questions from the child without explanation.
The tone of this section doesn't particular remind me of fairytales as the tone of misery and confusion is not generally used in fairytales. However it could have a resmblance with maybe poetry or play scripts has some poets use short sentances to get the point across and some plays use a monosyabillc tone when narratoring. I don't believe it has much referance to the Bible, as the section does not convey explanation which is what the Bible has the majority of but maybe this sense of an unclear message throughout the book links to the thme of the Bible as sometimes it is hard to find out what the moral is.
The majority of the words used are monosyallibic which creates a tone that is dull with little expression. The effect on the reader from reading this section shows that the boy's innocence is still very protected by his father and his confusion about the injured man is not fully understood at the end of the section because we sense he still isn't enterialy sure why they cannot help him. The impact from this section leaves the reader beginning to understand why they cannot help others and why the boy is still so puzzled. We see the father and son relationship between the two charcaters and how they interact and how the father tries to deal with the situation.
Monday 24 October 2011
The theft of their belongings
(pp. 270-278)
This episode involves the possessions of the man and boy being stolen by, we suspect the 'bad guys'. This episode impacted on me through the devastation it leaves the man and boy in as they are the 'good guys' and have done nothing to deserve this. It made me feel angry and upset because as a reader you have travelled and got to know the characters and now they have been stolen of their hope of survival. This unfortunate event leads to the downfall of their survival and eventually the death of the man.
McCarthy, to evoke this response, firstly uses a panicked tone as the man discovers what is missing 'Their blankets. Their water bottle and their campsite store of food.' through listing the items he can build pace and tension. McCarthy also uses short sentences again to reinstate what is missing and by doing this he states its importance in their survival and allows the reader to absorb the effect this will have on the man and boy. 'The boy looked up. He was beginning to cry.' This portrays the boy's innocent character who is naive enough to believe no one would do that to them. The boy realises how much this will effect them and feels betrayed by people in society for having no humanity.
As the father and son find the thief with the cart, McCarthy describes him as 'Scrawny,sullen,bearded,filthy' This description gives us a portrait of a man who is deprived of these sort of materials and so is desperate to survive. In survival some people do turn bad, just to keep living, which sometimes is seen as a selfish thing to do, for example the boy sees it as a selfish thing to do. The boy also asks 'Are we going to kill them?' which shows he has grown up through the novel and now realises what they have to do to survive and can sense his fathers anger. The fact he uses 'we' shows the theme of a team and in order to work together to survive.
The father takes the clothes of the thief and takes the cart. The boy is very upset by this which angain demonstrates his innocent and naive outlook on their journey 'Just help him, Papa.Just help him.' The boy is desperate to save the life of this man even though he is considered a 'bad guy'. This is maybe because he has very little contact with society and so clings on to other people as he has a fear of being alone if anything happened to his father. This is very common throughout the book and shows that the boy holds on to his humanity whilst the father begins to loose it.
The boy says 'I am the one' when the father accuses him of not having to worry about everything. At this point we know as a reader that the boy nows he will eventually be alone and that is why he holds onto any human contact. We almost feel sorry for the boy, however we know he will strive to stay a 'good guy'.
The boy is a symbol of humanity and innocence in the novel as sees a vulnerable outlook on everything and is very sensitive to the care of others.
From this episode, we know that the father is dying and so this can only make things worse. They have now reached their destination and so we know they cannot travel any further.
The language in this episode is in keeping with the rest of the novel although there is a lot more emotion between the characters as they become tired and exhausted.
The relationship between the father and son grows in some sense but also distances. The boy realises that his father is dying and so is angry and tries to distance himself from him. He also angry at him for not helping the man and not remaining one of the 'good guys' and maintaining his humanity like the boy has done.
This episode is definitely a key episode because we discover the boy's desperate clinging to others in society still surviving. We also see the man really becoming a bit mean and losing his sanity as he is exhausted and tired. The boy and man differ in opinion here and that sets them apart in character.
McCarthy, to evoke this response, firstly uses a panicked tone as the man discovers what is missing 'Their blankets. Their water bottle and their campsite store of food.' through listing the items he can build pace and tension. McCarthy also uses short sentences again to reinstate what is missing and by doing this he states its importance in their survival and allows the reader to absorb the effect this will have on the man and boy. 'The boy looked up. He was beginning to cry.' This portrays the boy's innocent character who is naive enough to believe no one would do that to them. The boy realises how much this will effect them and feels betrayed by people in society for having no humanity.
As the father and son find the thief with the cart, McCarthy describes him as 'Scrawny,sullen,bearded,filthy' This description gives us a portrait of a man who is deprived of these sort of materials and so is desperate to survive. In survival some people do turn bad, just to keep living, which sometimes is seen as a selfish thing to do, for example the boy sees it as a selfish thing to do. The boy also asks 'Are we going to kill them?' which shows he has grown up through the novel and now realises what they have to do to survive and can sense his fathers anger. The fact he uses 'we' shows the theme of a team and in order to work together to survive.
The father takes the clothes of the thief and takes the cart. The boy is very upset by this which angain demonstrates his innocent and naive outlook on their journey 'Just help him, Papa.Just help him.' The boy is desperate to save the life of this man even though he is considered a 'bad guy'. This is maybe because he has very little contact with society and so clings on to other people as he has a fear of being alone if anything happened to his father. This is very common throughout the book and shows that the boy holds on to his humanity whilst the father begins to loose it.
The boy says 'I am the one' when the father accuses him of not having to worry about everything. At this point we know as a reader that the boy nows he will eventually be alone and that is why he holds onto any human contact. We almost feel sorry for the boy, however we know he will strive to stay a 'good guy'.
The boy is a symbol of humanity and innocence in the novel as sees a vulnerable outlook on everything and is very sensitive to the care of others.
From this episode, we know that the father is dying and so this can only make things worse. They have now reached their destination and so we know they cannot travel any further.
The language in this episode is in keeping with the rest of the novel although there is a lot more emotion between the characters as they become tired and exhausted. The relationship between the father and son grows in some sense but also distances. The boy realises that his father is dying and so is angry and tries to distance himself from him. He also angry at him for not helping the man and not remaining one of the 'good guys' and maintaining his humanity like the boy has done.
This episode is definitely a key episode because we discover the boy's desperate clinging to others in society still surviving. We also see the man really becoming a bit mean and losing his sanity as he is exhausted and tired. The boy and man differ in opinion here and that sets them apart in character.
Sunday 23 October 2011
Getting to the shore
(pp. 227 - 230)
This episode involves the father and son reaching the destination they have been longing to reach, the shore. Although it is not a beautiful beach with golden sands and clear blue water, the father and son are both exhausted and feel proud they have reached the shore. This episode impacted on me through the way the landscape is described which sets the mood of disappointment. I feel upset for the man and boy because they have travelled so far and have seen so much but receive no reward. This could be a reflection of life as sometimes things never turn out to be what you think they are going to be and also sometimes there is false hope given.
McCarthy uses pathetic fallacy to emphasise the disappointment from the characters especially the boy. He describes the beach as 'Cold. Desolate. Birdless' which is everything the beach is not meant to be. This place is no longer a holiday destination but a place that is filled with nothingness. McCarthy uses one word sentences to leave a pause between each thought for the reader so they can see and imagine this place as the characters view it. McCarthy evokes the response of disappointment through the father apologising for the landscape 'I'm sorry it's not blue' referring to the sea. The father feels guilt for bringing the boy all the way to the shore and having nothing to admire or give him as a reward. Although it is built up in the mind of the reader that the shore was never going to be a place of paradise as we know the devastation the world is in.
The shore is a place of nature and through that the man and boy may feel protected against evil and inhumanity as they are influenced and kept calm by the reminder that not all nature has disappeared. This is a frequent theme in the novel and is a form of protection from straying to the bad guys and keeps their humanity and sanity.
McCarthy also uses a simile 'desolation of some alien sea breaking on the shores of a world unheard of' to show that the sea is alien to him, not what he pictured in his mind and not belonging to the country and seascape he once knew. The world is now unheard of as if it has been forgotten and abandoned by other galaxies and planets when it was once valued.
There is a constant reminder of death and devastation throughout the novel, 'salt bleached ribcages of what may have been cattle' to show where ever they travel there is a constant presence of death.
The beach could be a symbol of safety now they have arrived and are surrounded by nature and the sea could be used as a symbol of their troubles and horrors they have seen alone the road, being washed away.
From this episode, we know the man and boy have reached their final destination and have completed and fulfilled their ambition. This now leaves and uncertainty with the reader to what we happen next, as we know that the father is ill and this evokes the question will he survive? or will the boy be left to fend for himself?
Now they have arrived at the beach, will they still encounter the 'bad guys' or are they now protected from society? The relationship between the father and son is different to how you imagine it was going to be through the novel. As the have faced different life and death situations in the novel, they have grown stronger. The boy has grown up as the real horrors have been revealed to him and his innocence at the beginning has faded and he is now more understanding of the world and society around him. The father on he other hand has tried to keep his humanity and stay one of the 'good guys'.
The language in this episode is mainly descriptive of the landscape around them. This episode has less tension as they are not effected by the 'bad guys' but can settle and relax.
This episode involves the father and son reaching the destination they have been longing to reach, the shore. Although it is not a beautiful beach with golden sands and clear blue water, the father and son are both exhausted and feel proud they have reached the shore. This episode impacted on me through the way the landscape is described which sets the mood of disappointment. I feel upset for the man and boy because they have travelled so far and have seen so much but receive no reward. This could be a reflection of life as sometimes things never turn out to be what you think they are going to be and also sometimes there is false hope given.
McCarthy uses pathetic fallacy to emphasise the disappointment from the characters especially the boy. He describes the beach as 'Cold. Desolate. Birdless' which is everything the beach is not meant to be. This place is no longer a holiday destination but a place that is filled with nothingness. McCarthy uses one word sentences to leave a pause between each thought for the reader so they can see and imagine this place as the characters view it. McCarthy evokes the response of disappointment through the father apologising for the landscape 'I'm sorry it's not blue' referring to the sea. The father feels guilt for bringing the boy all the way to the shore and having nothing to admire or give him as a reward. Although it is built up in the mind of the reader that the shore was never going to be a place of paradise as we know the devastation the world is in.
The shore is a place of nature and through that the man and boy may feel protected against evil and inhumanity as they are influenced and kept calm by the reminder that not all nature has disappeared. This is a frequent theme in the novel and is a form of protection from straying to the bad guys and keeps their humanity and sanity.
McCarthy also uses a simile 'desolation of some alien sea breaking on the shores of a world unheard of' to show that the sea is alien to him, not what he pictured in his mind and not belonging to the country and seascape he once knew. The world is now unheard of as if it has been forgotten and abandoned by other galaxies and planets when it was once valued.
There is a constant reminder of death and devastation throughout the novel, 'salt bleached ribcages of what may have been cattle' to show where ever they travel there is a constant presence of death.
The beach could be a symbol of safety now they have arrived and are surrounded by nature and the sea could be used as a symbol of their troubles and horrors they have seen alone the road, being washed away.
From this episode, we know the man and boy have reached their final destination and have completed and fulfilled their ambition. This now leaves and uncertainty with the reader to what we happen next, as we know that the father is ill and this evokes the question will he survive? or will the boy be left to fend for himself?
Now they have arrived at the beach, will they still encounter the 'bad guys' or are they now protected from society? The relationship between the father and son is different to how you imagine it was going to be through the novel. As the have faced different life and death situations in the novel, they have grown stronger. The boy has grown up as the real horrors have been revealed to him and his innocence at the beginning has faded and he is now more understanding of the world and society around him. The father on he other hand has tried to keep his humanity and stay one of the 'good guys'. The language in this episode is mainly descriptive of the landscape around them. This episode has less tension as they are not effected by the 'bad guys' but can settle and relax.
This episode is a key episode because we learn that the journey of escaping the 'bad guys' has lead them to a place of sanctuary however it is still not how the seaside used to be. Even though it is a disappointment, there is still some hope for them as they have reached a place of nature which calms and assures them. However the dullness of this place allows a lingering presence of death that is to follow.
The baby of the spit
(pp. 210-215)
This episode involves the father and son seeing one of the most horrific images in the novel, a baby being roasted on a spit. The boy spots the baby first and it deeply unsettles him whilst the father tries to comfort him. This episode impacted on me through the violence and the horrible image this leaves in your mind. Just like the people who are keeping the cellar, these people have also turned to cannibalism to keep themselves alive. The fact they are roasting an infant, which is generally a sign of innocence brings even more horror to the episode. As a reader, I felt upset and disappointed in the people who had done this as they have forgot their morals and ethics and put themselves first, which I see as selfish.
McCarthy evokes this response to this episode through the way he describes the baby 'charred human infant and gutted and blackened on a spit'
This displays vivid imagery and McCarthy has gone into such detail, to not upset his audience but to demonstrate what extreme lengths people would go to for their own survival. The fact the infant has been 'gutted' is like it has been treated like a dead animal like you would gut a rabbit fro instance. There is no sense of humanity here and the people who had done this must have lost their sanity.
McCarthy uses the boy as the person to spot it first to show what effect it has on a child and also to show how his innocence is being broken as the travel through the horrors they witness. The boy turns in to father for a sign of security and comfort but doesn't make a huge deal of witnessing this but simply says 'Oh Papa'. There is so much horrors the boy has witnessed he is almost used to these sort of things, however I think that the boy is surprised that anyone would roast their own baby just to survive. The father tries to apologise to the boy for having to witness such horrors 'I'm sorry'. The father has been striving to protect the boy's innocence however he feels he can no longer protect him. I think the father feels helpless in this episode and feels sorry for his son as he has not been able to enjoy a safe and happy childhood.
The mutilated baby could be a symbol of innocence being destroyed as the baby had never seen life and is a innocent creature and the boy gradually losing his innocence through their journey. McCarthy could also use the reference to fire, as a symbol of hell, as the baby is blackened and the people in the cellar burned also. Fire destroys life and this is strongly reflected in this novel.
From this episode, we see the true potential of the lives of the father and boy and that they could be killed and eaten. This prospect becomes more and more possible however there is hope that they will survive until the end.
After the event of seeing the baby, they rest by running water. 'sat by the fire listening to the water'. The fact they are sat by the fire could mean they are always surrounded by these hellish events and sites however they listen to the water, meaning they listen to nature and keep their humanity and don not go against it. This sign of nature comforts them both from the horrific sites they witness along the road. There is a decrease of tension here as they are almost protected by nature around them.
The language in this episode is not so commanding and fast paced but is more emotive and gentle 'The leaves were soft from the recent rains and quiet underfoot'. This also allows them to shows their true feelings about their life now and discuss the horrors they witness as the boy does by asking questions about the baby.
This episode is a key episode because we see how the boy begins to realise the dangers and horrors of the world and how he no longer has much innocence. The father on the other hand has tried so hard to protect his son's innocence but can no longer do it. We see their relationship grow stronger through the novel and how they operate as a team.
This episode involves the father and son seeing one of the most horrific images in the novel, a baby being roasted on a spit. The boy spots the baby first and it deeply unsettles him whilst the father tries to comfort him. This episode impacted on me through the violence and the horrible image this leaves in your mind. Just like the people who are keeping the cellar, these people have also turned to cannibalism to keep themselves alive. The fact they are roasting an infant, which is generally a sign of innocence brings even more horror to the episode. As a reader, I felt upset and disappointed in the people who had done this as they have forgot their morals and ethics and put themselves first, which I see as selfish.
McCarthy evokes this response to this episode through the way he describes the baby 'charred human infant and gutted and blackened on a spit'
This displays vivid imagery and McCarthy has gone into such detail, to not upset his audience but to demonstrate what extreme lengths people would go to for their own survival. The fact the infant has been 'gutted' is like it has been treated like a dead animal like you would gut a rabbit fro instance. There is no sense of humanity here and the people who had done this must have lost their sanity.
McCarthy uses the boy as the person to spot it first to show what effect it has on a child and also to show how his innocence is being broken as the travel through the horrors they witness. The boy turns in to father for a sign of security and comfort but doesn't make a huge deal of witnessing this but simply says 'Oh Papa'. There is so much horrors the boy has witnessed he is almost used to these sort of things, however I think that the boy is surprised that anyone would roast their own baby just to survive. The father tries to apologise to the boy for having to witness such horrors 'I'm sorry'. The father has been striving to protect the boy's innocence however he feels he can no longer protect him. I think the father feels helpless in this episode and feels sorry for his son as he has not been able to enjoy a safe and happy childhood.
The mutilated baby could be a symbol of innocence being destroyed as the baby had never seen life and is a innocent creature and the boy gradually losing his innocence through their journey. McCarthy could also use the reference to fire, as a symbol of hell, as the baby is blackened and the people in the cellar burned also. Fire destroys life and this is strongly reflected in this novel.
From this episode, we see the true potential of the lives of the father and boy and that they could be killed and eaten. This prospect becomes more and more possible however there is hope that they will survive until the end.
After the event of seeing the baby, they rest by running water. 'sat by the fire listening to the water'. The fact they are sat by the fire could mean they are always surrounded by these hellish events and sites however they listen to the water, meaning they listen to nature and keep their humanity and don not go against it. This sign of nature comforts them both from the horrific sites they witness along the road. There is a decrease of tension here as they are almost protected by nature around them.
The language in this episode is not so commanding and fast paced but is more emotive and gentle 'The leaves were soft from the recent rains and quiet underfoot'. This also allows them to shows their true feelings about their life now and discuss the horrors they witness as the boy does by asking questions about the baby. This episode is a key episode because we see how the boy begins to realise the dangers and horrors of the world and how he no longer has much innocence. The father on the other hand has tried so hard to protect his son's innocence but can no longer do it. We see their relationship grow stronger through the novel and how they operate as a team.
Finding the cellar
(pp. 112-121)
During this episode the father and son come across a cellar filled with naked male and female people along with people who had been mutilated. The father and boy have to hide otherwise they will have the same fate as the people in the cellar. This is a horrific episode and emphasises how desperate people are to survive would eat other humans, turn to cannibalism just so they can continue living in this hellish place, suggesting they have fear of death themselves. This episode impacted on me purely through the horror and inhumanity in it. The way that humans are treated and the loss of morals and sanity made me feel upset and angry at what the world has become. McCarthy uses lots of questions in this episode, mainly from the boy to evoke a sense of being unsure and anticipating what will happen next. He also uses vivd imagery to enhance the horror and devastation that has occurred here.
'On a mattress lay a man with his legs gone to the hip and the stumps of them blackened and burnt'
This indicates to the reader the violence which has taken place here and how people are holding them hostage for their survival. As a reader you feel deeply upset at this tragic loss of life. McCarthy also uses repetition of the word 'hurry' and 'God'. These are frequently used when they are in the house as they try to escape the bad guys creating a sense of panic and despair. They obviously have to move fast but the father cannot believe his eyes, what the world has come to and so keeps repeating 'God' to show his shock and maybe his plea for help. This creates an increase of tension in the cellar as the reader is also i anticipation to what will happen to the father and boy.
McCarthy maybe uses this episode as a symbol of complete loss for all humanity and the extremes people will go to, to keep themselves alive. The cellar could be a reference or a symbol of hell on Earth as there is such horrific images displayed in this episode.
The realisation of the true 'bad guys' in this episode dawns of the father to how much danger they could be in and how the world has changed and lost all morals.
Again, the pistol may be a symbol of the 'good guys' and protecting themselves from inhumanity. In the cellar, the father is 'holding on to it', holding on to his life and his sanity.
The father tries to save his son by distracting the 'bad guys'. He says if they try to get him 'You put it in your mouth and point up', the father tries so hard to protect his son that he doesn't want any harm to come to him and even goes as far as to tell him how to shoot himself. This demonstrates how the boy's innocence was protected at the beginning of the novel, to what he has witnessed along the road and so now he has little innocence as the father can no longer protect it. Also for the first time in the novel we see how much the boy is valued by the father as he says ' But I can't leave you'. The father does love his son and is afraid of being alone.
After this event of the cellar the reader knows their will be more horrors along the road. However we also begin to realise one of them wont make it to the end of the novel as they have had so many near death experiences so far.
The language in this episode is still very in keeping with the novel, however there are a lot more questions used to show their panic and despair and also desperation to survive. I feel there is more emotion used between the father and son as they are so close to entering the hell of the cellar. From this episode we see that the father and son rely on each other and in order to survive they need to be together to keep each other sane and human.
This episode stands out in the novel because its pure horror and awfulness sticks in your mind. Also we learn that the father and son work together in order to survive. The relationship between them is still strong and the father is almost educating the son on how to survive.
During this episode the father and son come across a cellar filled with naked male and female people along with people who had been mutilated. The father and boy have to hide otherwise they will have the same fate as the people in the cellar. This is a horrific episode and emphasises how desperate people are to survive would eat other humans, turn to cannibalism just so they can continue living in this hellish place, suggesting they have fear of death themselves. This episode impacted on me purely through the horror and inhumanity in it. The way that humans are treated and the loss of morals and sanity made me feel upset and angry at what the world has become. McCarthy uses lots of questions in this episode, mainly from the boy to evoke a sense of being unsure and anticipating what will happen next. He also uses vivd imagery to enhance the horror and devastation that has occurred here.
'On a mattress lay a man with his legs gone to the hip and the stumps of them blackened and burnt'
This indicates to the reader the violence which has taken place here and how people are holding them hostage for their survival. As a reader you feel deeply upset at this tragic loss of life. McCarthy also uses repetition of the word 'hurry' and 'God'. These are frequently used when they are in the house as they try to escape the bad guys creating a sense of panic and despair. They obviously have to move fast but the father cannot believe his eyes, what the world has come to and so keeps repeating 'God' to show his shock and maybe his plea for help. This creates an increase of tension in the cellar as the reader is also i anticipation to what will happen to the father and boy.
McCarthy maybe uses this episode as a symbol of complete loss for all humanity and the extremes people will go to, to keep themselves alive. The cellar could be a reference or a symbol of hell on Earth as there is such horrific images displayed in this episode.
The realisation of the true 'bad guys' in this episode dawns of the father to how much danger they could be in and how the world has changed and lost all morals.
Again, the pistol may be a symbol of the 'good guys' and protecting themselves from inhumanity. In the cellar, the father is 'holding on to it', holding on to his life and his sanity.
The father tries to save his son by distracting the 'bad guys'. He says if they try to get him 'You put it in your mouth and point up', the father tries so hard to protect his son that he doesn't want any harm to come to him and even goes as far as to tell him how to shoot himself. This demonstrates how the boy's innocence was protected at the beginning of the novel, to what he has witnessed along the road and so now he has little innocence as the father can no longer protect it. Also for the first time in the novel we see how much the boy is valued by the father as he says ' But I can't leave you'. The father does love his son and is afraid of being alone.
After this event of the cellar the reader knows their will be more horrors along the road. However we also begin to realise one of them wont make it to the end of the novel as they have had so many near death experiences so far.
The language in this episode is still very in keeping with the novel, however there are a lot more questions used to show their panic and despair and also desperation to survive. I feel there is more emotion used between the father and son as they are so close to entering the hell of the cellar. From this episode we see that the father and son rely on each other and in order to survive they need to be together to keep each other sane and human.
This episode stands out in the novel because its pure horror and awfulness sticks in your mind. Also we learn that the father and son work together in order to survive. The relationship between them is still strong and the father is almost educating the son on how to survive.
Saturday 22 October 2011
The shooting of the 'roadrat'
(pp. 62-69)
This episode involves the father's act of shooting and killing a man who is part of the 'bad guys' because he threatens his son. The man is described a as 'roadrat' because of his appearance and how he behaves. This episode impacted on me through the intensity of tension that is built up and the questions it evokes in the mind of the reader. I also saw another side of the character of the father as he is under pressure to act fast and protect his son. His constant strive for humanity is somewhat challenged during this episode as he does kill a man, which is what he teaches his son not to do, to remain one of the 'good guys'.
McCarthy uses this episode as a way of introducing the 'bad guys' and uses plenty of description to describe their appearances.
'Stained and filthy. Slouching along with their clubs in their hands, lengths of pipe. Coughing.'
The use of short sentences allows the reader to pause and reflect on the image they picture and this then builds up vivid imagery of the scene which is taking place. The fact the people and 'stained' indicates violence and filth, possibly blood stains of their victims. There is signs of disease and more dirt with the people 'coughing' which McCarthy tries to emphasise to demonstrate and create this sense of desperation and insanity which has become.
McCarthy uses the 'roadrat' as a symbol of the 'bad guys' and the way that the 'good guys' win over him suggests an underlying them of good verses evil in the novel. The 'roadrat' is the opposite of the father in personality as he conveys bravery when grabbing the boy to kill him. Whilst the father maybe takes the easier option and kills the man maybe showing that he couldn't fight for himself and therefore is a coward.
Another symbol used in this episode could be the pistol, which provides safety and security from the evil around them. The pistol could be seen as a way of clinging on to humanity and not being dragged into the 'bad guys' so the boy and father remain human and keep their sanity.
The boy's innocence is shattered in this scene as he is covered in blood from the violent act his father has committed and is reminded of it as he travels along the road. The man on the other hand has lost his humanity that the boy held on to him and so the father and son relationship is pushed even further apart as the boy sees his father as the 'bad guy' after what he has just done.
As a reader we know the boy is upset and devastated as he persistently asks if they are still the 'good guys' throughout the book and now he is described using the simile 'mute as stone' which indicates that he cannot bear the thought of being the 'bad guys', let alone ask about it. The boy is also in such shock after this horrific episode as he now sees what the world has become and how and why they have to survive. When the man has shot the 'roadrat' the boy is described to have 'no expression on his face at all'. This resembles the boy's disattachment from society and does not know what to say but this is also down to shock.
The plot progression from this scene we know is going to be slow as a major incident has just happened. The boy is still stunned and the man upset as they progress along the road each being reminded of the horrors they have witnessed and how close they have come to death.
The language in this episode is still in keeping with the rest of the novel as the speech between father and son still gives away no emotion. Although McCarthy uses much more description and short sentences to create the tension building up to the shooting.
The relationship between the father and son is shown in more depth in this key episode as the father tries to remain calm and protect his son from harm. There is more comfort shown at the beginning of the encounter with the 'bad guys'. There is repetition of 'It's all right' by the father demonstrates to comfort and assurance he is trying to provide for his son.
This episode is considered a key episode because as a reader, we see the fathers desperation and panic which is unusual because he tries to remain calm throughout the novel. We also learn of the father's loosing of humanity and maybe turning to the 'bad guys'. From the boy we learn of his shock and fears realised that his father maybe turning bad and the frightful encounter with the 'bad guys', he realises that no where is safe and has become more aware of what is going on around him . The episode is also an eye-opener for the reader to see the horror and filth these people struggle to survive in and how morals have become ignored.
This episode involves the father's act of shooting and killing a man who is part of the 'bad guys' because he threatens his son. The man is described a as 'roadrat' because of his appearance and how he behaves. This episode impacted on me through the intensity of tension that is built up and the questions it evokes in the mind of the reader. I also saw another side of the character of the father as he is under pressure to act fast and protect his son. His constant strive for humanity is somewhat challenged during this episode as he does kill a man, which is what he teaches his son not to do, to remain one of the 'good guys'.
McCarthy uses this episode as a way of introducing the 'bad guys' and uses plenty of description to describe their appearances.
'Stained and filthy. Slouching along with their clubs in their hands, lengths of pipe. Coughing.'
The use of short sentences allows the reader to pause and reflect on the image they picture and this then builds up vivid imagery of the scene which is taking place. The fact the people and 'stained' indicates violence and filth, possibly blood stains of their victims. There is signs of disease and more dirt with the people 'coughing' which McCarthy tries to emphasise to demonstrate and create this sense of desperation and insanity which has become.
McCarthy uses the 'roadrat' as a symbol of the 'bad guys' and the way that the 'good guys' win over him suggests an underlying them of good verses evil in the novel. The 'roadrat' is the opposite of the father in personality as he conveys bravery when grabbing the boy to kill him. Whilst the father maybe takes the easier option and kills the man maybe showing that he couldn't fight for himself and therefore is a coward.
Another symbol used in this episode could be the pistol, which provides safety and security from the evil around them. The pistol could be seen as a way of clinging on to humanity and not being dragged into the 'bad guys' so the boy and father remain human and keep their sanity.
The boy's innocence is shattered in this scene as he is covered in blood from the violent act his father has committed and is reminded of it as he travels along the road. The man on the other hand has lost his humanity that the boy held on to him and so the father and son relationship is pushed even further apart as the boy sees his father as the 'bad guy' after what he has just done.
As a reader we know the boy is upset and devastated as he persistently asks if they are still the 'good guys' throughout the book and now he is described using the simile 'mute as stone' which indicates that he cannot bear the thought of being the 'bad guys', let alone ask about it. The boy is also in such shock after this horrific episode as he now sees what the world has become and how and why they have to survive. When the man has shot the 'roadrat' the boy is described to have 'no expression on his face at all'. This resembles the boy's disattachment from society and does not know what to say but this is also down to shock.
The plot progression from this scene we know is going to be slow as a major incident has just happened. The boy is still stunned and the man upset as they progress along the road each being reminded of the horrors they have witnessed and how close they have come to death.
The language in this episode is still in keeping with the rest of the novel as the speech between father and son still gives away no emotion. Although McCarthy uses much more description and short sentences to create the tension building up to the shooting. The relationship between the father and son is shown in more depth in this key episode as the father tries to remain calm and protect his son from harm. There is more comfort shown at the beginning of the encounter with the 'bad guys'. There is repetition of 'It's all right' by the father demonstrates to comfort and assurance he is trying to provide for his son.
This episode is considered a key episode because as a reader, we see the fathers desperation and panic which is unusual because he tries to remain calm throughout the novel. We also learn of the father's loosing of humanity and maybe turning to the 'bad guys'. From the boy we learn of his shock and fears realised that his father maybe turning bad and the frightful encounter with the 'bad guys', he realises that no where is safe and has become more aware of what is going on around him . The episode is also an eye-opener for the reader to see the horror and filth these people struggle to survive in and how morals have become ignored.
Thursday 20 October 2011
Man struck by lightning
(pp. 50-53)
The episode involves the father and son
passes a man who has been struck by lightning and is dying. The man decides they cannot help him as they need to survive and this will create a burden and more problems fro them. This episode has impacted on me through the horror and devastation the world has come to. There is no sense of sanity and little humanity in this episode and you feel as if the father and boy have lost their sense of humanity, especially the father as they don't help the man and maybe not one of the true 'good guys' anymore. Contradicting this is the fact they are out to survive and do not want to be slowed down so there is a compromise between being helpful and being selfish. Although the father and boy are the 'good guys' in the novel this episode reinstates that everyone is out to save themselves, not the world.
This episode impacts on the reader revealing the harsh reality of the life the boy and father now lead. It makes the audience feel sympathy for the father as he tries to lose his identity through placing his credit cards and the photo of his wife on the road, he tries to leave his old life behind him and keep going along the never ending 'road'. The episode makes me feel upset by what the father does as it is very hard to let go of the past and the loss of his old life is so huge but also I feel for the boy as his innocent character is someone you warm to, and you almost want to try to explain why they have to leave the man behind and want to comfort him.
McCarthy uses the boy as a symbol of the innocence which evokes a character who the reader can relate to as they are in the same position as they do not quite understand how the world has become like this. Although the father is not over protective of his son and tries to let him realise why they cannot help him but why they are still the 'good guys'. When the father scatters his personal belongings, McCarthy evokes the response of feeling sympathy for him and feeling his loss through listing things that reveal him to the world to show who he is. Also these items were once important in society however they are worthless now. The dialogue between the father and son is emotionless and shows a distance between their relationship and reflects their tiredness and exhaustion as they are not enthusiastic about anything. The man who has been struck by lightning looks frightening for the boy to see and so the father does not go over to him as he tries to protect the boy from the horrors of the world.
'One of his eyes was burnt shut and his hair was but a nitty wig of ash upon his blackened skull'
This creates a horrific image for the reader and gives an insight into the devastation the world has suffered. McCarthy uses plenty of description in this image to emphasise to damage caused to this person and how he has become an animal almost.
This episode gives the audience an insight into how the plot will progress next as the boy and man continue along the road coming across the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys' and the horrors they are yet to witness.
The man who has been struck by lightning is critically injured and is helpless. The boy's naive and innocent character is puzzled to why they cannot help the man. However the father knows they cannot be slowed down by a crippled man and will not be able to help him survive.
The language is in keeping with the rest of the novel as it seems to be in a monotone. McCarthy uses symbolism in this novel on a few occasions. In this episode I believe that the symbol of 'the road' is a path of guidance and as they travel further on the road they see more and more horrors and begin to loose humanity. 'The road' is also an escape route from the hellish sites they witness, and it has some sort of safety to it. The father and son are very much the characters of 'good guys' in the novel as they don't do anything particularly bad and remain sane. This episode is considered a key episode because you understand the innocence of the boy and the horrors he witnesses and how he copes with them, you also learn of how the relationship between the father and son works. This episode stands out in the novel, although there is no chapters because it gives the reader an insight in the horrors the two witness and what the world and nature is capable of and the reality of life in this critical days of Earth.
The episode involves the father and son
passes a man who has been struck by lightning and is dying. The man decides they cannot help him as they need to survive and this will create a burden and more problems fro them. This episode has impacted on me through the horror and devastation the world has come to. There is no sense of sanity and little humanity in this episode and you feel as if the father and boy have lost their sense of humanity, especially the father as they don't help the man and maybe not one of the true 'good guys' anymore. Contradicting this is the fact they are out to survive and do not want to be slowed down so there is a compromise between being helpful and being selfish. Although the father and boy are the 'good guys' in the novel this episode reinstates that everyone is out to save themselves, not the world.
This episode impacts on the reader revealing the harsh reality of the life the boy and father now lead. It makes the audience feel sympathy for the father as he tries to lose his identity through placing his credit cards and the photo of his wife on the road, he tries to leave his old life behind him and keep going along the never ending 'road'. The episode makes me feel upset by what the father does as it is very hard to let go of the past and the loss of his old life is so huge but also I feel for the boy as his innocent character is someone you warm to, and you almost want to try to explain why they have to leave the man behind and want to comfort him.
McCarthy uses the boy as a symbol of the innocence which evokes a character who the reader can relate to as they are in the same position as they do not quite understand how the world has become like this. Although the father is not over protective of his son and tries to let him realise why they cannot help him but why they are still the 'good guys'. When the father scatters his personal belongings, McCarthy evokes the response of feeling sympathy for him and feeling his loss through listing things that reveal him to the world to show who he is. Also these items were once important in society however they are worthless now. The dialogue between the father and son is emotionless and shows a distance between their relationship and reflects their tiredness and exhaustion as they are not enthusiastic about anything. The man who has been struck by lightning looks frightening for the boy to see and so the father does not go over to him as he tries to protect the boy from the horrors of the world.
'One of his eyes was burnt shut and his hair was but a nitty wig of ash upon his blackened skull'
This creates a horrific image for the reader and gives an insight into the devastation the world has suffered. McCarthy uses plenty of description in this image to emphasise to damage caused to this person and how he has become an animal almost.
This episode gives the audience an insight into how the plot will progress next as the boy and man continue along the road coming across the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys' and the horrors they are yet to witness.
The man who has been struck by lightning is critically injured and is helpless. The boy's naive and innocent character is puzzled to why they cannot help the man. However the father knows they cannot be slowed down by a crippled man and will not be able to help him survive.
'Can't we help him? Papa?'
'No. We can't help him. There's nothing to be done for him.'
The boy's innocence and vunerablity is shown in this episode as he pleas his father to help the dying man. McCarthy uses short sentences here making the fathers point very clear and has no tone to the speech to make the boy understand why they cannot help the man. Also the boy's questioning of his father's decision shows his confusion and uncertainty and worry of what will happen to the man and to them. The father does not comfort the boy but just tells him the fact without explanation. This shows the relationship between the father and son being distanced as there is no emotion used in the dialogue between them which creates a sombre tone. From this episode, as a reader we learn that the boy begins to realise they have to fend for themselves and the father tries to move on from his old life by getting rid of personal belongings.
The language is in keeping with the rest of the novel as it seems to be in a monotone. McCarthy uses symbolism in this novel on a few occasions. In this episode I believe that the symbol of 'the road' is a path of guidance and as they travel further on the road they see more and more horrors and begin to loose humanity. 'The road' is also an escape route from the hellish sites they witness, and it has some sort of safety to it. The father and son are very much the characters of 'good guys' in the novel as they don't do anything particularly bad and remain sane. This episode is considered a key episode because you understand the innocence of the boy and the horrors he witnesses and how he copes with them, you also learn of how the relationship between the father and son works. This episode stands out in the novel, although there is no chapters because it gives the reader an insight in the horrors the two witness and what the world and nature is capable of and the reality of life in this critical days of Earth.Thursday 13 October 2011
Quotations
It is essential you recognise Cormac McCarthy's crafting of sentences in "The Road". Read the following extract out loud, pay attention to the sounds of the words and the rhythm of the writing.
This is my child, he said. I wash a dead man's brains out of his hair. That is my job.
This quote reflects the harsh reality of life now and the cannabalism and violence that has become in the furture. At this point in the story a man is holding the child hostage and the father shoots the man in head leaving the brains to cover the child. He states the child is 'his' as if he were property and doesnt refer to his name, maybe suggesting he doesnt want to be close with the child in case something happens to him and tries to distance himself so he could maybe fend for himself. This event is referred to with no expression as if it was a daily chore and is used to it. It provides the reader with a horrific image and expresses the theme of violence. This also shows the relationship between father and son not to be caring or comforting but maybe cold and protective of each other.
Yes I am, he said. I am the one.
The reference to being the 'one' may be inferring he is the only good guy left and is the 'one' to protect his father. Without the boy, the father would go insane and so the boy realises the responsibility he carries. The boy does have to worry about danger, even though his father tries to protect him form the evil in the world, at the same time the boy protects his father from insanity. This shows the theme of responsibility and the relationship between the father and son and how they support each other. The repetition of 'I' shows that shows the boy feels the responsibility on his shoulders and that he is special figure in the novel. His innocence his protected by the father and his innocence on the outlook of the world is reflected in this quote.
Tomatoes, peaches, beans, apricots. Canned hams. Corned beef.
The foods listed above arent very exciting foods however as they are listed in this manner to build excitement. This fortunate event of finding this food is a big thing for them as they have survived on so little. The short sentances builds a tension and show how quickly the mind changes in excitement to one food to another. Although the foods could be listed in this way and with short sentences to show how they have the same foods every night and that it is becoming tiresome.
Are we still the good guys, he said.
This quote portrays the boy's innocence in the novel. The boy refers to the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys' in the novel reflecting his innocence and basic understanding of how the world works. Even though there are 'bad guys' everywhere in the novel, the boy tries to remain true to himself and his father by staying 'good'. There is a theme of good verses evil in this quote as the boy strives to stay good when against everything, it is so easy to become 'bad'. The man's act of killing someone is justified in his sense as he was protecting his son however the boy sees it as an act against nature and doesnt agree that it was a 'good' thing to do.
We should go, Papa, he said. Yes, the man said. But he didn't.
The father does not leave as his son asks. This could be another phase of inhumanity, the man goes through, however his son brings him back to humanity again. The relationship between father and son is not so close at this point as the father ignores his son or maybe is still trying to distance himself from him. The boy has taken more responsibility on in this quote as it is he who is controlling the situation and directing the man instead of the man directing him, this often happens in the novel when the father loses sanity.
The snow fell nor did it cease to fall.
The use of snow as is symbolism of the coldness of life that now is in the world but also brings with it danger but beauty. Pathetic fallacy is used as the coldness of the snow reflects the coldness and reality of life in the future world .The snow keeps falling showing it is persistent and that the world is truly miserable. However the beauty with snow, is that the world becomes a changed landscape and therefore changed people. The snow covers things as if they weren't there, maybe trying to start over on Earth as a clean sheet of snow and cover the evil and 'bad guys' in the novel.
Okay? Okay.
The repetition of 'okay' could refer to life in general at the moment and set the tone that everything is just 'ok' and nothing is perfect and nothing can be appreciated anymore. A question is used firstly to show the response which is a repetition of before. Nothing has changed and nothing is going to get better they are in the middle and that is reflected when they continually repeat 'okay' in the novel.
They sat on the edge of the tub and pulled their shoes on and them he handed the boy the pan and soap and he took the stove and the little bottle of gas and the pistol and wrapped in their blankets and they went back across the yard to the bunker.
They take anything they can find. They get to live some reality being able to wash however the is always the constant fear on the outside world and the 'bad guys' so they hide away in the bunker. The symbolism for the pistol being wrapped in a blanket shows its importance and precious place in the lives of the boy and the man. The pistol represents the 'bad' guy in the man and boy but also their only means of protection from danger. There is repetition of the word 'and' which seems to drag time out and shows how slow life is going in this misery.
Tolling in the silence the minutes of the earth.
The silence of the Earth is now normal. The Earth's minutes are spent in silence and this demonstrates the destruction of life and noise. It is like time has stood still for the man and they boy, there is no hope as there is no noise, no life left no humanity for the Earth. This describes the Earth as it is in the novel which is unimaginable and so contrasting to life today. The is a theme of lost hope and the desolate landscape shows this and with the lost long humanity that the boy and father struggles with and the loss of noise shows that comfort has gone and living creatures with it.
She was gone and the coldness of it was her final gift.
The coldness being referred to as a gift almost personifies her death into sounded like it was almost a good thing. A 'gift' to the man an the boy was her non-emotional death and so they didnt have to suffer and neither did she. The woman has 'gone' just like many other peolpe in the book and McCarthy doesnt focus on this event for long as it is almost normal to the two. Her cold death has no emotion but is not a celebration of their life but just plain depressing and violent and has a numbness to it that blocks out the emotions of the boy and his father. The father does not comfort the boy, as he wants him to be strong enough to handle situations like this. This shows the relationship between the father and son being distanced but supportive.
What does these extracts tells us about;
These extracts from the novel give an insight into what type of the novel this is. The extracts reflect themes of violence,good verses evil and inhumanity. The genre of the novel could be seen as a horror text as there is lots of graphic violent images int the novel. It could also be written in the Bildunsroman form as the boy grows up and becomes mature and more understanding of the world around him. These extracts suggest danger is always present throughout the novel and so you realise something will happen to the man and boy. The extracts reflect a distanced relationship with the boy especially, as the father does not comfort him in violent terrible situations but tries to let him fend for himself so he could be strong if he was alone. Also he if grew to close to his son, and something happened to him it would be very painful for him. From these extracts you learn the story is told in a chronological order as the man and boy strive to reach the coast. The narrative structure consists of many short sentences and dialogue either to build tension or excitement and the dialogue is used to convey the relationship the father and son have and the innocence of the boy.
- the type of novel it might be (the genre/s it seems to draw on or fit with)
- the story (what might happen)
- themes (the ideas it might raise)
- characters and relationships
- the way the story might be told.
This is my child, he said. I wash a dead man's brains out of his hair. That is my job.
This quote reflects the harsh reality of life now and the cannabalism and violence that has become in the furture. At this point in the story a man is holding the child hostage and the father shoots the man in head leaving the brains to cover the child. He states the child is 'his' as if he were property and doesnt refer to his name, maybe suggesting he doesnt want to be close with the child in case something happens to him and tries to distance himself so he could maybe fend for himself. This event is referred to with no expression as if it was a daily chore and is used to it. It provides the reader with a horrific image and expresses the theme of violence. This also shows the relationship between father and son not to be caring or comforting but maybe cold and protective of each other.
Yes I am, he said. I am the one.
The reference to being the 'one' may be inferring he is the only good guy left and is the 'one' to protect his father. Without the boy, the father would go insane and so the boy realises the responsibility he carries. The boy does have to worry about danger, even though his father tries to protect him form the evil in the world, at the same time the boy protects his father from insanity. This shows the theme of responsibility and the relationship between the father and son and how they support each other. The repetition of 'I' shows that shows the boy feels the responsibility on his shoulders and that he is special figure in the novel. His innocence his protected by the father and his innocence on the outlook of the world is reflected in this quote.
Tomatoes, peaches, beans, apricots. Canned hams. Corned beef.
The foods listed above arent very exciting foods however as they are listed in this manner to build excitement. This fortunate event of finding this food is a big thing for them as they have survived on so little. The short sentances builds a tension and show how quickly the mind changes in excitement to one food to another. Although the foods could be listed in this way and with short sentences to show how they have the same foods every night and that it is becoming tiresome.
Are we still the good guys, he said.
This quote portrays the boy's innocence in the novel. The boy refers to the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys' in the novel reflecting his innocence and basic understanding of how the world works. Even though there are 'bad guys' everywhere in the novel, the boy tries to remain true to himself and his father by staying 'good'. There is a theme of good verses evil in this quote as the boy strives to stay good when against everything, it is so easy to become 'bad'. The man's act of killing someone is justified in his sense as he was protecting his son however the boy sees it as an act against nature and doesnt agree that it was a 'good' thing to do.
We should go, Papa, he said. Yes, the man said. But he didn't.
The father does not leave as his son asks. This could be another phase of inhumanity, the man goes through, however his son brings him back to humanity again. The relationship between father and son is not so close at this point as the father ignores his son or maybe is still trying to distance himself from him. The boy has taken more responsibility on in this quote as it is he who is controlling the situation and directing the man instead of the man directing him, this often happens in the novel when the father loses sanity.
The snow fell nor did it cease to fall.
The use of snow as is symbolism of the coldness of life that now is in the world but also brings with it danger but beauty. Pathetic fallacy is used as the coldness of the snow reflects the coldness and reality of life in the future world .The snow keeps falling showing it is persistent and that the world is truly miserable. However the beauty with snow, is that the world becomes a changed landscape and therefore changed people. The snow covers things as if they weren't there, maybe trying to start over on Earth as a clean sheet of snow and cover the evil and 'bad guys' in the novel.
Okay? Okay.
The repetition of 'okay' could refer to life in general at the moment and set the tone that everything is just 'ok' and nothing is perfect and nothing can be appreciated anymore. A question is used firstly to show the response which is a repetition of before. Nothing has changed and nothing is going to get better they are in the middle and that is reflected when they continually repeat 'okay' in the novel.
They sat on the edge of the tub and pulled their shoes on and them he handed the boy the pan and soap and he took the stove and the little bottle of gas and the pistol and wrapped in their blankets and they went back across the yard to the bunker.
They take anything they can find. They get to live some reality being able to wash however the is always the constant fear on the outside world and the 'bad guys' so they hide away in the bunker. The symbolism for the pistol being wrapped in a blanket shows its importance and precious place in the lives of the boy and the man. The pistol represents the 'bad' guy in the man and boy but also their only means of protection from danger. There is repetition of the word 'and' which seems to drag time out and shows how slow life is going in this misery.
Tolling in the silence the minutes of the earth.
The silence of the Earth is now normal. The Earth's minutes are spent in silence and this demonstrates the destruction of life and noise. It is like time has stood still for the man and they boy, there is no hope as there is no noise, no life left no humanity for the Earth. This describes the Earth as it is in the novel which is unimaginable and so contrasting to life today. The is a theme of lost hope and the desolate landscape shows this and with the lost long humanity that the boy and father struggles with and the loss of noise shows that comfort has gone and living creatures with it.
She was gone and the coldness of it was her final gift.
The coldness being referred to as a gift almost personifies her death into sounded like it was almost a good thing. A 'gift' to the man an the boy was her non-emotional death and so they didnt have to suffer and neither did she. The woman has 'gone' just like many other peolpe in the book and McCarthy doesnt focus on this event for long as it is almost normal to the two. Her cold death has no emotion but is not a celebration of their life but just plain depressing and violent and has a numbness to it that blocks out the emotions of the boy and his father. The father does not comfort the boy, as he wants him to be strong enough to handle situations like this. This shows the relationship between the father and son being distanced but supportive.
What does these extracts tells us about;
These extracts from the novel give an insight into what type of the novel this is. The extracts reflect themes of violence,good verses evil and inhumanity. The genre of the novel could be seen as a horror text as there is lots of graphic violent images int the novel. It could also be written in the Bildunsroman form as the boy grows up and becomes mature and more understanding of the world around him. These extracts suggest danger is always present throughout the novel and so you realise something will happen to the man and boy. The extracts reflect a distanced relationship with the boy especially, as the father does not comfort him in violent terrible situations but tries to let him fend for himself so he could be strong if he was alone. Also he if grew to close to his son, and something happened to him it would be very painful for him. From these extracts you learn the story is told in a chronological order as the man and boy strive to reach the coast. The narrative structure consists of many short sentences and dialogue either to build tension or excitement and the dialogue is used to convey the relationship the father and son have and the innocence of the boy.
- the type of novel it might be (the genre/s it seems to draw on or fit with)
- the story (what might happen)
- themes (the ideas it might raise)
- characters and relationships
- the way the story might be told.
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