The Road
Term Paper
In a well-argued, neatly formatted essay of between 750 and 1,000 words, fully discuss
one of the topics listed below. Your paper should follow the guidelines below:
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Your paper must be double-spaced
Your paper should be typed or neatly written in ink
Your paper must include references to the novel; you may use other sources, but
be sure to reference them properly
Your paper must include a works cited page
See the MLA formatting handout for specific details
Your paper is worth 100 marks, and will be assessed using the scoring guide on the back
of this topic sheet. You must submit an essay by the end of the term; late essays will be
deducted a maximum of 20%.
1. What does McCarthy suggest about human nature in the novel? Is man basically
good, basically evil, or capable of both? Cite specific examples that display
realistic human behaviour.
2. Cormac McCarthy was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for this book. Write a wellargued paper in which you either agree or disagree with the Pulitzer Prize
Committee’s choice.
3. The setting for the novel—a Post-Apocalyptic landscape all but devoid of life,
and seemingly without mercy—is not a cheery one. Is the novel entirely
depressing, or does it contain some hope for the future?
4. Discuss the character of the boy. Is their any suggestion that he is a savior? If so,
how? What does he represent?
5. Discuss the repeated references to “carrying the fire” contained in the novel.
What does this fire represent, and why is it so important that it not fade away?
You can also discuss No Country for Old Men in relation to this topic.
6. Discuss McCarthy’s use of symbolism and/or allusion in the novel. Try to choose
references that can be linked into a unified paper, rather than simply discussing a
list of symbols.
7. Design your own topic, but please discuss it with me. I would be glad to help you
develop an original thesis.