In pages 136-180, i experienced the relationship of the hardships between the father and the son. Symbolizing the events of this section, the storage of boxes(food, drinks, etc,..) in the hatchet(kind of a basement) was their luckiest thing they ever got during their journey. It is like starting from scartch as it was like refreshing a new journey or beginning for them. The man and the son's relationship get harder throughout the story as like the boy cares about everything and the father explains what we should need to survive and we can't do anything for them. Even though the father loves his son, he gave him a break of giving the old man on the road some food. Well, i am looking forward to see what's next on this long journey, but it will only be 2 weeks according to the novel time.
So on the next 45 pages of the Road, I have come to many more conclusions. First of all, I would like to point out what I think may be a symbol in this story. Like the quote, "There is always a light in the darkness". This quote is proven throughout the story many times. first of all, the world is in a crisis and every person does what they can to keep going and survive. The boy happens to be the only pure thing or "light in the darkness" in this world. His mind is still pure of anything bad. He does not think of any consequences as he is still young, but he does try to do as many good deeds as he can. He told his father to feed the old man and the only reason the father did was because of the son. Again the boy was the shining light for the old man. But as the story continued, the son grew older and he began seeing some of the cruel things in the world. They passed a city that was destroyed by a firestorm. His father tried to block the son's eyes from seeing the cruel, dark world, but the son still saw it. Then another event came across the boy.s eyes. A pregnant woman with 3 men passed the boy and the father. The next day the boy spotted the burned infant headless and eaten. The world truely is cruel but sometimes you have to get passed the hardships. So let's see what happens next.
alright, well reading through those next 45 pages made of questions run through my head. First of all i think that the food stored in the shed is a symbol of survival. Not only are they equipped with food for a long time but since they live frugally i think the food will last them a while. Now that said lets get back to the novel. My only question that i have right now relating to y blog is why didn't the man and the son have to struggle to decide whether to share the food with the old man when obviously his conditions were severe. My opinion on it was that they feel that they need the food and since they haven't had it for a long time they can use every bit of it. Now i also agree with GREG-OREO quote, and how the boy is the light in the dark because he is the one who goes out of his way to help others. he is such a caring child and stands out as a role model not only to his family but to their society. Imagine your house is pitch black, and out of the corner of your eye a flickering light catches your attention. i think that that is like the boy because if there was a more civilized world he would be a hero, and the person who changes the society.
In the next 45 pages of the book was a huge sigh of relief for the man and the boy. Finding this basement or hatch full of food and necessities allowed the man to not have to worry about starving until they run out of food again. Like Chris said it was like refreshing a new journey or beginning. I also agree with Gregory that the man's light is the boy and the boy is the thing that keeps him going everyday.
The difference between the man and the boy is that, the boy worries about the other people that are struggling like him and his father. I think it was good that the man finally listened to the boy and helped the old man they saw on the road because they finally had enough food to share with others.
Other than that, this book is very intriguing and I'm excited to find out what happens next.
After reading the next 45 pages of the road, I truly begin to see the hardship that the boy and his father face. They found a bunker with a lot of food and survival supplies that will help them survive a longer amount of time. The symbol that I found was survival, the strive for survival and to trying to help others survival the nuclear winter. The father and the boy find an old man along the way and the boy wants to help him. The father latter finds out that the man had lied to them and that other people had been helping him but he doesn’t believe that the were real. The father and the boy in my opinion may not make it to the coast unless they find another bunker with more food and supplies.
These next 45 pages symbolize hope. When the father and son find the basement filled with all types of materials for survival, they realize it’s not over and that they can still live through it. While living in the basement those few days they seemed so happy, there was no fear of being hungry or being caught. I was surprised when the father decided it was time for them to leave to continue their travel on the road. They took some food and blankets and clothes, but eventually they would run out and be unhappy again.
While traveling again they come across an old man. I found it strange that McCarthy named this character, although he later said that wasn’t his name, since no other character thus far had a name. “Ely” had a lot of interesting things to say. “People are always getting ready for tomorrow. I didn’t believe in that. Tomorrow wasn’t getting ready for them. It didn’t even know they were there.” (Page 168). He’s basically saying to live in the moment and not worry about what is or isn’t going to happen, but savor every moment you have now. Another way “Ely” shows this is from this quote. “When you’re alive, you’ve always got that ahead of you.”(Page 169) Although he acts like he has no hope, I think he truly does but tries to hide it. Also, he inspires the father to keep himself and the boy happy even though they will soon be starving and freezing again.
In next 45 pages of the book, the boy and the man definitely come across a sigh of relief. They find the basement full of food and blankets and all necessities they need to survive. I was also very surprised that the man decided to leave because like Hillary said, they are eventually going to run out of supplies, and then the hardship begins all over again.
Throughout the book, the boy had wanted to help the very few people he saw, but his father said no because they didn’t have anything to give and it wouldn’t help. I think the boy was very happy to finally get to help “Ely.”
The man and the boy had a conversation that really got me thinking…The boy asked the man “If you’re on the lookout all the time does that mean you’re scared all the time?” The man a little later said “Maybe you should always be on the lookout. If trouble comes when you least expect it then maybe the thing to do id to always expect it.” After I read that I realized that that’s exactly what the man has been doing throughout the book. He had the mirror on the old cart to see behind him, he always carries his gun, and they always travel very cautiously. I think the man always expects the worst so he can be prepared and protect his son. The boy is pretty much all he has left and doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him.
The father and son's relationship has become increasingly closer and closer throughout this part of the novel. They have struggled continuously for food until they finally found boxes of food in a home. That event seems to be the father and son's finite heaven when they found an assortment of foods, clean clothes, a bath tub to bath in, and even some pistol ammunition in the home and in close proximity.
In addition, I must add that the boy's character has stayed extremely dynamic throughout this section of the novel. For example, when the two found the all that food and clothing, the boy's attitude was barely relieved and was fairly neutral. When the boy is starving for days, he asks his father calmly, not with any worry, if they were going to die. The father repeatedly answered with a hopeful "Yes". This expresses that the father is the character who is truly struggling with his own character, constantly suffering to keep his attitude as hopeful and trying hard to ignore death's relief on their souls.
Throughout the next 45 pages of the book, there was definitly a symbol of survival and hope. The food that the man and his son come across symbolizes this because it gives them a better chance of survival and gives them hope that they will survive.
The boys curiousity and wonder is shown in these pages when he says: "If you're on the lookout all the time does that mean that you're scared all the time?" (151)This quote showed that the boy still doesn't have a complete understanding on what's going on around them, but is slowly beginning to catch on.
I also agree with Hillary about "Ely". He gives the man and his son a different outlook, and inspires them to look at their situation differently. The mans main goal throughout the story so far has been to keep his son safe, and he has shown that he would do just about anything to make sure he does.
In the next section of this novel, the boy and father discover a cellar filled with goods like foods and everything else they could possibly need. Discovering the cellar is definitely a symbol of survival and the continuation of life. Obviously, somebody had stocked up before the disaster because there are large amounts of things there that boy and dad need. Finding the things in the cellar has put the boy and dad in a positive state of mind. Although they are both very happy now, the dad remains paranoid by saying that they cannot stay in the cellar even though the boy begs to stay their. When they leave, they are both in high spirits. The boy talks about things like Mars and spaceships in an enthusiastic way which the boy knows will make his father happy because he is acting in a childish manner. Soon after though, the boy asks about their long term goals. The father becomes very defensive and the father becomes upset and fearful that his boy is growing up and will no longer need his father as a care taker. I feel a strong connection to that part of the novel because I know my mom and dad get upset when I do something that proves I no longer need them by my side 24/7 anymore. It’s a parent’s prerogative to feel that their child will always need them. But when their child proves that statement wrong, it really can hurt them and make them feel unneeded and unwanted.
In this chapter of the book, the characters gain new hope for survival when they find food and tools. The man and the boy experience a feeling of joy which they have not felt in a long time. Feeling joyful gives them a reason to go on. It is so sad when the boy asks if they can say thanks for all the food and supplies. This is how we really know the boy appreciates everything he is given or taken.
I can’t believe that the little boy is not more emotional about leaving the hide-out. The hide-out has provided a small comfort in their otherwise dangerous world. It has been a place to take a bath, eat and sleep and now they have to leave it all behind and move on. If I were the little boy I would be really mad about leaving the hide-out. In my opinion the little boy is very understanding for his age.
I also think it is strange the way they randomly stumbled upon a wrecked train in the woods. Where did that come from? I associate trains with transportation – with going somewhere. Could this non-functional train possibly symbolize their predicament? Does the train tell us that they’re stuck with no possibility of escape? Is the author trying to tell us something to just toying with our minds?
Lastly I have noticed that throughout the book, the boy hates handling the pistol. Every time his dad gives him the pistol the boy hesitates and doesn’t want to take it. You might think the boy would take it out of fear, so he could defend himself; however, I think he doesn’t take it because he’s scared he will have to use it. Also, if he accepts the gun, then he accepts responsibility for himself. In truth, he releases his dad from taking care of him and he becomes the adult. Clearly, he’s not ready for that role yet.
My personal opinion is that even thought the boy and the father found the survival supplies and food, they still will not survive. McCarthy isn’t the kind of writer who would change such a miserable book to happy in a matter of 45 pages. I really thing the boy is having a hard time dealing with everything because he has to act more responsible and un-like a child. And I think the father doesn’t connect with what is going on. I think he is always lost in his thoughts and not connecting his mind to reality. Its really sad for the child to grow up in a world like that and not get the experience of a real childhood. And I think the father at moments feels bad. Its just very deep because McCarthy’s writing actually makes you feel the fear they feel. I also noticed something Alexa wrote, saying the boy doesn’t like handling the pistol, I think that the boy will accidentally shoot his father in fear, because he cannot see in the dark and thinks his father is a predator. I feel like the more the book goes on the more the boy and his father loose themselves and hope. Not that there is hope to be had there, but its like their flame is dimming. This book has a lot of twists and turns and its always something new. I am still a little lost but im getting it slowly.
In pages 136-180 The relationship of protagonists has become much closer and throughout this part of the novel. Like Like Nick said "They have struggled continuously for food until they finally found boxes of food in a home. That event seems to be the father and son's finite heaven when they found an assortment of foods, clean clothes, a bath tub to bath in, and even some pistol ammunition in the home and in close proximity."
The boy and the father have much in common that they never knew about until recently. However, they have they do have different personalities. The difference between them is that the boy worries about the other people that are struggling like him and his father. I think it was good that his father finally listened to him and helped the old man that they saw on the road. They finally had enough food to share with others. In my opinion it was also a bonding moment when they both helped that man together. This book so far has been decent however it is good enough to keep me interested i cant wait to read some more.....
Throughout these next 45 pages of The Road, the story has taken many interesting turns. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, they got much better when the boy and the man found the food in the bunker. This discovery symbolized salvation and a light at the end of the tunnel. After, the tone of the book changed quite a bit. While reading the novel, the struggle for survival was a distraction from the man and boy’s relationship, which shined throughout these pages. The reader found out a lot about the man and son’s true nature. Also, the boy came across as a cherub, very sweet and innocent. For example, the morning after they discovered the bunker, the boy said a prayer for the people who had left that the food behind. He said, “Dear people, thank you for all this food and stuff […] we’re sorry you didn’t get to eat it and we hope that you’re safe in heaven with God.” (143). This was also important because it was one of the first times the boy has expressed a true belief in God, or at least a higher power.
Surviving with nothing is impossible, but learning to adapt to your surroundings and survive is a miracle. What I find interesting is how they continue to move on so little and more so, why they continue to move at all? Motivation is our focus in this novel as it gives me a clear hole into the heart of not only asking the question of motivation in the book but self. Beyond a reasonable doubt, motivation by the father to stay alive for the son gives me insight into what my motivation is today. Almost inspiring in sorts, the father gave me that last push to discount all physical objects as meaningful and understand the secret to happiness. By living with nothing, they learn to be happy with nothing... and when they come across items of epic proportions, it is the fact they will be with each other another day, not the items they came across.
This section was unlike any other 45 pages of this book, as it actually put a smile on my face. Just when food is scarce enough, and their physical energy has fallen faster than a lead balloon, they can relax and enjoy the commonly underestimated feeling of comfort. However, in the midst of all this happiness, the man has a dream about an alien. I read over this dream a couple times, and found that they are aliens themselves. An alien is a creature from a planet that no longer exists. They are aliens to each other, and to themselves. The boy never sees any human interaction besides what he sees from his father. After coming in contact with another man, and conversing with him, will the boy think different of his father?
I was so excited when the father and boy came across food, and a place to stay for a while. It was as if God was telling them to not give up and to keep going because he is watching over them. And that throughout the hardships they have been going through, they can make it. But, why would they leave a great location like that? I could understand if they were scared but if they just made it so that the entrance was well hidden they could have stay for so much longer, months even. To me I thought it was the start of something new for the father. It is as though a period of relief and for a moment relaxation, something he hadn’t had in a while would change his views on what he was thinking. But when the old man comes along it is the boy that surprises me.
During these pages it accord to me that the father has no idea how to act around other humans, unless it is running away. His son however, has such a level of maturity that it is almost overwhelming to understand. From what we have gathered the boy never really interacted with others, not ever. So how is it that he can convince his father, the man suspicious of everyone and thing, to let him eat and spend the night with them, also giving him some of the food they had discovered down in the shelter?
From pages 136-180 i have discovered that even through the hardest of times there is and will always be hope.
The man and the boy were almost positive that they were going to die from starvation. Then suddenly they found an underground shed that was fully equipped with a large food supply. I think that the whole situation might have made them really uneasy because i think that maybe they were coming to except death, and possibly even start to like the fact that they didn't have to keep fighting for their lives or keep going when all they wanted to do was give up. I mean i think that we all can relate to a situation like this. Of course in most of our cases death wouldn't be the component. But i know that i have been in a situation that can relate to this pertaining to a friend. i have also found that a huge difference between the boy and the father is that the boy cares a lot more about other people than the father does only because i think the boy still does not understand that they cant share their things with other poeple or they will die. And that in this case it is every man for themselves.
18 comments:
In pages 136-180, i experienced the relationship of the hardships between the father and the son. Symbolizing the events of this section, the storage of boxes(food, drinks, etc,..) in the hatchet(kind of a basement) was their luckiest thing they ever got during their journey. It is like starting from scartch as it was like refreshing a new journey or beginning for them. The man and the son's relationship get harder throughout the story as like the boy cares about everything and the father explains what we should need to survive and we can't do anything for them. Even though the father loves his son, he gave him a break of giving the old man on the road some food. Well, i am looking forward to see what's next on this long journey, but it will only be 2 weeks according to the novel time.
:))))))))))
So on the next 45 pages of the Road, I have come to many more conclusions. First of all, I would like to point out what I think may be a symbol in this story. Like the quote, "There is always a light in the darkness". This quote is proven throughout the story many times. first of all, the world is in a crisis and every person does what they can to keep going and survive. The boy happens to be the only pure thing or "light in the darkness" in this world. His mind is still pure of anything bad. He does not think of any consequences as he is still young, but he does try to do as many good deeds as he can. He told his father to feed the old man and the only reason the father did was because of the son. Again the boy was the shining light for the old man. But as the story continued, the son grew older and he began seeing some of the cruel things in the world. They passed a city that was destroyed by a firestorm. His father tried to block the son's eyes from seeing the cruel, dark world, but the son still saw it. Then another event came across the boy.s eyes. A pregnant woman with 3 men passed the boy and the father. The next day the boy spotted the burned infant headless and eaten. The world truely is cruel but sometimes you have to get passed the hardships. So let's see what happens next.
alright, well reading through those next 45 pages made of questions run through my head. First of all i think that the food stored in the shed is a symbol of survival. Not only are they equipped with food for a long time but since they live frugally i think the food will last them a while. Now that said lets get back to the novel. My only question that i have right now relating to y blog is why didn't the man and the son have to struggle to decide whether to share the food with the old man when obviously his conditions were severe. My opinion on it was that they feel that they need the food and since they haven't had it for a long time they can use every bit of it. Now i also agree with GREG-OREO quote, and how the boy is the light in the dark because he is the one who goes out of his way to help others. he is such a caring child and stands out as a role model not only to his family but to their society. Imagine your house is pitch black, and out of the corner of your eye a flickering light catches your attention. i think that that is like the boy because if there was a more civilized world he would be a hero, and the person who changes the society.
In the next 45 pages of the book was a huge sigh of relief for the man and the boy. Finding this basement or hatch full of food and necessities allowed the man to not have to worry about starving until they run out of food again. Like Chris said it was like refreshing a new journey or beginning. I also agree with Gregory that the man's light is the boy and the boy is the thing that keeps him going everyday.
The difference between the man and the boy is that, the boy worries about the other people that are struggling like him and his father. I think it was good that the man finally listened to the boy and helped the old man they saw on the road because they finally had enough food to share with others.
Other than that, this book is very intriguing and I'm excited to find out what happens next.
After reading the next 45 pages of the road, I truly begin to see the hardship that the boy and his father face. They found a bunker with a lot of food and survival supplies that will help them survive a longer amount of time. The symbol that I found was survival, the strive for survival and to trying to help others survival the nuclear winter. The father and the boy find an old man along the way and the boy wants to help him. The father latter finds out that the man had lied to them and that other people had been helping him but he doesn’t believe that the were real. The father and the boy in my opinion may not make it to the coast unless they find another bunker with more food and supplies.
These next 45 pages symbolize hope. When the father and son find the basement filled with all types of materials for survival, they realize it’s not over and that they can still live through it. While living in the basement those few days they seemed so happy, there was no fear of being hungry or being caught. I was surprised when the father decided it was time for them to leave to continue their travel on the road. They took some food and blankets and clothes, but eventually they would run out and be unhappy again.
While traveling again they come across an old man. I found it strange that McCarthy named this character, although he later said that wasn’t his name, since no other character thus far had a name. “Ely” had a lot of interesting things to say. “People are always getting ready for tomorrow. I didn’t believe in that. Tomorrow wasn’t getting ready for them. It didn’t even know they were there.” (Page 168). He’s basically saying to live in the moment and not worry about what is or isn’t going to happen, but savor every moment you have now. Another way “Ely” shows this is from this quote. “When you’re alive, you’ve always got that ahead of you.”(Page 169) Although he acts like he has no hope, I think he truly does but tries to hide it. Also, he inspires the father to keep himself and the boy happy even though they will soon be starving and freezing again.
In next 45 pages of the book, the boy and the man definitely come across a sigh of relief. They find the basement full of food and blankets and all necessities they need to survive. I was also very surprised that the man decided to leave because like Hillary said, they are eventually going to run out of supplies, and then the hardship begins all over again.
Throughout the book, the boy had wanted to help the very few people he saw, but his father said no because they didn’t have anything to give and it wouldn’t help. I think the boy was very happy to finally get to help “Ely.”
The man and the boy had a conversation that really got me thinking…The boy asked the man “If you’re on the lookout all the time does that mean you’re scared all the time?” The man a little later said “Maybe you should always be on the lookout. If trouble comes when you least expect it then maybe the thing to do id to always expect it.” After I read that I realized that that’s exactly what the man has been doing throughout the book. He had the mirror on the old cart to see behind him, he always carries his gun, and they always travel very cautiously. I think the man always expects the worst so he can be prepared and protect his son. The boy is pretty much all he has left and doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him.
The father and son's relationship has become increasingly closer and closer throughout this part of the novel. They have struggled continuously for food until they finally found boxes of food in a home. That event seems to be the father and son's finite heaven when they found an assortment of foods, clean clothes, a bath tub to bath in, and even some pistol ammunition in the home and in close proximity.
In addition, I must add that the boy's character has stayed extremely dynamic throughout this section of the novel. For example, when the two found the all that food and clothing, the boy's attitude was barely relieved and was fairly neutral. When the boy is starving for days, he asks his father calmly, not with any worry, if they were going to die. The father repeatedly answered with a hopeful "Yes". This expresses that the father is the character who is truly struggling with his own character, constantly suffering to keep his attitude as hopeful and trying hard to ignore death's relief on their souls.
Throughout the next 45 pages of the book, there was definitly a symbol of survival and hope. The food that the man and his son come across symbolizes this because it gives them a better chance of survival and gives them hope that they will survive.
The boys curiousity and wonder is shown in these pages when he says: "If you're on the lookout all the time does that mean that you're scared all the time?" (151)This quote showed that the boy still doesn't have a complete understanding on what's going on around them, but is slowly beginning to catch on.
I also agree with Hillary about "Ely". He gives the man and his son a different outlook, and inspires them to look at their situation differently. The mans main goal throughout the story so far has been to keep his son safe, and he has shown that he would do just about anything to make sure he does.
In the next section of this novel, the boy and father discover a cellar filled with goods like foods and everything else they could possibly need. Discovering the cellar is definitely a symbol of survival and the continuation of life. Obviously, somebody had stocked up before the disaster because there are large amounts of things there that boy and dad need. Finding the things in the cellar has put the boy and dad in a positive state of mind. Although they are both very happy now, the dad remains paranoid by saying that they cannot stay in the cellar even though the boy begs to stay their. When they leave, they are both in high spirits. The boy talks about things like Mars and spaceships in an enthusiastic way which the boy knows will make his father happy because he is acting in a childish manner. Soon after though, the boy asks about their long term goals. The father becomes very defensive and the father becomes upset and fearful that his boy is growing up and will no longer need his father as a care taker. I feel a strong connection to that part of the novel because I know my mom and dad get upset when I do something that proves I no longer need them by my side 24/7 anymore. It’s a parent’s prerogative to feel that their child will always need them. But when their child proves that statement wrong, it really can hurt them and make them feel unneeded and unwanted.
In this chapter of the book, the characters gain new hope for survival when they find food and tools. The man and the boy experience a feeling of joy which they have not felt in a long time. Feeling joyful gives them a reason to go on. It is so sad when the boy asks if they can say thanks for all the food and supplies. This is how we really know the boy appreciates everything he is given or taken.
I can’t believe that the little boy is not more emotional about leaving the hide-out. The hide-out has provided a small comfort in their otherwise dangerous world. It has been a place to take a bath, eat and sleep and now they have to leave it all behind and move on. If I were the little boy I would be really mad about leaving the hide-out. In my opinion the little boy is very understanding for his age.
I also think it is strange the way they randomly stumbled upon a wrecked train in the woods. Where did that come from? I associate trains with transportation – with going somewhere. Could this non-functional train possibly symbolize their predicament? Does the train tell us that they’re stuck with no possibility of escape? Is the author trying to tell us something to just toying with our minds?
Lastly I have noticed that throughout the book, the boy hates handling the pistol. Every time his dad gives him the pistol the boy hesitates and doesn’t want to take it. You might think the boy would take it out of fear, so he could defend himself; however, I think he doesn’t take it because he’s scared he will have to use it. Also, if he accepts the gun, then he accepts responsibility for himself. In truth, he releases his dad from taking care of him and he becomes the adult. Clearly, he’s not ready for that role yet.
My personal opinion is that even thought the boy and the father found the survival supplies and food, they still will not survive. McCarthy isn’t the kind of writer who would change such a miserable book to happy in a matter of 45 pages. I really thing the boy is having a hard time dealing with everything because he has to act more responsible and un-like a child. And I think the father doesn’t connect with what is going on. I think he is always lost in his thoughts and not connecting his mind to reality. Its really sad for the child to grow up in a world like that and not get the experience of a real childhood. And I think the father at moments feels bad. Its just very deep because McCarthy’s writing actually makes you feel the fear they feel. I also noticed something Alexa wrote, saying the boy doesn’t like handling the pistol, I think that the boy will accidentally shoot his father in fear, because he cannot see in the dark and thinks his father is a predator. I feel like the more the book goes on the more the boy and his father loose themselves and hope. Not that there is hope to be had there, but its like their flame is dimming. This book has a lot of twists and turns and its always something new. I am still a little lost but im getting it slowly.
In pages 136-180
The relationship of protagonists has become much closer and throughout this part of the novel. Like Like Nick said "They have struggled continuously for food until they finally found boxes of food in a home. That event seems to be the father and son's finite heaven when they found an assortment of foods, clean clothes, a bath tub to bath in, and even some pistol ammunition in the home and in close proximity."
The boy and the father have much in common that they never knew about until recently. However, they have they do have different personalities. The difference between them is that the boy worries about the other people that are struggling like him and his father. I think it was good that his father finally listened to him and helped the old man that they saw on the road. They finally had enough food to share with others. In my opinion it was also a bonding moment when they both helped that man together.
This book so far has been decent however it is good enough to keep me interested i cant wait to read some more.....
Throughout these next 45 pages of The Road, the story has taken many interesting turns. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, they got much better when the boy and the man found the food in the bunker. This discovery symbolized salvation and a light at the end of the tunnel. After, the tone of the book changed quite a bit. While reading the novel, the struggle for survival was a distraction from the man and boy’s relationship, which shined throughout these pages. The reader found out a lot about the man and son’s true nature. Also, the boy came across as a cherub, very sweet and innocent. For example, the morning after they discovered the bunker, the boy said a prayer for the people who had left that the food behind. He said, “Dear people, thank you for all this food and stuff […] we’re sorry you didn’t get to eat it and we hope that you’re safe in heaven with God.” (143). This was also important because it was one of the first times the boy has expressed a true belief in God, or at least a higher power.
Surviving with nothing is impossible, but learning to adapt to your surroundings and survive is a miracle. What I find interesting is how they continue to move on so little and more so, why they continue to move at all? Motivation is our focus in this novel as it gives me a clear hole into the heart of not only asking the question of motivation in the book but self. Beyond a reasonable doubt, motivation by the father to stay alive for the son gives me insight into what my motivation is today. Almost inspiring in sorts, the father gave me that last push to discount all physical objects as meaningful and understand the secret to happiness. By living with nothing, they learn to be happy with nothing... and when they come across items of epic proportions, it is the fact they will be with each other another day, not the items they came across.
This section was unlike any other 45 pages of this book, as it actually put a smile on my face. Just when food is scarce enough, and their physical energy has fallen faster than a lead balloon, they can relax and enjoy the commonly underestimated feeling of comfort. However, in the midst of all this happiness, the man has a dream about an alien. I read over this dream a couple times, and found that they are aliens themselves. An alien is a creature from a planet that no longer exists. They are aliens to each other, and to themselves. The boy never sees any human interaction besides what he sees from his father. After coming in contact with another man, and conversing with him, will the boy think different of his father?
I was so excited when the father and boy came across food, and a place to stay for a while. It was as if God was telling them to not give up and to keep going because he is watching over them. And that throughout the hardships they have been going through, they can make it. But, why would they leave a great location like that? I could understand if they were scared but if they just made it so that the entrance was well hidden they could have stay for so much longer, months even. To me I thought it was the start of something new for the father. It is as though a period of relief and for a moment relaxation, something he hadn’t had in a while would change his views on what he was thinking. But when the old man comes along it is the boy that surprises me.
During these pages it accord to me that the father has no idea how to act around other humans, unless it is running away. His son however, has such a level of maturity that it is almost overwhelming to understand. From what we have gathered the boy never really interacted with others, not ever. So how is it that he can convince his father, the man suspicious of everyone and thing, to let him eat and spend the night with them, also giving him some of the food they had discovered down in the shelter?
From pages 136-180 i have discovered that even through the hardest of times there is and will always be hope.
The man and the boy were almost positive that they were going to die from starvation. Then suddenly they found an underground shed that was fully equipped with a large food supply. I think that the whole situation might have made them really uneasy because i think that maybe they were coming to except death, and possibly even start to like the fact that they didn't have to keep fighting for their lives or keep going when all they wanted to do was give up. I mean i think that we all can relate to a situation like this. Of course in most of our cases death wouldn't be the component. But i know that i have been in a situation that can relate to this pertaining to a friend. i have also found that a huge difference between the boy and the father is that the boy cares a lot more about other people than the father does only because i think the boy still does not understand that they cant share their things with other poeple or they will die. And that in this case it is every man for themselves.
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