Write an Essay on “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy
Analyzing the role of “fire” in the novel
Analyze and elucidate one or more of the novel’s central themes using the recurring symbol of light or fire in all its forms in the novel.
One of the most dominant symbols of the novel is “carrying the fire.” Actually, both fire and light recur quite often in the novel in both negative and positive
ways. After all, it is fire (in some form, very possibly including a nuclear conflagration) that has destroyed the entire world. But of course, it is also important
as a symbol with regards to the relationship between the father and son.
Again, even though you may be focusing on the “carrying the fire” symbol, this essay prompt requires that you also discuss how fire, in general, relates to one
of the central themes of the book and how it has shaped the characters’ reality.
Another passage you MUST analyze for this prompt is the father’s flashback scene of watching the “rough men” burning the snakes. If you’re analyzing how
fire is used as a symbol in this book it’s impossible to ignore this important passage.
Assuming the rough men and snakes are metaphors, what exactly is McCarthy making a comparison of here?
What new insight to we have into the themes of the book from this passage? What main message does McCarthy seem to be giving us?