THE ROAD —- Growing Up in A Nutshell

Posted on May 22, 2019 by 20tangd

Even though the novel THE ROAD by Cormac McCarthy may not be the most accurate and classic post-apocalyptic novel due to the world it describes being too fictional that human exists even though every other species has gone extinct, it is definitely a novel that reflects on growing up and the relationship between parents and children. In the novel, the boy learned to be independent, experienced leaving his dad whom he loves, and he and his dad developed gaps due to their different values and identities.

The son and the dad in the book are nameless, which suggests Cormac McCarthy intended to uses them as universal examples for a parent and a child. The son in the novel grows significantly more independent as the story progresses. Being independent is an important aspect of being an adult. The boy shows his independence in his language. After he and his father left the bunker the boy questioned his dad about what their “long term goal” was (McCarthy 160). The phrase “long term goal” is not what a child would use normally. Let alone a kid that has grown up in the ashes and has never been educated formally. This phrase is not here for nothing. In the real world, there are examples that a parent would be surprised by a child’s mature action; Many readers should have experienced, as children or as parents, similar occasions. Cormac McCarthy put this language here to indicate the growth of the son. Different from his father, the son’s maturity hasn’t taken away his ability to empathize yet. People in the world of the novel shows an extreme lack of empathy. They always put themselves first before others, which is going to be true in an uncivilized world with extremely limited resources. The boy, however, possessed some empathy from some mysterious place. Near the end of the book, a poor guy took away all the stuff that the man and the boy had. The man commanded him to give them all of his stuff with what he stole. The man didn’t think he killed the guy, but the boy reminded him “But we did kill him” (McCarthy 260). People, like every other creature in the world, are born for themselves. Being able to put themselves into other’s shoes is an important skill that a person in a civilized world should learn. From the beginning of the book, the boy has had this ability, but this was the first time that he was able to convince his father to do something, and the man put the the thief’s things back onto the road. The boy is now able to do something with his empathy, which is a sign of having a matured mind.

When people grow up, they always have to face a step of leaving the people they love, especially their parents. Leaving parents can be heartbreaking, but people have to face it, and often a parent will encourage a child to leave them. This phase is also represented in this novel, though in a more dramatic way. The force that separated them was death. When the man was dying, he didn’t want his son to stay with him untill his last minute. Rather, he told the boy that “[The boy] needs to go on, I can’t go with you. You need to keep going. You don’t know what might be down the road. We are always lucky. You’ll be lucky again. You’ll see. Just go. It’s alright” (McCarthy 278). The boy’s reaction was natural, he didn’t go. They are carrying the fire, just like people carrying the torch of the Olympics that they pass on. The man, like every parent, asked his child to leave him and keep carrying the fire into the unknown even though the parting must have hurt him and his son. If everything stays the same, no one would want to and need to leave the person they love, but the world is not like this. Leaving is an unavoidable stage of growing up, and THE ROAD shows this.

Growing up is not always a smooth process. Each individual has different values and identities. This is especially influential in a parent-child relationship because the relationship is usually very close and the age difference is usually very large. The man and the boy both value different things, and Cormac McCarthy amplifies this by putting them into a world that is always full of pressure and decisions that were to be made. Any differences they have are going to have a big impact on their relationship but the man always forgives the son. The New York Times article Left Behind describes one example, “The son, born after the sky opened, has no memory of the world that was. His father gave him lessons about it but then he stopped” (Kennedy). Their generational gap is so huge that the man could not really give the son a sense of what the past was. In real life, it is also hard for a parent born in the 1980s to teach a child that was born in the 2010s how a floppy disk worked or what a flip phone could do. Beyond the generational gap, the boy also had different beliefs to the man because the boy was protected and the man was protecting. The boy never wanted to take the pistol —- a tool the man used to protect his son. When the man went onto the ship to collect supplies, he gave the pistol to the boy. After he came back he asked the boy for the pistol but “the boy froze. He looked terrified” (McCarthy 232). He threw the pistol away because he was the one that was being protected and he didn’t want to accept the benefit to surviving of the pistol is higher than its negativity of killing. After the man found the pistol, “he aligned the cylinder for the true cartridge to come up” (McCarthy 233). He is always ready to protect his son despite the fact that the son made a mistake to him. In the real world, every child has let down their parent, but their parent usually chooses to not blame the mistake on their child and keep loving their child.


THE ROAD by Cormac McCarthy is a work that reflects the process of growing up. Cormac McCarthy wrote at the beginning of the book that it is dedicated to his son John Francis McCarthy, which suggested that the book is about a parent-child relationship. Throughout the book, Cormac McCarthy has placed many elements into the novel to imply to us that this novel is not about the fact of the world ending, but about a story of growing up, that has been dramatized by the post-apocalyptic world.

Work Cited

Kennedy, Willam. “Left Behind.” Sunday Book Review, 8 Oct. 2006.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

188 Responses to THE ROAD —- Growing Up in A Nutshell

  1. 20tangd says:
    May 22, 2019 at 11:27 am

    This is not my favorite book, but I think this essay is good. One thing I can feel is that this book is more about growing up, so that’s what I focused my essay on. I connected essential parts of growing up in our real life with the plots in the novel. I like the line “People, like every other creature in the world, are born for themselves.” I should have more sources to support my points but I couldn’t find any.

  3. https://concretewiki.site/ says:
    June 3, 2026 at 1:25 pm

    References:

    Instant Casino aktuelle Angebote

    References:
    https://concretewiki.site/

  4. https://bom.so/ says:
    June 3, 2026 at 1:44 pm

    References:

    New mexico casinos https://bom.so/

  5. http://madk-auto.ru/ says:
    June 3, 2026 at 8:51 pm

    References:

    Southern california casinos http://madk-auto.ru/

  13. telegra.ph says:
    June 8, 2026 at 2:49 pm

    References:

    Roxy palace mobile telegra.ph

  29. download COME Rummy APK says:
    July 7, 2026 at 6:17 pm

    The captain who scores 50+ in matches where the team chases successfully more than 70% of the time.

  31. masteram.us says:
    July 9, 2026 at 11:16 am

    References:

    Legiano Casino Gratis Spins masteram.us

  32. https://masteram.us/ says:
    July 9, 2026 at 11:54 am

    References:

    Legiano Casino Auszahlung https://masteram.us/

  33. metager.de says:
    July 9, 2026 at 1:11 pm

    References:

    Legiano Casino Bonus metager.de

  35. electrik.org says:
    July 9, 2026 at 5:26 pm

    References:

    Legiano Casino Mobile electrik.org

  37. https://anf.asso.fr/ says:
    July 9, 2026 at 8:04 pm

    References:

    Legiano Casino Neukundenbonus https://anf.asso.fr/

  40. invent.kde.org says:
    July 9, 2026 at 9:13 pm

    References:

    Legiano Casino Zahlungsmethoden invent.kde.org

  41. http://listserv.uga.edu says:
    July 9, 2026 at 9:41 pm

    References:

    Legiano Casino Auszahlung Dauer http://listserv.uga.edu

  46. https://mylinkbox.me/ says:
    July 10, 2026 at 8:05 am

    References:

    KingMaker Casino Anmelden https://mylinkbox.me/

  48. https://tzu.to/ says:
    July 10, 2026 at 10:24 am

    References:

    KingMaker Casino Einzahlung mit Apple Pay https://tzu.to/

  49. http://cse.google.com.cu/ says:
    July 11, 2026 at 6:56 am

    References:

    Kingmaker casino banküberweisung einzahlen http://cse.google.com.cu/

  50. maps.google.co.ck says:
    July 11, 2026 at 7:35 am

    References:

    KingMaker Casino Bonuscode Einzahlung maps.google.co.ck

  51. http://www.google.com.ly/ says:
    July 11, 2026 at 8:43 am

    References:

    Kingmaker Casino Login Deutschland http://www.google.com.ly/

  52. http://www.google.dj says:
    July 11, 2026 at 8:49 am

    References:

    KingMaker Casino Einzahlung mit Klarna http://www.google.dj

  53. https://irsau.ru says:
    July 11, 2026 at 10:21 am

    References:

    KingMaker Casino Einzahlungsbonus 100% https://irsau.ru

  54. maps.google.co.jp says:
    July 11, 2026 at 10:56 am

    References:

    KingMaker Casino Einzahlung per Kryptowährung maps.google.co.jp

  57. forums.dovetailgames.com says:
    July 11, 2026 at 4:57 pm

    References:

    KingMaker Casino Einzahlung mit Paysafecard forums.dovetailgames.com

  61. wiki.neverlands.ru says:
    July 11, 2026 at 6:42 pm

    References:

    Legiano Casino Treueprogramm wiki.neverlands.ru

  63. http://www.google.co.ug/ says:
    July 11, 2026 at 8:00 pm

    References:

    KingMaker einzahlung anleitung http://www.google.co.ug/

  72. rufox.ru says:
    July 12, 2026 at 12:26 am

    References:

    Kingmaker Casino Umsatzbedingungen rufox.ru

  73. gazmap.ru says:
    July 12, 2026 at 1:07 am

    References:

    Legiano Casino No Deposit Bonus gazmap.ru

  74. http://maps.google.com.na says:
    July 12, 2026 at 2:27 am

    References:

    Kingmaker casino neteller einzahlung http://maps.google.com.na

  77. google.com says:
    July 12, 2026 at 6:42 pm

    References:

    Monro Casino Deutschland google.com

  78. maps.google.ch says:
    July 12, 2026 at 7:20 pm

    References:

    Hit’n’spin casino erfahrungen maps.google.ch

  81. api.follow.it says:
    July 12, 2026 at 9:38 pm

    References:

    Hitnspin casino slots api.follow.it

  83. api.follow.it says:
    July 12, 2026 at 11:17 pm

    References:

    Hitnspin casino anmeldung api.follow.it

  90. http://shell.cnfol.com/ says:
    July 13, 2026 at 3:08 pm

    References:

    Hitnspin casino auszahlung erfahrungen http://shell.cnfol.com/

  92. go.115.com says:
    July 14, 2026 at 9:59 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Gutscheincode go.115.com

  95. image.google.com.af says:
    July 14, 2026 at 10:11 pm

    References:

    Lollybet Casino No Deposit image.google.com.af

  98. clients1.google.ru says:
    July 15, 2026 at 1:47 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino Bewertung clients1.google.ru

  102. cse.google.bg says:
    July 15, 2026 at 11:09 pm

    References:

    Hit n spin casino promo code cse.google.bg

  108. cm-us.wargaming.net says:
    July 16, 2026 at 10:08 am

    References:

    Hit’n’spin casino no deposit bonus cm-us.wargaming.net

  109. http://4geo.ru says:
    July 16, 2026 at 10:42 am

    References:

    Hit n spin casino bonus code http://4geo.ru

  117. findjobs.my says:
    July 17, 2026 at 1:35 pm

    References:

    Online pokies with payid australia real money findjobs.my

  124. vieclambinhduong.info says:
    July 17, 2026 at 10:56 pm

    References:

    Australia online pokies payid vieclambinhduong.info

  125. wiibidate.fun says:
    July 18, 2026 at 12:23 am

    References:

    Best instant payid pokies australia real money wiibidate.fun

  132. maps.google.gr says:
    July 19, 2026 at 12:41 am

    References:

    Lollybet Umsatzbedingungen maps.google.gr

  133. https://anf.asso.fr/ says:
    July 19, 2026 at 12:52 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino App Download https://anf.asso.fr/

  136. shop-photo.ru says:
    July 19, 2026 at 1:17 am

    References:

    Lollybet Casino App shop-photo.ru

  142. play online pokies with payid says:
    July 22, 2026 at 8:59 pm

    Click Here For The Best Real Money Payid Casino

    Explore our list of top-rated online casinos that accept Pay
    ID payments. The list of the best online casinos with PayID withdrawal
    in Australia is updated every week. We prioritize responsible gaming,
    comply with regulations, and ensure a secure environment.
    Finding PayID pokies with no deposit bonuses in Australia can be challenging, but some online casinos offer
    them as part of their promotions. Several online casinos in Australia accept PayID withdrawals, but some of the best ones include Justbit Casino and My Empire.

    When evaluating the best PayID casinos in Australia,
    we follow a strict set of criteria to ensure clients enjoy safe and reliable
    betting. Below you can find the list of the best PayID casino Australia platforms.
    In this guide, we will walk you through the best casinos and games to play, and also compare PayID platforms with other
    gambling websites. Auto-play can be convenient, but
    it makes it easy to overspend if you’re not paying attention. Licensing matters because it ensures every PayID
    casino operates transparently and meets clear safety standards.
    All casinos on our list accept PayID from Australian players and are
    verified AU-accepting operators.
    Australian players love fast-paced, feature-packed pokies, and PayID casinos give you instant
    access to thousands of titles across major providers.
    King Billy and Bitstarz both run active daily
    bonus promotions for registered players. Common offers
    include weekly deposit matches (50%–100%), Monday free spins, and weekend reload bonuses.
    Requests submitted Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm AEST, typically process faster.
    Complete playthrough before requesting cashouts, or forfeit the bonus if you’re ready to withdraw.

    As well as those that do not have access to traditional
    banking methods. If you’re chasing instant PayID pokies
    Australia real money action, you’ll find countless secure choices that handle deposits and withdrawals with precision.
    For newcomers, many casinos feature PayID pokies Australia no deposit bonus offers,
    letting you try real games without risking a cent.

    PayID is one of the safest banking methods available in Australia because
    it operates through the country’s established banking network.
    PayID doesn’t change the games you can play, but it does make getting to them much faster.
    Many PayID casinos offer cashback through VIP programs,
    weekly promotions, or ongoing loyalty rewards. Because PayID deposits
    are typically credited quickly, you can easily qualify for promotions that require
    a deposit within a certain timeframe.
    However, an increasing number of Australian-friendly platforms are adopting it as a preferred payment method.
    Whether you’re spinning online pokies, playing
    table games, or exploring live dealer experiences, PayID makes online payments smoother than ever.
    For those who value efficiency and want access to winnings without delays,
    fastpay casinos are the top-tier option in the Aussie market.
    Whether you’re playing video slots, table games, or live dealers, fast payouts mean less waiting
    and more playing. These platforms support PayID, crypto,
    and e-wallet transactions, giving Australian players full control over their funds.
    They’re perfect for players seeking a fresh gaming experience and the chance to score big with exciting promotions like
    free spins.
    You can learn more about how we evaluate platforms on our
    How We Rate page. Our ratings reflect games and safety, but
    focus on whether the site supports transactions with PayID.
    Sydney-based gambling industry analyst with 8+ years of experience reviewing online casinos for Australian players.
    You need to provide a PayID (phone number or email) linked to your bank.

    The reviews are written by real experts who play online pokies with PayID themselves and are well-versed
    in industry trends. Our total costs for this review were 6400
    AUD in test deposits, allowing us to compare casinos based on PayID’s actual performance, rather than on promises.

    Below, we break down the key practical considerations so you can make informed decisions—whether you’re a
    casual player or a high roller. Platforms such as SkyCrown, HellSpin, and Lucky Dreams have strong
    live game portfolios and often include instant-win or
    crash-style games as well, adding even more variety to the lineup.
    For players who want a more authentic casino experience,
    many of these platforms also offer extensive live dealer
    sections. In addition to pokies, most PayID-friendly casinos include a broad
    selection of digital table games. This widespread compatibility
    ensures that the vast majority of Australian players can use PayID for both depositing and withdrawing at supported casinos.

  149. cebucia.com says:
    July 24, 2026 at 2:31 am

    References:

    Video poker strategy cebucia.com

  151. live sex says:
    August 20, 2026 at 1:36 am

    Hey! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after
    checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyways, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll
    be bookmarking and checking back frequently!

  154. check my source says:
    August 24, 2026 at 9:27 am

    If some one wants to be updated with latest technologies after that he
    must be pay a visit this web site and be up to date daily.

  155. blog link says:
    August 24, 2026 at 10:19 am

    Hi there, just became alert to your blog through
    Google, and found that it’s really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels.

    I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be
    benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  156. click this says:
    August 24, 2026 at 10:23 am

    Wow, this paragraph is fastidious, my younger sister is analyzing these kinds of things, so I
    am going to tell her.

  157. helpful hints says:
    August 24, 2026 at 10:34 am

    Hi there this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to
    manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but
    have no coding knowledge so I wanted to get guidance
    from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

  160. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 4:51 am

    Sincerely very satisfied to say, 918KISS AUTO

  161. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 4:55 am

    You’re so cool! I don’t think that read something like this before. PUSSY888 เว็บตรง

  163. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 4:59 am

    This is very nice one gives indepth information. SLOTXO AUTO

  164. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:01 am

    Agen Judi bola AMB Slot

  165. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:03 am

    Jika Anda mencari smartphone premium dengan segala fitur terbaik, สล็อตเว็บตรง ฝากถอนทรูวอลเล็ท

  166. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:05 am

    I like the way you express information to us. 918KISS เว็บ มาใหม่

  167. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:07 am

    ensuring your well-being is a priority. JOKER WALLET

  169. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:10 am

    representations of their products before they are manufactured. LIVE22 AUTO WALLET

  170. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:12 am

    The Inforinn is one of the greatest blog websites 918KISS AUTO WALLET

  171. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:41 am

    right? Students either dont have time to write their SLOT WALLET ทุกค่าย

  173. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:43 am

    Sign up today start dating online. MEGA888 SLOT AUTO

  174. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:45 am

    they enjoy reading learning a lot. JILI SLOT WALLET

  175. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:49 am

    we need more details on this topic. JILI SLOT WALLET

  176. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:51 am

    instructor assigned us homework. Pussy888ทรูวอลเล็ท

  177. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 5:56 am

    calls to talk and have fun together. Slot Wallet Auto

  179. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 6:10 am

    have a blast with synced videos, สล็อตออนไลน์

  181. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 6:12 am

    Its a great pleasure reading your post. SLOT WALLET รวมทุกค่าย

  182. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 6:16 am

    from identifying market beats to projecting the next big hit, PG SLOT TRUE WALLET

  183. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 6:26 am

    which are installed using two screws, nil

  184. nagavip says:
    August 25, 2026 at 6:28 am

    Im moving forward may apply to my current job as a pet sitter, nil

  187. threesome says:
    September 4, 2026 at 3:33 am

    hi!,I love your writing very so much! proportion we communicate extra approximately your article on AOL?
    I require a specialist on this area to resolve my problem.

    May be that’s you! Looking ahead to look you.

  188. https://tiemhoachieu.com/ says:
    September 4, 2026 at 4:59 pm

    Greate article. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.
    Im really impressed by it.
    Hey there, You have done a great job. I’ll certainly
    digg it and in my view recommend to my friends.
    I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this web site.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *