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The Road By Cormac Mccarthy

Decent Essays
In Cormac McCarthy’s novel The Road, it is very important to both the man and the boy to distinguish between good and bad people. In this post-apocalyptic world, it is very difficult to survive while continuing to remain a good person. The importance of the separation of good and bad people is shown through a possible theme, the conflict between good and evil. It’s also shown through and example of symbolism, the fire that the boy says they must continue to carry. Finally, dark imagery shows that it is difficult for the man and the boy to remain the good guys. With these three literary elements, McCarthy shows that it is important to the man and the boy to keep a distinction between good and bad people so that they can keep hope in their world.

Throughout The Road, it is very important to both the man and to the boy to distinguish between good and bad people. This idea is supported by one of the main themes of the novel, the conflict between good and evil. Throughout the book, the boy is looking for confirmation that himself and his father are the “good guys”. The boy is also looking to confirm that the bad guys are those who are out to hurt them. The boy is intent on knowing this, as the division between the good and the bad people in this post-apocalyptic world is not always clear. For instance, near the beginning of the novel, the man and the boy encounter a group of people on the road. Worried about the boy’s safety, the man shoots one man who found them in the forest.
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