The Road

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006

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Before You Read

Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Pages 1-77

Pages 77-175

Pages 175-287

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Quiz

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

What are some possible interpretations of the meaning of “the fire”? How do the protagonists preserve it?

What does being a “good guy” mean in the world of this novel? What avenues for goodness are possible here? And do you believe there really are “good” and “bad” guys in McCarthy’s post-apocalyptic setting?

What does the little boy imagined by the child protagonist represent, and how does it inform his view of humanity throughout the novel?