Cormac Mccarthy The Road Analysis

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Cormac McCarthy creates a society where only the most savage of humans can thrive. This pushes humans to lose their sense of humanity and use any means necessary for survival. The boy in “The Road” goes against his society and never loses his sense of humanity.
Throughout the novel, the boy demonstrates his kindness towards human life multiple times. The boy sees an injured man and wants his father's assistance to help the stranger:
The boy kept looking back. Papa? he whispered. What is wrong with the man?
[The Man:] He's been struck by lightning.
[The Boy:] Cant we help him? Papa?
[The Man:] No. We cant help him.
[The Boy:] The boy kept pulling at his coat. Papa? he said.
[The Man:] Stop it.
[The Boy:] Cant we help him Papa?
[The Man:] No. …show more content…

For example, as the man and the boy are walking along the road, they pass by an old man that is in desperate need of food:
[The Man:] I dont think he should have anything. What do you want to give him?
[The Boy:] We could cook something on the stove. He could eat with us.
[The Man:] You’re talking about stopping. For the night.
[The Boy:] Yeah. (165)
While the boy is able to convince his father to stop for the night and help the old man. Other people who have accustomed to the savage society would have either ignored the old man or stolen what little he had. The boy was willing to sacrifice his scarce amount of food for the stranger and give the old man a sense of comfort. He is a selfless person that is always eager to help other people. The boy rejects societal norms and never gives up his compassion towards other people. No matter what position the boy is in, he always makes sure to try to help anyone in need. The boy was willing to help an injured person, wanted to bring an abandoned child with him and he even sacrifices his own food supply. Even though the boy was born in a society that forgot their own humanity, he never forgets

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