One event that really stuck out to me during the reading was when they entered into an old farm to look for food and saw a very graphic image. Cormac McCarthy describes this sight as, "Inside the barn three bodies hanging from the rafters, dried and dusty among the wan slats of light" (McCarthy 17). This isn't exactly the most inviting thing for a father and son to walk into, and the father quickly and intelligently advises them to leave. These hanging bodies can only be from a few things. One, the three people could have committed suicide in the past to escape the hardships of the world, or they could have been hung by people who were looking to eat them.In a world where there is literally nothing left around them, everyone has probably thought of suicide as an escape from the pain at some point in their life. However, the more likely thing that has happened to them was that they were hung by a group of cannibals. Since the food supply is very low, cannibalism is one of the few ways to actually get fresh food. The father realizes that these bodies are relatively freshly hung, and that there could be someone around looking to hang them, so they quickly leave. Overall, this scene of these two characters is very uniquely described and puts a horrifying image of cannibalism into the readers head.
Good thoughts Peter. Let's take it a step further. In this world - a world that appears tarnished in every avenue - is suicide an acceptable option? For the man, I think less so. He lives for his boy. But I wonder if for others, those who don't have someone to live for, if that's a viable, albeit disturbing scenario.
ReplyDeleteIn a world that questions existence, in a world with no hope, is giving up okay? Too often the answer is to live longer. But if there is no reason, should anyone bother?
I'm not endorsing the action, but I think the grim realities of this world have to be acknowledged. I wonder what others think.
I would say so. While not the most ideal end, in a world as empty and meaningless as the one from the text, there is very little meaning in continuing with life without reason. Wandering around debris and filth, scavenging for food only to be left with this endless, lonely routine everyday would make some want to end it all.
DeleteIf there is no chance of a better life, why bother with going through the effort of murdering someone for a food source? If one does decide to live would ending another person's life, just to prolong your own for a few more days, worth such effort? I for one, would not. I could not. Though, I am certain most people feel as though they would be able to. The idea of exisiting in such a bleak world is interesting to ponder over.
I normally would not say suicide is an acceptable option for people enduring hardships no matter what their problem is. I believe there is always another option. However, this situation is much different. In the world that the boy and father are living in, recourses are very scarce. Trying to find food is a big struggle which the two main characters have already endured. Obviously without food a human can’t survive. I do think in this particular situation suicide is an option. However, I don’t think that the main characters are going to commit suicide.
DeleteI do think that the father and boy do know that they are going to die. Weather it is suicide or not, they know that they are going to die from some cause. I think the father realizes this much more then the son. For instance, when the father gave the boy the can of coca cola, the father made it a point to have the son drink the rest of the can. He wanted him to enjoy it more then himself. The father wants his son to experience all the great parts of life since he knows that it is going to come to an end.
I feel that suicide in this world is more acceptable than in our present society. Considering the bleakness of the world it is easy to see why one might give up and lose the will to live. Those who may not be able to let go of the past may find it hard to move on. When one is constantly trying to relive memories of a better world, but actually lives in barren, post-apocalyptic world, it is understandable that they could lose faith. It is those that do not trouble themselves with the past that are able to continue living; by letting go of the past, one can better move on and find a new reason to live. This seems to be the case with The Man. He obviously has memories of a better time but he recognizes that the ideal world of his childhood has ceased to exist. Instead he lives for The Boy and he gives him a reason to survive.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that suicide should never be the first option. There seems to always be another way out of any situation or position. In this book suicide can not be an option for either of the two main characters. At this point in the story it becomes clear that they are each other's world. Even when there is nothing around them and nobody else to be seen they still have hope of survival. The father and the son, for example, would not go south if they planned on dying. They would just stay where they were and freeze to death. Instead, the two are pushing each other to survive. If I was in this situation I would do the same. Even in this barren landscape one must find the best in things, just as the boy finds happiness in the coca cola or even the crayons he uses to color his mask. If all happiness is lost and there is nothing else around, live for the person next to you. Odds are that if you die then so will they.
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ReplyDeleteIn the society the characters in the novel are exposed to, it is very hard to decide what is a better option. Suicide or a dreaded life? The question is how much do they want to survive and what are they willing to do to live. It is clear at this point in the novel that the man only lives for his son. What will happen if his son dies? Will the man be willing to kill the boy and relieve him from this nothingness life? There could be hints at it at various points in the novel, but it is still unclear. How much longer can they mentally survive?
ReplyDeleteBy the sound of it, the man seems to be at war with himself in regards to suicide, but will he go through with it? As of right now he only lives for the boy.