The Boy That Cried God

Yeah.

Blog #5
Justin Huang
Period 1
9/18/19


Aim: How does the conclusion of The Road highlight the allusion to the boy as a Christ figure?

Allusion- An inexplicit reference to another work.

Carrying the Fire

"How do I know you're one of the good guys?

You dont. You'll have to take a shot.

Are you carrying the fire?

Am I what?

Carrying the fire.

                                                                                                         *

You're kind of weirded out, arent you?

No.

Just a little.

That's okay.

So are you?

What, carrying the fire?

Yes.

Yeah. We are."

-The Road 

page 283

What is the metaphor and symbolism of the fire?
     Throughout the novel, the father tells his son they are "carrying the fire". The imaginary flame burns within them both, and it is what fuels their unrelenting will to survive. Their extraordinary perseverance is symbolized as fire, and they mustn't let their fires die out, for darkness would be left to swallow the world whole. Despite the conditions of the world they live in, the man insists the boy must always strive for survival, however difficult that may be. This differs from the man's wife as long ago she decided she'd rather lose than suffer a godforsaken game of life. For all the father endured to prevent the world's ills from snatching his son, he must leave him alone in the dark world, with only the fire to guide him.

The Boy as a Christ Figure
     The boy directly contrasts the world he lives in, showing compassion during horrific times. He is forgiving(wanting to help the man who stole their cart), grateful, and kind. His kindness is demonstrated as he convinces his father to aid the Ely, the old man. There are also allusions to Christ as Ely says he believes the boy to be an angel; the man calls his son God. We discussed the idea of a self-fulfilling prophecy, by calling the boy God, the man convinces the boy of his own purity. He is just and kind, uncorrupted by the terrible world, and the boy may grow into a "God" because he truly  believes it is what he must become. Moreover, the name Eli itself is biblical. Even later, the boy fetches a cup of water for his father and "there was light all about him"(page 277). Finally, after his father dies, the boy stays three days before rising and taking to the road again.

Reflection
     The allusion to the boy as a Christ figure demonstrates humans must retain humanity at all times. McCarthy describes a lawless world where actions are limitless, so it is incredible such a boy exists. Humans have resorted to cannibalism, murder is rampant, yet a boy protects his virtue, even acting as this father's moral compass. The novel questions our own ethics, if war exists now, what will the world look like when there is not enough to eat? Will we be kind if no boy reminds us so? Would we  be kind even if we were reminded?

*https://strawberrytours.com/images/Blog/the-story-behind-rio-s-christ-the-redeemer-statue/Rio-Jesus-Christ-statue_shutterstock_435627841_-marchello74.jpg