The Road by Cormac McCarthy

620 Words2 Pages

“Barbarianism is the natural state of mankind. Civilization is unnatural. It is the whim of circumstance. And barbarianism must ultimately triumph.” Throughout the history of mankind the issue of civility has been incredible in its divisive powers. In ancient civilizations civility was attributed to nobility, those born into wealthy and upper class families were seen as more civilized while those born without distinction were deemed savage or less than civilized. As humanity has progressed the concept of civility has changed from a birthright to a difference of ideology. Nevertheless, it all comes down to one notion; humans are beasts like any other creature. Food, shelter, group security, and reproduction are the primal drives of humans; the only distinction is that we are regulated by laws and rules that are meant to be followed. We are savages, and civilization is only a thin pretence. As soon as this pretence breaks down, be it during war, or natural disasters, or rioting, it is then when humanity is revealed. The award-winning novel, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, details the nume...

Open Document