Environment - The Road - Blog Entry 3

"He woke in the night and lay listening. He couldnt remember where he was. The
thought made him smile. Where are we? he said.
What is it, Papa?
Nothing. We're okay. Go to sleep.
We're going to be okay, arent we Papa?
Yes. We are.
And nothing bad is going to happen to us.
That's right.
Because we're carrying the fire.
Yes. Because we're carrying the fire."(page 42)

"The boy was sitting on the steps when he saw something move at the rear of the house across the road. A face was looking at him. A boy, about his age, wrapped in an out-sized wool coat with the sleeves turned back. He stood up. He ran across the road and up the drive. No one there. He looked toward the house and then he ran to the bottom of the yard through the dead weeds to a still black creek. Come back, he called. I wont hurt you. He was standing there crying when his father came sprinting across the road and seized him by the arm. What are you doing? he hissed. What are you doing?
There's a little boy, Papa. There's a little boy.
There's no little boy. What are you doing?
Yes there is. I saw him.
I told you to stay put. Didnt I tell you? Now we've got to go. Come on.
I just wanted to see him, Papa. I just wanted to see him.
The man took him by the arm and they went back up through the yard. The boy
would not stop crying and he would not stop looking back. Come on, the man said.
We've got to go.
I want to see him, Papa.
There's no one to see. Do you want to die? Is that what you want?
I dont care, the boy said, sobbing. I dont care.
The man stopped. He stopped and squatted and held him. I'm sorry, he said.
Dont say that. You musnt say that." (Page 43)




I think these are some of the most significant events in the first half of the book that critiques the human condition in a possible future compared to today's world. The symbolism of the father and the son "carrying the fire" shows how the menacing tool of the world's near destruction doubles as a source of light and life. Fire not only destroys but it also provides light when there is dark, and life when there is death. The second passage comments on humanity during troubling times. Human beings need to care for one another in order to survive. The son is worried about what will become of the supposed boy he saw in the little town. Will he die? Will he live? The son shows true compassion for others despite his own needs.

I was shocked to see the son, who was born during a terrible time of crisis, put away his needs and desires to show affection and worry about the mysterious boy. Even in such times as this, people should still look after one another.