Loss Of Innocence In Mark Smith's The Road To Winter

EXTENDED RESPONSE ASSESSMENT TASK Post-Apocalyptic Literature

Post-apocalyptic literature encourages us to consider what our society values are, through observing human relationships and the ways in which our connections to others either builds or destroys a sense of community, and how the failure of these relationships can lead to a loss of innocence. Mark Smith in his novel The Road to Winter, explores the value of relationships, particularly as a means of survival; also, he suggests that the failure of society to regulate its own progress will lead to a future where innocence is lost. Margaret Atwood in her poem "Burned House" similarly explores the loss of innocence that results from a post-apocalyptic event, suggesting that the grief

Post-apocalyptic literature teaches us the preservation of our humanity, "Before I realise what I 'm doing, I 've knelt down next to him and I 'm holding the knife at his throat." Finn holding the knife to Rampage 's throat is not second nature to him in post-apocalyptic times, as he has morality. Had Ramage been in Finn 's position, he would have surely acted in a violent or even fatal way. As a young teenager Finn lost his innocence, and he had to make a decision to end a human 's life for the better of humanity. In post apocalyptic times there is no right or wrong anymore, no laws and cultural norms no longer apply. Loss of innocence has affected Finn most deeply in the novel as he has had to grow and develop in maturity, in order to survive., "I want to scream and yell… I want to say it 's not fair. I want to say we 're only kids and we shouldn 't have to deal with this stuff, that there should be more adults like ray to help us." Finn expresses his emotions here to show how cruel post-apocalyptic times are. He tells us how as a teenager he has to do things that no 16-year-old should have to go through and that there should be adults like Ray to

The theme of grief is shown throughout the poem Morning in the Burned House , which is set in post-apocalyptic times. Margaret Atwood visits the themes grief and loss of innocence in her poem. The poem starts off "In the burned house I am eating breakfast. You understand: there is no house, there is no breakfast" Repetition is seen here using the word breakfast, as she is emphasising no one is around and there is no routine as the lady is out of place and is confused. With the first couple of lines the poet is telling us that she is a liar. A loss of physical innocence is shown here, "I can 't see my own arms and legs or know if this is a trap or blessing" She is telling us that she has become physically detached from her body and she is confused as she doesn 't understand if this moment is a "trap of a blessing." The loss of innocence clearly links up with post-apocalyptic times in The Road to Winter where Finn lost his innocence when he decided whether to kill Ramage or not and him discussing his emotions. The novel has many dangers moments in it and this is shown in the poem as well, "rises up silently like dark bread." This simile reflects the dangers of the natural world in post-apocalyptic times. Community plays a big part in Mark Smith 's novel where it brings people together. Unlike the poem contrast is seen when the poet mentions, "The day is bright and songless" The oxymoron used here tells us that the day is not what it used to be, and things have