The Road - post IV

There are some really big questions being asked by McCarthy all the time in The Road. If there is no such thing as God – if the dead world seems to disprove his existence – then why should you be kind to others? Why keep living when there seems to be no point? How do you die when those you leave behind are doomed?

All the time you keep wondering what you would do in a similar situation. Somehow although the bunker full of supplies that the father and son find is tempting you suspect that the safety of movement would win out. The Road is at least a destination and a reason for staying alive. The 200 mile journey to the coast might at least keep you going. Quite what you will find once you get there is anyone’s guess. But it taps into the American spirit to keep moving in search of something better and you are reminded in an odd way of Grapes of Wrath and the journey to the West.

More tomorrow…