McCarthy offers a unique experience with the soliloquies by allowing the reader into the mind of Ed Tom Bell at the start of each part. The soliloquies reveal many layers to Ed Tom Bell’s personality and how he views the world. Bell is a lawman who has struggled with fighting the evil in his town and seems to be growing tired of the never-ending battle. He is very contemplative and appears to think very deeply about his work and the well-being of the town. McCarthy begins the novel with Bell discussing the one time he had to put a criminal to death and how he struggled with the idea of it. This first monologue shows the reader from the beginning what kind of person Bell is.
Additionally, The function of these soliloquies can vary from part to part but generally are meant to give the reader insight on the events surrounding that chapter. Bell is reflecting on past experiences and struggles with his thoughts to tackle the current issues he faces. McCarthy discusses the unsureness Bell faces with his work and how he will deal with the increase of violence in his town. Bell contemplates the criminal mind and the nature of evil. His thoughts resemble and outline the novel’s main themes.
Great American Novels 