The world we see if filled with death, fire and evil but the boy has become accustomed to it and despite it all, the father tries to make the boy's life as normal as possible, he reads to the boy and although they are strapped for resources, he leaves the light on as requested by the boy. The father also tries to make new experiences for the boy, which when the boy grows up may be seen as highlights of his life, such as the moment when his father gave him a Coke or when they both dived into the waterfall. Through some dreams, we also see that the child's mother left them, convinced that the father wouldn't leave the boy. The boy's mother was right, we learn from the man that his main purpose for living is the boy, keeping him alive and being a part of his life.
In our lives, I think it's very easy to take for granted what our parents have to offer for us: unconditional love and support. Some parents have a hard letting their own kids grow and hold them back from some experiences, which might be for the better. Otherwise, we might grow up getting it all poured on at once and become very overwhelmed. Although, I would say that ignorance is (often) bliss and it's sometimes for the better to not know how bad the world. If you try to look at these things from the eyes of a parent, you want to do the best to preserve some of that ignorance in your child.
The boy's relationship with his dad is heartwarming but it's a bad place for a child to grow up and have to experience things as though they were normal.
I agree that the boy is the reason for the man to keep living, but don't you think it's a two-way street? For example, the boy is also living because the man's alive, and that is also the reason why the man tries so hard to keep both of them alive.
ReplyDeleteIn our own current lives, parents are very protective of their children, something I can understand. But sometimes, too much ignorance will just end up being a hindrance. Like, if you keep your child ignorant of too many things, they'll just lack the common knowledge necessary to survive in the world. YES, people do kill. YES, people get raped. YES, you can get kidnapped. NO, not everyone is honest and follows up on their promises.
On another subject, given the current situation of the world in The Road, is it really a bad place for a child to grow and develop? I mean, there isn't exactly a BETTER place to raise him; the world's dying. Besides, I get the vibe that the boy is understanding beyond his years. He understands that there is death, that there are bad guys, and he also has the purest inner feelings a human can have, at least in his situation. He's sympathetic (the dog and other little boy) and openminded ("what if they're good guys?").
Do you believe the child will remain good for his entire life?
ReplyDelete