Fall of civilization
Throughout the novel McCarthy often describes the atmosphere as 'dust and ash everywhere' which shows the former remain of the late world which has now vanished and all civilization from society have disappeared. The fact the man and boy are the only survivors among themselves suggests that there are not many survivors left in this apocalyptic world and that they only have each other to remain on. Linking to this, McCarty then uses descriptive language when referring to nights and life as 'nights were long and dark,' which emphasizes the idea of civilization which is lost and fallen. The use of the words 'long and dark' are also used to make the reader sympathize for their situation although, it also suggests the length of the day in perusing the journey in this isolating, lonely and trapped society and atmosphere with little civilization which is remained among the ashes and dust of the former world. Linking to this and the theme of fallen civilization McCarthy then uses imagery in the lines 'The city was mostly burned. No sign of life. Cars in the street caked with ash. Everything covered in dust and ash.' this suggests he has taken the boy back to a place he remembered from the past world when everything was okay however no it is filled with darkness and depression which is emphasized on the line 'no sign of life'. This also shows the reality of life in this apocalyptic world and how little hope and guidance there is living in this world of darkness, dust and ash of the former world. We also see on their journey that the man and boy witness many dreadful sightings which suggest the fall of civilization in this apocalyptic world and society, for example when the man and boy stray off the road to the mans old house McCarthy describes a 'corpse in a doorway dried to leather' which suggests that within this new world and society the civilization and all morality has disappeared as there are dead corpses lying in the middle of doorways. this also suggests the unnatural side to this world and the horrific scenes that survivors like the man and boy witness. The fall of this civilization also suggests the current theme of death and negativity which again emphasis the entrapment and suffocation of living in this world with no escape.
The thoughts and actions of the survivors are what counts
In the relationship between the man and the boy we see the man always has a positive mind set when reassuring the boy even though they are surrounded by darkness and negativity. this negativity is suggested when the man and boy are having a discussion about the boys mother and the man says 'you wish you were dead'. This suggests that although the boy is surviving this world he feels that by dying it will allow him to escape and be wit his mother again however the man disagrees with this as he tells his son 'you mustn't say that'. this could show that the man is upset and distraught by his son wishing that the was dead however, we know the man sees the son as symbolism of god and that he gives the man hope and guidance as long as they are both alive. Further along when the man and boy are running through the woods McCarthy tells us he man 'held the boys hand as they stumbled through the woods'. this suggests that although the man doesn't show much love or affection for his child he sill cares about him and takes on responsibilities in looking after him by holding his hand. this also suggests that they only have one another to survive in this world and rely each other even if they are surrounded by negativity and fallen civilization. We also see the man is willing to sacrifice himself for his son for instance he begs his son to take the gun in order to protect himself even if the son refuses out of loyalty to is father. We also see that from the sons such young age and vulnerability he is afraid of these situations and has to be reassured by his father that what is happening and what action he commits are the right ones. this is shown in the discussion between the man and his son when the child says 'we are the good guys'. this shows the man has to reassure his son of his actions even though they are morally wrong but committed in order to survive dangerous situations. Although the boy is still of a young age he is suspicious and aware of the situations around him suggested in his questioning of other men who are represented as the 'bad guys'. his also suggests that in order to survive he has to completely rely on his father and trust to survive rather than believe what other members of the apocalyptic society tell him.
Mythologizing the past
Through the road the man often reminisces parts of his former life by recalling back memories even at the most depressing times through the novel. by all the negativity and bad occurrences which are taking place in the man and boys life; him thinking about his memories in the late world allow him to escape from the negativity and remember what his life used to be like. Linking to this in his first flashback the McCarthy tells us 'This was the perfect day of his childhood. This the day to shape days upon.' McCarthy tells us this as the man and boy are about to enter his uncles house which suggests that the man has gone back to where he used to live as a child and is mythologizing his life there and how he used to be so much happier although he could be remembering this as he took it for granted and is trying to remember fragments from his previous life. Also when the man talks about his life at first travelling on the road he describes the surroundings as 'In the first years, the roads were peopled with refugees shrouded up in their clothing.' which suggests there was a larger population and the thought of civilization and morality were still restored in contrast to the life now where everything is negative and related to darkness. It also suggests the society which they used to live in and how people acted towards each other however now if there is any other person on the road the man and boy instantly suspect its a 'ba guy' from all the negativity they have witnessed whilst living on the road. This could also link to the fact that people have always behaved in this way however society forbidden them to commit these actions, however in this apocalyptic world and unnatural society where all morality had disappeared the people of this new world find it acceptable to act in a negative and bad manner. Linking back to the mans flash backs he tells his son about his mother on their wedding day and describes her as 'his pale bride came out of a green and leafy canopy. Her nipples were pipe clayed and her ribs pale white. she wore a dress of ivory,' this shows he is remembering the past of their wedding day and how beautiful and happy his wife looked. McCarthy also addresses the man using imagery when talking about his wife and adds colours when describing the sky and leaves to portray a more positive image of his wife however the mans negativity becomes apparent when he soon describes the setting and imagery as dull, dark and grey which suggests he is mythologizing the past with his wife and that in reality he wasn't happy at that time but is realising he is more unhappy, depressed and trapped in this new world he is living alone with only his son.
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