At this point in the novel, you may have found multiple parallels between the events in the text and Joseph Campbell's Monomyth as revealed in the summer reading text, How to Read Literature Like a Professor. 
35 Comments
Sohpie Mackintosh
1/31/2020 11:36:12 am
Throughout "The Road" we do see The Hero's Journey being presented but sometimes in an irregular order. Rather than getting a background of how the world ended and how the main character's got into the position that they are in, McCarthy began the book in the midst of the post-apocalyptic world. Throughout the story, we then see small clips of normal life, and the "ordinary world". Throughout the rest of the book, we do see how the relationship between the man and the boy grows and develops which does follow the path of The Hero's Journey. We do see conflicts during the beginning of the story that does reflect Act One: Separation, like when the man and the boy meet the road rat. They also meet a friend, Ely which shows the path in the "Road of Trials". Beyond this, we now are seeing more of the Act Two plot, in which the boy and the man experience some success in discovering new buildings and supplies that increases their chances of survival, but yet they are still confronted with the possibility of falling victims of cannibalism and death. They continue to find dead bodies and evidence of people killing others for the benefit of their own survival.
Emily St. John Mandel
2/1/2020 08:01:52 pm
I like how you mentioned the difference between the appearances of The Hero’s Journey and normal life. It shows the concept that heroes can be normal and everyone even normal people can have their own Hero’s Journey. Not having this journey would be in a sense abnormal. In addition to this, those moments of normality are somewhat of a safe haven and a reminder of what it is like to be human. Without these normal times, they would have no motivation or reason to complete this journey. This pushes them through the whole journey as makes the final destination worth it.
Jesse Ball
2/2/2020 09:34:01 pm
That is a great point that your brought. McCarthy wrote this book in an irregular order where I say we are given the main plot before we are given a back story of what happened. With the main plot given to us we are basically forced to watch this father and son relationship and focus on how strong their relationship becomes. You also make a great point by showing us exactly where we are in the hero’s journey. I mean we are almost done with this book, and we are only on Act 2 which to me is so amazing because we should at least be at the end, but I don't even think we will get there.
Maurice Carlos Ruffin
2/3/2020 05:31:28 pm
I love the attention of detail you paid to the actual plot order and how it’s not a one to one match for the exact diagram. I think that’s an important detail that might trip a lot of people up when they’re doing an analysis of the chronology of the novel. I also like your inclusion of the various acts and how they tie into each part of the novel at different times instead of act 1-etc in a particular order
Maurice Carlos Ruffin
1/31/2020 11:39:52 am
The hero's journey is exemplified through the novel's fulfillment of the basic aspects of the main components of the basic monomyth. Take the first steps. A regular world and then a call to action afterwards. The world was normal in The Road and then turned to the rapture and we then find our hero's on a journey to the coast; their call to action. They reach the first threshold when they're forced to kill the random cannibal on the path, thus fulfilling the first plot point in the novel: a minor sacrifice. Their further interactions with the slaves to the cannibal serves to intensify the story circa "Inmost Cave"
Bob Proehl
2/3/2020 10:06:22 pm
This was similar to my thoughts as well. The man and the boy had lived in an ordinary world before they had to become accustomed to the post-apocalyptic setting. Their call to action was to move locations and their first obstacle was their encounter with the cannibal.
Sam J. Miller
1/31/2020 11:41:24 am
The Man and the Boy’s journey to the coast can be explained by Campbell’s theory when the man met the man who was about to kill the Boy. The man said, “This was the first human being other than the boy that he’d spoken to in more than a year. My brother at last” ( McCarthy 75). The Man was sad about his encounter with the man because it was the first person he talked with more than a year and he was disappointed that the man tried to kill his son. The Man called the guy a brother because you're supposed to be good to the people around you because God wants that, but the guy lost faith in God which makes him want to kill others. This encounter shows that the Man and the Boy will encounter evil through there paths since the people around them lost faith in God. Another example is when the Man and the Boy encounter Ely on page 168-170. Ely was discussing with the man about God and this encounter with Ely effect the Man because Ely lost faith in God. Ely rather be dead and he thinks the world should be dead since God doesn’t exist. The Man is happy that he has the Boy because he has faith in God and when he met with Ely he realized how people lost faith in God. Another example is on page 198, when the Boy and the Man encountered the baby that was being cooked. The Boy was sad about the scene and he said to the Man that he wished they were able to have the baby with them. This changed the Boy to see how people are cruel in a different level and changed the boy mentally by letting him understand that he is fortunate that he is alive. The Boy knows that kids younger than him wouldn’t survive and he isn’t able to do anything about people killing infants to eat them.
Emily St. John Mandel
2/1/2020 07:48:25 pm
I like that you included their interaction with Ely. It is interesting that you explore the concept that they will encounter many evils on The Road. This event with Ely tested their faith and by Ely referring to the man as his brother implies that they are the same when in fact they are not. It seems like Ely is a test to see if he can tempt them to abandon their faith. They seem to pass this test as they do continue to have faith in god and challenge what Ely tells them which means they are not brothers, especially brothers in faith.
Cherrie
2/2/2020 10:55:55 pm
Another worthy mention is the semi ironic analogy. Ely is a biblical name, short for Elijah. It's ironic how someone with a biblical name is the one who has lost faith in god. Also ironic how this name was the only name mentioned in the books this far. Its obvious McCarthy was trying to hint at a deeper meaning and emphasize certain aspects.
name
1/31/2020 09:50:19 pm
Campbell's Monomyth/Hero's journey can be used as a lens on McCarthy's novel when the ordinary world brutality changes and he is there to fend for himself and his boy. On his way to survival hes faced with a death of a wife, starvation, and cannabilsm. These "roads of trials" effected the way hes saw hope and the new world itself. Although we arent fully acquainted with his journey its apparent the man will complete this quest.
Emily St. Mandel
2/1/2020 09:41:45 am
The book The Road has many elements of the Hero’s Journey evident in the plot. One of the elements that fulfills the first part of the hero’s journey, “Call to Adventure” is introducing the journey the man and the boy intend to make to the coast. Arriving at the coast is their main end goal in the story and it affects the choices they make along the journey.
Jesse Ball
2/1/2020 11:32:59 am
In The Road by Cormac McCarthy many elements of the hero's journey are seen throughout the story. One element shown in the book is the Call to adventure which is basically the whole story. They are trying to get from point a to point b which will hopefully be warmer than where they are, and of course there are obstacles that they will have to get past. Another element shown in the book are the challenges that they face. An example of this would be when the boy and the man come to a point where they have no food, and can't find any food. They can't give up, but giving up seems like the best thing to do. They soon accomplish this challenge which brings up another element of the hero's journey- reward. They are close to giving up when they find a bunker which has food, like biscuits, gravy, and ham. They are also able to become clean for the first time which they a hundred percent needed, and deserved.
Sam J. Miller
2/2/2020 01:29:20 pm
I agree that their call to adventure to go to the south is part of the hero's journey, but also the people they meet as well. During the journey to go south the Man and the Boy have met Ely which was part of their journey. Ely was a test for the Man and the Boy because Ely was testing their faith in God. Ely discussed with the Man about how God doesn't exist and was convincing the Man that their is no point to have faith in God .The Man passed the test because he didn't care what Ely has to say because he hasn't lost faith because the Boy is the proof of God's existence.
name
2/3/2020 08:01:54 am
I especially agree with the fact of reward. Instead of going to cannibalism, like the road rats, they decided to wait out starvation. This act was rewarded by the man finding a bunker and getting to be clean. This is the heroes journey in which is partly shown throughout the road.
Sophie Mackintosh
2/3/2020 10:10:26 am
I completely agree. They choose to uphold a certain standard at which they do not give in to eating other people. By them doing this, the author rewards them in a way by gradually giving them ways to survive, such as the bunker. Reward shows a huge tie to The Hero's Journey.
Kazuo Ishiguro
2/2/2020 12:36:22 pm
The whole book is basically a call to adventure because it depicts their journey and their skills of survival. However, I disagree when you say their destination (the ocean) affects the choices they make. The father with advice from the son makes the decisions and I think he is only making certain choices for the purpose of keeping his son safe. Yes, he does want to get to the ocean so the boy can experience some kind of happiness, but their choices don’t surround the fact that they must get to the ocean. I agree when you state that the conversation they had at the end of the book was one of the deepest they had because, throughout the book, the father tends to keep his thoughts to himself and struggle with his dreams alone making sure the boy does not see this and become worried.
Ling Ma
2/2/2020 10:42:10 pm
I agree with your observation and how the "call to adventure, antagonist fights back, and Catharsis" is evident in the novel. As mentioned in the statement above, the man and the boy were tested through their experience with the roadgents and had to take a stand to protect themselves and not submit to the enemy. This idea of "antagonist" fights back shows how this difficult situation the man and the boy found themselves has molded and shaped their character. As the and the boy traveled throughout their journey they had to experience different obstacles that will eventually bring them to the coast which served as a symbol of a "resting place"
Ling Ma
2/1/2020 04:21:58 pm
When it comes to a hero's journey, it focuses on a hero's path to succeed and overcome whatever challenge their faced with. In the novel, the man and the boy encountered one of the most difficult situations they could ever imagine and it's left for them to continue with their journey, or call it quits. Joseph Campbell goes into depth concerning a heroes journey and how three specific events, "a call to adventure, minor sacrifice,and reward" are apart of the rigorous path to victory.
Kazuo Ishiguro
2/2/2020 12:36:53 pm
I do agree with you when you say the boy and the father used the adventure as a way to learn more about themselves. They haven’t realized it, but their journey along the road has made them mature as an individual, especially the boy, getting their priorities straight. I also like how you made a connection of the ocean as a reward to the son. It was a reward because, throughout his life he has only seen the road, fire, cannibalism, etc. The ocean wasn’t blue as he expected like you said, but it still was a symbol of how life was before this whole apocalyptic disaster. He probably never imagined they would reach the ocean even though they hoped to do so.
Sam J. Miller
2/2/2020 01:42:14 pm
I agree that the hero's path to succeed is to overcome the challenges they face with. One of the challenges they had to face is are they going to continue to live or give up. Throughout the novel the Man and the Boy have discussed whether they will die many times. The Man tries to tell the Boy that they won't die because they carry the fire. Sometimes throughout the novel the Man isn't sure they will survive because they have been in near to death conditions. This is a challenge for the Man because he has to lie to the Boy that they will be okay and he says that to himself as comfort as well. Sometimes the Man wish he can call quits, but he doesn't because he has his son as motivation to continue.
Cherrie
2/2/2020 10:52:04 pm
I agree. The boy is the only thing that is keeping the man alive. It's the reason he keeps fighting. He could have given up a long time ago but he wants his son to see the better in life. A parent will normally put their child before themselves. Another reason why hes living for his son could be that he is living for his wife as well. The boy is all he has left of her.
Kazuo Ishiguro
2/2/2020 11:46:52 am
Throughout the road, there are elements of The Hero’s Journey just in a different order. There are multiple “road of trials” when the boy and the father encounter cannibals along the way. They have to maneuver their journey in avoidance of these people that have turned to an inhumane way of surviving. This poses a great threat to the boy and the father because, in the dark or when they are sleeping, the people can easily sneak up on them with no warning.
Jesse Ball
2/2/2020 10:06:15 pm
I like how your further describe the instances where elements of the hero’s journey are shown throughout the book. What your said about the many trials they have been through is also completely right. It seems like to me all that has happened throughout this whole book is trial after trial after trial, like McCarthy doesn't want his main characters to breathe. Yes they do find refuge, but it really doesn't compare to the trials that they have gone through, and sadly, the more that are to come. I never thought of the father’s sickness having more depth than when you brought it up .I guess it makes sense, but dang that is sad.
Ling Ma
2/2/2020 11:03:26 pm
I agree with this statement 100%, this journey has brought some drastic character changes to not only the man but the boy as well. Due to the situation the man and boy were found in they had to make "minor sacrifices". Some of the sacrifices included the man shooting one of the cannibals in order to save his son's life. Also, the boy is becoming more independent and learning to not rely on his father as much just in case something was to happen. The hero's journey is a difficult path that must be taken seriously and with the intent to succeed. The man and the boy's main focus is to survive and get to their destination.
Colson Whitehead
2/3/2020 06:20:55 am
I really appreciate the way your formatted your responses. You correctly highlighted the different stages of the hero's journey and compared it to different moments of the novel.
Sophie Mackintosh
2/3/2020 10:13:10 am
I completely agree that the order is changed throughout The Road. Instead of gathering a background of the normal world, we instead are brought into the story right as the man and the boy are traveling. We are then gradually given the selective background that the author deems necessary.
Cherrie
2/2/2020 10:48:32 pm
The Man and the Boy face many challenges while on their journey. One is the enemies they encounter, including the thieves and cannibals. Another is the harsh weather and lack of supplies, like small amounts of food and water. A temptation the Man faces is the temptation to kill him and his son, for their journey is so brutal and there is not much reward at the end of the tunnel. There are several mentors in this journey that they meet. One of the mentors is the Man to the boy, who always offers him guidance. Another one of the mentors is a man named Eli, who they meet along the road and he gives them advice on how to survive. Finally, a mentor could be a higher power. This higher power is referred to as the "fire" in the end of the story. It is what keeps the Man going throughout the novel, and he passes this on to his son. The weather and the definite dangers to come put doubt into the Man's mind that they can survive.
Colson Whitehead
2/3/2020 06:07:18 am
I like how you mentioned that the weather and lack of supplies also served as the enemies. Readers typically overlook inanimate objects serving as the enemy so I'm happy that you mentioned this. I'm not quite sure if you're mentioning the temptations as a way to indicate a transition between the two worlds, or for other purposes? I believe the man's temptations were trying to distract him from successfully completing a stage in the hero's journey such as: making a sacrifice for his son, the conflict intensifying with Ely's presence or rescuing the son from danger. Overall, I appreciate your take on the novel.
Sophie Mackintosh
2/3/2020 10:16:10 am
I like how you presented the story in a different view. By saying that the "normal" is actually the post apocalyptic world, it gives us a different perspective. It also makes sense because it shows how there are varying aspects in which McCarthy chooses to tell the story. He makes sure to include a large amount of detail in the "normal" world and then when something comes up, he is able to exclude anything else.
Bob Proehl
2/3/2020 10:10:07 pm
Some of the harsh challenges that they face I believe are through The Road of Trials. I'm interested in the fact that you included Ely as a mentor to the man and the boy because I had not initially thought of that before. I do wholeheartedly agree with the fact that their "ordinary" world is the post-apocalyptic world because it has become what they are accustomed to living through.
Rob Hart
2/2/2020 10:48:36 pm
The Monomyth, or Hero’s Journey, in the Road by Cormac McCarthy helps accentuate the loss of hope that is felt throughout the novel. Not only is the hopelessness a constant essence on the Road, but everyone feels its heavy pressure.
reply to Emily St. Mandel:
Reply to Kazuo Ishiguro:
Colson Whitehead
2/3/2020 05:51:49 am
One of the many things I admire about “The Road is its ability to narrate an appropriate example of the hero’s journey. Though McCarthy has an interesting way of exemplifying the hero’s journey, it still doesn’t refrain from the fact that many stages of the hero’s journey does occur throughout the book. Unlike many other stories that utilize the hero’s journey, “The Road” occurs only in one realm. However, the readers are exposed to the different worlds that both main characters are left to overcome. The readers become aware of the ordinary world when we’re exposed to the dreary setting which dominates this novel. We immediately comprehend that both protagonists are living in a world where they’re “like pilgrims in a fable swallowed up and lost among the inward parts of some gigantic beasts” (McCarthy 3). Many would consider their call for action to become activated when one of the bad guys attempts to eat the boy. I wholeheartedly believe their call for action was the need for both the man and boy to survive in a post apolotylic world. How did this apocalypse begin in the first place? Mccarthy doesn’t reveal the actual reason, yet readers receive a glimpse of the beginning stages of the apocalypse when a flashback occurs. In this flashback, we’re exposed to the dynamic between the man and his wife. Perhaps the wife’s suicide using an “obsidian flake” influenced the way the man perceives the world. The man begins to realize that he’s left to take care of his son by himself. The cannibal’s attempt to eat the boy serves as a transition between the ordinary world and the special world. The two protagonists witness other individuals becoming victims of cannibals throughout the journey. When a cannibal attempts to eat the boy, the man is ready to sacrifice himself in order to save his son. This first threshold into the special world reveals that the man is willing to do whatever it takes to save his son during their journey towards survival.
Bob Proehl
2/3/2020 10:03:33 pm
The theory created by Joseph Campbell of "The Hero's Journey" can be applied to "The Road: as it tells the tale of a father and his son on a journey to survive the post-apocalyptic world. The man and the boy live in an Ordinary World, where they are accustomed to scavenging for supplies where food supply is scarce. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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