Symbolism In The Crossing By Cormac Mccarthy

In the novel, The Crossing by Cormac McCarthy, there is a great divide between that of nature and that of man. In the beginning, Billy, the protagonist, has a relationship with a wolf that he captured and by the end of the novel Billy seems to relate more to the wolf than any other human in the book. The end of the book leaves Billy alone weeping, as his entire family has been murdered in different events. Although the entire book focuses on the separation between humanity and nature, common symbols that can be related to both groups are the elements. These elements are fire, earth, air, and water. Both the wolf and Billy have connected with these symbolic forces of nature, even though the differences are clear. Humanity is the outcast living

However, they are not in reference to an animal as would make sense, but they are in reference to Billy. The passage quickly identifies a “fading light” (425) which symbolises the dwindling of life. Calling to attention the “Darkening shapes of cloud” (425) is in reference to Billy’s current state of mind. Although this wording can be alluding a Billy’s possible near death, the symbolism can also be figurative. His entire family is dead and it looks as though he has no place in the world, so his life is fading away in terms of meaning and purpose, not in terms of time. He is losing his fire and the next to go is his water, “It has ceased raining in the night and a broken rainbow or water-gall stood out” (425). A life cannot be lived without resources needed to drive the engine, so without fire and water, Billy is not only dying figuratively, but he is also stagnant. He has no next move, no plan, no reason or purpose for anything, so how could he possibly survive in this state? This can be mistaken for a characteristic of humanity, the need for a purpose, yet what nature lacks is not purpose, it is reason. Animals have purpose; to survive, to breed, to serve as food to fuel their prey, etc. and however insignificant it may seem, there is purpose there. Purpose is often confused with reason, the thing that nature lacks in the eyes of humanity. Humans need the “how” and “why” of reason because

As humans, this is state that is vulnerable to outside sympathy because it is a state that everyone hopes to never encounter. Why is this state so off-putting to humans? This answer is because humans are social creatures, which is the reason for close families, friendships, relationships, and communities. Billy’s state of isolation has thrown him a such a deep despair that he is physically and mentally unable to move forward in living his life at the end of the novel. Humans are social to survive, survival is easier when there are more people to defend, nourish, contribute, and ease work load. It is innate a human reaction to the end of this novel is one of fear, horror, and sadness because to be alone means to not survive. This idea bring up the topic of humanity’s selfishness: how can humans be social beings if they are notoriously selfish? The answer is rather cynical; humans are social only selfishly because it is known that survival is easier in groups. Humans agree to be social because it will benefit them individually to work and live together. The argument against this position is love, the claim being that love is not selfish. It is true that love is not selfish, nonetheless love is simply an extension of one’s individuality. One loves their child because their child comes from them and will carry on the gene of that individual; therefore, all that