The Road

1. The Road Final Note

2. Terms to know • Topic: A subject that a piece of literature is about. Example: human nature • Theme: The message(s) or lesson(s) one is meant to receive/learn from a text Example: humans are naturally good , but when faced with desperation they commit evil acts

3. Terms to Review • Symbolism • Pathetic Fallacy • Conflict • Imagery • Flashback

4. Topics addressed in The Road • Humanity & Inhumanity • Mortality • Good versus Evil • Isolation • Survival • Man versus nature • Familial love • The end of the world • Hope • Courage

5. Topics addressed in The Road Each of the topics listed in the previous slide can be linked to the messages that are provided in the novel. Topics can become themes based on their overall presentation

6. Humanity & Inhumanity- Examples • Throughout the novel we see several acts of inhumanity: the cannibals, the road rat, the baby on a spit, etc.

7. Humanity & Inhumanity- Theme • When faced with a hopeless situation man is capable of committing inhumane acts • The loss of one’s humanity can result in a lack of compassion, understanding and can lead to the ability to commit inhumane acts

8. Mortality- Examples • They are surrounded with death: they see corpses on the road, see people die, the wife is dead and are faced with their own mortality (at one point they are at the brink of death). • The boy worries that they will die and questions this. The man always admits that they will die someday. • Despite the constant threat of death they keep going

9. Mortality- Theme • Essentially death (ones own mortality) is inevitable. • For the man and the boy it is clear that death is inevitable • Despite being surrounded by death they preserver on their journey. • Therefore, it is having purpose or a journey that can allow one to continue when faced with death

10. Good Vs Evil - Examples • The boy is always worried about being a good guy and identifying the bad guys • The boy wants to help people (Ely) and do the right thing • He fear the bad guys and sees evidence of their wrong doings • The man kills the road rat to protect his son, leaves the half-eaten people to dies with no help and refuses to help others. Yet he still sees himself as a good guy

11. Good Vs Evil- Theme • In such a difficult world the lines between good and evil blurred. • It is the intention that determines the goodness of a man • Even in a world of evil, goodness can exist

12. Imagery in The Road • Light and Dark imageryis linked with the ideas of good and evil. • The boy is surrounded by light and considered to be good • The world is dark and covered in ash. The world is a dangerous place

13. Symbols in The Road • The Boy= goodness and hope • The fire= hope • The coins= the values of the current world vs that of the past civilization • The Coca-cola= the consumer values of the past world • The Infant on a spite= the inhumanity man is capable of

14. Symbols in The Road • The Road= often represents the mindset of various characters • The Man dying at a Crossroads= The boy is left with a choice – lay down and die or continue on.

15. Other Symbols • The decaying houses • The bunker • The Spanish Coin & Arrow Head • The Flare Pistol • The Roadrat • The cannibals • The map • The mother • The 2 bullets • The billboards

16. Pathetic Fallacy • When nature reflects the character’s state of mind • Often nature is at it’s harshest when the man and boy are at low points • Memories provide good examples of the contrast • In the bunker the environment is different– is this important?

17. Dreams • Dreams play an interesting role in the novel • Bad dreams are encouraged • Essentially dreams are a reflection of their state of mind • Good dreams are considered a sign of giving up