Throughout the novel, McCarthy has used the word "trudged" quite often.
For example: "They trudged all day, the boy in silence" (McCarthy 76).
What do you think McCarthy is trying to emphasize or portray to the readers about the two characters using this word?
First of the word trudged according to the English dictionary means to walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh conditions. Therefore this word perfectly fits the situation because they are walking through a burned America, troubled by the post apocalypse. McCarthy is emphasizing to the readers that this is life is extremely hard on the body, mind and spirit of the man and the boy. By using the word trudged it emphasizes the body language of the boy , in the is particular quote” Then they set out along the road through the gray slush . The boy at his hands in his pockets’’ (McCarthy, 76). This quote comes right before the quote you used above to better portray the word trudged. It exemplifies the harsh situation of traveling on a long road in gray slush, damp and cold. The description of the boy’s body language shows that this is a daunting task one that he wishes he wouldn’t have to take. This would translate into a trudge like motion. According to CNN, the gesture of putting your hands in your pockets is one of being unsure. The boy is unsure at points to if this is what he really wants because of this confusion it causes him to dread the post apocalypse world translating into him walking slowly with heavy steps. In conclusion the author is showing that they are in harsh conditions and that it’s not a task they would like to do. But a task that needs to be done for survival so they trudge.
Trudged, which refers to a laborious walk due to exhaustion or harsh conditions, indeed was a favorite word of the author. Using this word to describe the motion of the two characters assists in highlighting their deteriorating physical conditions'. This perfectly ties into the descriptions that the author provides of the harsh and bleak environment, and thus creates an effective post-apocalyptic setting. On the same page, the author provides a rationale for the characters' exhaustion: "By afternoon the slush had melted off the road and by evening it was dry. They didn't stop. How many miles? Ten, twelve" (McCarthy 76). From this quote, it is very obvious that the characters' are in a arduous environment and are performing a physically difficult task. The usage of "trudge" helps in comprehending the effect that these circumstances have on the characters and indicates to dwindling physical strength. On page 98, the author uses this word again: "...the cedar trees lay about in hillhocks of snow and broken limbs and a few standing trunks that stood stripped and burntlooking...He trudged out through the drifts leaving the boy to sleep under the tree" (McCarthy 98). Once again, a clear correlation can be seen between the grueling environment and the negative impact it has on the physical abilities of the characters. Using diction words such as "trundle", is a powerful technique for presenting the post-apocalyptic setting. The author also repeatedly uses words such as "stagger", "flounder", and "trundle" to serve the same purpose as "trudge".
I completely agree with both of you, Harsimrat and Kaela. I do believe that McCarthy uses the word “trudged” to help exemplify how mentally and physically drained out the two characters are as they travel through their challenging and harsh journey. Through the constant usage of this word, McCarthy depicts the concept of how the characters are gradually growing weaker due to the lack of resources. One specific quote that assists in showing the tiresome feelings the boy once felt says, “They went on, the boy trudging in his tracks” (McCarthy 30). Through this specific quote, McCarthy is able to portray to the readers’ how limp and exhausted the young boy was feeling. The word “trudged” help contributes to the idea that the characters are essentially barely holding on to their lives and are just trying to get through day by day to the best of their ability. With this word, McCarthy is able to portray to the readers’ of how fatigue and worn-out the two unfortunate characters were throughout the whole novel. The two characters were truly going through tough times, and the word “trudged” greatly depicts the concept of it. When McCarthy uses “trudged”, it helps describe the essential mood the characters were generally feeling, which were wearisome and exhausted.
First of the word trudged according to the English dictionary means to walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh conditions. Therefore this word perfectly fits the situation because they are walking through a burned America, troubled by the post apocalypse. McCarthy is emphasizing to the readers that this is life is extremely hard on the body, mind and spirit of the man and the boy. By using the word trudged it emphasizes the body language of the boy , in the is particular quote” Then they set out along the road through the gray slush . The boy at his hands in his pockets’’ (McCarthy, 76). This quote comes right before the quote you used above to better portray the word trudged. It exemplifies the harsh situation of traveling on a long road in gray slush, damp and cold. The description of the boy’s body language shows that this is a daunting task one that he wishes he wouldn’t have to take. This would translate into a trudge like motion. According to CNN, the gesture of putting your hands in your pockets is one of being unsure. The boy is unsure at points to if this is what he really wants because of this confusion it causes him to dread the post apocalypse world translating into him walking slowly with heavy steps. In conclusion the author is showing that they are in harsh conditions and that it’s not a task they would like to do. But a task that needs to be done for survival so they trudge.
ReplyDeleteTrudged, which refers to a laborious walk due to exhaustion or harsh conditions, indeed was a favorite word of the author. Using this word to describe the motion of the two characters assists in highlighting their deteriorating physical conditions'. This perfectly ties into the descriptions that the author provides of the harsh and bleak environment, and thus creates an effective post-apocalyptic setting. On the same page, the author provides a rationale for the characters' exhaustion: "By afternoon the slush had melted off the road and by evening it was dry. They didn't stop. How many miles? Ten, twelve" (McCarthy 76). From this quote, it is very obvious that the characters' are in a arduous environment and are performing a physically difficult task. The usage of "trudge" helps in comprehending the effect that these circumstances have on the characters and indicates to dwindling physical strength. On page 98, the author uses this word again: "...the cedar trees lay about in hillhocks of snow and broken limbs and a few standing trunks that stood stripped and burntlooking...He trudged out through the drifts leaving the boy to sleep under the tree" (McCarthy 98). Once again, a clear correlation can be seen between the grueling environment and the negative impact it has on the physical abilities of the characters. Using diction words such as "trundle", is a powerful technique for presenting the post-apocalyptic setting. The author also repeatedly uses words such as "stagger", "flounder", and "trundle" to serve the same purpose as "trudge".
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with both of you, Harsimrat and Kaela. I do believe that McCarthy uses the word “trudged” to help exemplify how mentally and physically drained out the two characters are as they travel through their challenging and harsh journey. Through the constant usage of this word, McCarthy depicts the concept of how the characters are gradually growing weaker due to the lack of resources. One specific quote that assists in showing the tiresome feelings the boy once felt says, “They went on, the boy trudging in his tracks” (McCarthy 30). Through this specific quote, McCarthy is able to portray to the readers’ how limp and exhausted the young boy was feeling. The word “trudged” help contributes to the idea that the characters are essentially barely holding on to their lives and are just trying to get through day by day to the best of their ability. With this word, McCarthy is able to portray to the readers’ of how fatigue and worn-out the two unfortunate characters were throughout the whole novel. The two characters were truly going through tough times, and the word “trudged” greatly depicts the concept of it. When McCarthy uses “trudged”, it helps describe the essential mood the characters were generally feeling, which were wearisome and exhausted.
ReplyDelete