(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.
Well done again. The collapse of morality and order is evident in this seen. You also identify the blurring of the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys'. Does the child alone have a civilising impact on the man?
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