I have conflicting thoughts regarding Cormac McCarthy's novel The Road. My initial thoughts about the novel were that it was solely built around the complete devastation of two characters' lives and surrounding landscape and their constant search for survival. However, after delving deeper into it, I discovered the underlying messages about the importance of good and bad people in my life, the beauty of the little things in life, and the constant greed exhibited by desperate individuals. I believe the success of the novel comes from the messages about the meaningful value of human life and the importance of memories in our lives. I perceive the value of human life as inestimable. Your text allows me to imagine what life would be like without the comfort and security of civilization. The man's view on life is judged by his experiences and his only goal is to keep him and the boy alive. The father repeatedly promises himself and the boy that he would do anything for him. “My job is to take care of you. I was appointed to do this by God. I will kill anyone who touches you. (p. 80). The boy returns the act of concern the man has for him. The boy emphasizes that man must also eat and drink “for you”. His compassion and willingness to help others in need causes conflict between him and his father. "Can't we help him?" Dad? No, we can't help him. (p. 51) The difference between the father's practicality and the boy's compassion is prominent. The text reinforces the idea that all life is sacred and important. The value of human life is confronted with the theme of suicide. The man carries a pistol with two bullets, not to defend himself but to end his life if he is captured. The man sees suicide as an escape option, like theft...... middle of paper ...... it was the perfect day of his childhood. This day to shape the days. This shows the simplicity of this man's life and how something as simple as this memory can remain vivid and detailed in his memory. “…he knelt down and smoothed her hair while she slept and he said that if he were God he would have made the world this way and no different.” (page 27). Several years after his wife's suicide, he began to wonder what life would be like if she were here. For me, this applies, because sometimes I wonder how life would be different for me if my parents had never broken up. The man would have a hard time confronting his feelings towards his wife, just like I have a hard time facing my parents. For us, thinking about our family hurts, but we do it anyway. I think this is an important question that you put to the reader because it made me think about things in my life..