Explain how The Boy symbolizes innocence throughout the book. Is this characteristic of The Boy good or bad and how does it counteract the characteristics of The Man?
The boy is the innocence of the world. The Boy counteracts the characteristics of the man. He makes decisions that could get them killed but his decisions are humane and make sense in the sense of morality but the man disregards the boy's opinions in order to survive as the decision the boy may make could kill them both. However, despite his opinions he always obeys his father by saying "Okay" often. The boy also shows innocence as he does not know of the ethical choices of the “old world” and the only influence of ethics is displayed through his father thus making the blank canvas of the boy’s innocence to be drawn on. The man knows best for the boy and it is shown through this quote "The one thing I can tell you is that you wont survive for yourself.”(McCarthy). The man makes sure the innocence of the boy is shielded and makes sure that he is going to be there for him.
The boy symbolizes innocence because he is very kind and pure. For example, when they found a boy early in the story, he wants to take him with them. He always wants to help others, like how he wanted to give the old man some of the supplies they had. Also, he was very upset when the man killed the bad guy holding him even though they had no choice. This characteristic is both good and bad. This is good because it is always good to be a nice person, and he is very generous. That is why he is so innocent and pure. But this characteristic is not beneficial to them surviving because the boy thinks of others before himself. He is very selfless, and they could have died because of him. He wants to give their supplies to others in need, even though they will need them alter. This contrasts with the man because the man knows that they must do whatever it takes to survive, and they can't afford to help others when they can barely help themselves. The man often gets mad at the kid for being so nice because the man knows it's a dog eat dog world and every man has to survive for himself.
yes, I agree with both of you. I believe that it's good to preserve this sense of innocence in a world of crime and selfishness but it's bad because it decreases their chance of survival. I also find it strange that he has not been hardened becuase he was born into this world. He was born struggling to survive so he shoudnt be so naive. Even if he was sheltered from his parents for most of his life, he shouldn't have developed a sense of empathy for other people and beings. However, it's evident that he is very empathetic which brings into discussion nature vs. nurture. He must have been born very caring and that's why he represents innocence and hope in the world.
The boy is the innocence of the world. The Boy counteracts the characteristics of the man. He makes decisions that could get them killed but his decisions are humane and make sense in the sense of morality but the man disregards the boy's opinions in order to survive as the decision the boy may make could kill them both. However, despite his opinions he always obeys his father by saying "Okay" often. The boy also shows innocence as he does not know of the ethical choices of the “old world” and the only influence of ethics is displayed through his father thus making the blank canvas of the boy’s innocence to be drawn on. The man knows best for the boy and it is shown through this quote "The one thing I can tell you is that you wont survive for yourself.”(McCarthy). The man makes sure the innocence of the boy is shielded and makes sure that he is going to be there for him.
ReplyDeleteThe boy symbolizes innocence because he is very kind and pure. For example, when they found a boy early in the story, he wants to take him with them. He always wants to help others, like how he wanted to give the old man some of the supplies they had. Also, he was very upset when the man killed the bad guy holding him even though they had no choice. This characteristic is both good and bad. This is good because it is always good to be a nice person, and he is very generous. That is why he is so innocent and pure. But this characteristic is not beneficial to them surviving because the boy thinks of others before himself. He is very selfless, and they could have died because of him. He wants to give their supplies to others in need, even though they will need them alter. This contrasts with the man because the man knows that they must do whatever it takes to survive, and they can't afford to help others when they can barely help themselves. The man often gets mad at the kid for being so nice because the man knows it's a dog eat dog world and every man has to survive for himself.
ReplyDeleteyes, I agree with both of you. I believe that it's good to preserve this sense of innocence in a world of crime and selfishness but it's bad because it decreases their chance of survival. I also find it strange that he has not been hardened becuase he was born into this world. He was born struggling to survive so he shoudnt be so naive. Even if he was sheltered from his parents for most of his life, he shouldn't have developed a sense of empathy for other people and beings. However, it's evident that he is very empathetic which brings into discussion nature vs. nurture. He must have been born very caring and that's why he represents innocence and hope in the world.
ReplyDelete