The Road Reflections

            I suppose I should spew some of my thoughts about The Road, but I will warm you, they will be random and incoherent at times. Blogging has become old. Whoops, sorry, Dela. I have actually like The Road a lot though! The commitment and struggle to survive is amazing. The father’s dedication and love for his son are unparalleled in any other literary work I have read—which is not many. I could feel the pain the father feels when he lets his son down, or when he unintentionally puts him in a lethal situation. A perfect example of this is the cannibal scene. The man doesn’t listen to the intuition of the boy, thus blindly leading them into the closest brush with death in The Road. I cried when the father died at the end of the book—that’s how good it was.

            I guess talking about why The Road should be added to the AP Lit curriculum is a topic I should cover, so here goes: this novel is a perfect addition to the end of the year curriculum of the class not only because of the wrenching meaning and events throughout the year, but it can be analyzed in numerous ways: the tone, the fact there are no names, the structure, the syntax, and repetition are huge points that can be discussed in class. Maybe how the point there are no chapters is symbolic of how there is no more order in the world of The Road, how the syntax of the work contributes to the relationship of the man and the boy, or how the repetition of key phrases such as, “Its okay”, convey the constant protection the dad shows for the boy.

            There are so many aspects of this book that can be picked apart and analyzed in an AP way, as I just discussed. The theme of The Road is just the beginning. Symbolism is also another integral part of this novel. Symbols such as the road, the cart, the gun, the bleakness of the world, the “fire inside”, etc. can be interpreted in so many fashions. One meaning is how the road symbolizes their will to live and persevere past all obstacles. No matter what happens, the boy and the man also try to return to the “safety” of the road. They may veer off track, and become discouraged, but they continue to return to the road. This book is exceptional, and would be a mesmerizing addition to this class. Hell, there is even a movie to go along with it!