Communality and the Individual in Cormac McCarthy’s The Road
Streszczenie
The subject of the article is the analysis of the notion of communality in the relation between
the two protagonists of The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Traversing the post-apocalyptic
landscape populated mostly by wretched savages harbouring ill intent towards other human
beings, the heroes ostensibly seek a place where establishing a sustainable society composed
of the “good guys” can still be possible. However, while for the young son this goal implies the
necessity of maintaining a sense of openness and hospitality towards the other, for the father
it is the matter of day-to-day survival that takes precedence, which leads to repeated
instances of withdrawing help from destitute survivors and avoiding human contact. The boy
objects to this behavior, despite being wholly dependent on his father, as his sense of
responsibility seems innate and unconditional. The man, on the other hand, gradually
recognizes that he was so profoundly afflicted by the experience of losing his world that he
cannot overcome his radical pessimism and distrust of the other. Therefore, when the man
arrives at the end of his life, he comes to understand that it is only without him at his side that
the son can enter a larger community.
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