Question 5: McCarthys style of writting

McCarthy's novel is a stark contrast to Kerouac's in terms of language. While Kerouac is lyrical, loud, and colorful, McCarthy's style is dark and sparse. How does McCarthy's style lend to the story itself? Cite text for support. Who is his audience? How can you tell?


McCarthy's style lend to the story itself because his dark and descriptive tone/language sets the mood for the setting, time, and event taking place in the novel or in other words, brings the words of novel to life in a dreadful way. "The trees in thier ordered rows gnarled and black and the fallen limbs thick on the ground"(pg 90);the mans description of the enviorment appear so cold. He describes the row of of trees as "gnarled and dark" which gives the scene an old, rough feel. the fallen tree limbs on the ground, to me, helps the author to signify death in the novel. McCarthys style of writting too helps to magnify the characters in different ways. The boy is potrays as very innocient, helpless seeing that he is in the care of his father and his survival depends on him. he is also very in quizitive always aking his father questions;" Are we going to die? Sometime. Not now"(pg 10). The contsant fear and thought of dying is even reflected in the child. The man is more excpting to his reality and it showed in a slightly bitter way. I think the intended audiance would be adults and children, perticularly parents because the novel is an example of a bond between a parent and thier child and how a strong bond goes along way. When trouble lies ahead, cooperation and team work can help you go far. A parents love for thier child is more than enough motivation to help them to suceed and make sure they a fully protected.