Another theme prevalent in the novel is the bond between father and son. For the most part, in this post-apocalyptic world, the bond and relationship between father and son is the same as the root feelings between father and son in our society. The feelings of love and want to nature and protect from the father and the feelings of love and admiration from the son are shown in many ways. The first example is when they find a pop machine with a single Coca-Cola in. The father give it to the child as a gift because he knows how sweet the taste is and how much he’ll enjoy it. It’s the same as a father giving a gift to their son today. The other prime example of the father/son relationship is when the son learns to float. While traveling, they find a waterfall with a pool of water. While they’re there the father teaches the son how to float. The father encourages him telling him “you’re doing good” and he just takes this moment to enjoy life for a little. Although it seems very simple, the scene really shows a call back to the past world. Today, the idea of a father teaching their son to do something is very prominent. Teaching them to ride a bike, to play catch, or to swim are all examples of this. I believe the sole purpose of this scene is to demonstrate that even in this post-apocalyptic world, there can still be this father son relationship or event that distracts them from what’s happening.
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Great American Novels 
2 replies on “Father and son”
Having read The Road in Science Fiction Literature last semester, I think your comments on the road are pretty accurate in this post. In addition to the examples you stated, I’d also include the fact that the father shoots and kills a man who threatens his son without any question. I’m referring to the part when said man is stopping to take a leak while the father and son are hiding nearby, and notices the father and son. Another example I’d add is at multiple points, including in the cannibal house, the father gives the son his gun so that the son may kill himself when they are in especially dire situations. While both options are very grim, the father is willing to let himself by killed by their would-be oppressors in likely very brutal fashion so that the son may kill himself quickly with the gun.
You could even say that The Road is not even about the apocalypse so very present in the novel, rather the novel centers on human nature, one facet being the self sacrificing nature of love between parent and child, in this case, father and son.
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I believe the father and son bond in The Road is such a deep-rooted part of the novel, and McCarthy makes it seem as if they have a distant relationship conversation wise during the novel but have a deeper understanding of each other and truly care for each other which is not as prominently shown throughout the novel in words. I do believe when the father at the end before he dies says “carry the fire” it really ties their relationship together as a whole. Because they are both good people, and they both want to spread good things. Also with the father’s only living for the son, shows the love he has for him and worries for him when he’s gone.
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