Vision Of The Son In Cormac Mccarthy's The Road

In Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, the father's vision of his son serves as a driving force in the story, contributing to his purpose and ultimately proving the boy to be humanity's best hope in a post-apocalyptic world. The father views his son in different ways throughout the novel, perceiving him as a child, a humanistic being, and a spiritual/mythic being. Through these different perceptions, the father finds meaning in his life and is able to find purpose in a world that has lost its way. This essay will explore the father's vision of his son, how it contributes to his purpose, and how the son functions as humanity's best hope.

The father's vision of his son as a child is evident throughout the novel, as he constantly seeks to protect him

For example, when the father and son come across a group of people who have resorted to cannibalism, the father tells the boy, “We’re the good guys. We’re carrying the fire” (McCarthy 124). This moment reflects the father's desire to teach his son the importance of compassion and kindness, even in the face of extreme adversity. The father's vision of his son as a humanistic being contributes to his purpose by giving him a sense of meaning and purpose. The father sees his son as a symbol of hope in a world that has lost its way, and he knows that by teaching his son to be kind and compassionate, he is helping to preserve the best of

For example, when the father is dying, he tells the boy, “You have my whole heart. You always did…you’re the best thing in my life” (McCarthy ). the of's significance and in preserving humanity's essence. The father's vision of his son as a spiritual/mythic being contributes to his purpose by giving him a sense of hope. The father sees his son as a symbol of what is possible in a world that has lost its way, and he knows that by preserving his son's spirit, he is helping to preserve the best of