Tuesday, 13 November 2012

Charcater Analysis of the Boy

We can see The Boy as a child prodigy, not for doing something amazing, but is able to stay in control of his feelings during the harsh conditions. We can also say that the boy is not a selfish character as most children around his age (although it doesn't say his age in the book, we can suggest he is around 9 or 10) but instead he is constantly thinking of others as they walk the road, one example of this is the man who was struck by lightening; and gets very upset with his 'papa' for not staying to help him. The boys compassion inspires The Man to this 'love-fest' late in the book "You have my whole heart. You always did. You're the best guy. You always were".

The Boy also has moments of fear. Again and again, he begs the man not to go upstairs or open cellar doors out of fear of what maybe there. He also cries a lot in the book, like any child would, and needs his father their to comfort him during this lower times. Although, he can be difficult or unkind towards his father, he threw away the flute given to him by his father who carved it for him. We can say that The Boy can be seen as self-righteous, one example of this was how The Man tells stories to keep their spirits, The Boy is more concerned about the treatment of other people they meet on the road who is worse off then them.

McCarthy also often describes The Boy using religious symbols and languages. At one point, the man describes The Boy's blond head '[g]olden chalice, good house to a god.' The Boy sometimes seems like a divine child who can inspire The Man to goodness. The Boy's gentle nature provides us readers with hope for the future of the story. Though he has only known this savage, post-apocalyptic world, he's still full of kindness and innocence. 
'The Road' Cormac McCarthy | CCW Catalyst 9 | Scoop.it


1 comment:

  1. Well done for inventing extra work. I've tweeted that people should read this.

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