Morality In Erik Wielenberg's The Road

Erik J. Wielenberg argues that The Road implies morality doesn’t depend upon God for existence or justification. It’s the nature of humans to desire things and for the things they do to make sense. The man validates this point because he wants to keep going and tells himself that he carries the fire. In the story fire represents life and goodness. He carries the fire, which he believes is his son. His son provides meaning for his life and exhibits goodness.

The Road takes place in a post apocalyptic world, the setting is barren, silent, godless. (McCarthy, 4) It’s easy for the man to question why he should keep on going, but he manages by telling himself that he carries the fire, his son. The man’s deceased wife once told him that he couldn’t survive for himself, he has to survive for someone else. His son is the man’s reason for living as he does everything he can to ensure his survival. He ensures his son’s well being and happiness by giving him small luxuries like hot cocoa and the last coca cola. Ely says, “Where man cannot live, gods fear no better.” Gods are only worth

He reminds the man that there are other people, even some good ones on the road. This conversation opens up the man to know he has to expand the boy’s world after he dies. The shooting of the flare gun is the father’s way of opening up that world. For someone who went through such great pains to avoid other people in case they were harmful, he takes a chance that would draw attention to them by shooting the flare gun. He tells his son not to take any chances, because he takes a chance for him. This chance is successful because after he dies the veteran finds the boy asking about his father, suggesting that they were following them for awhile (McCarthy, 282). The father’s teaching have been imparted on the boy as he asks the man a series of questions to ensure he’s a good guy and carries the