The Road

Cormac McCarthyFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Pages 1-77

Pages 77-175

Pages 175-287

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Quiz

Tools

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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?