“No one has ever become poor by giving” (Anne Frank). In Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, a man and his son manage to give what they have, kindness and forgiveness, to those who they encounter during their travels in a post-apocalyptic world. Although many people in this world have become evil when they have nothing left, Papa and the boy maintain their morality and survive alone. Throughout the book, Papa and the boy demonstrate that, even in a difficult situation, it is possible to show compassion, empathy, and sacrifice for others. During their travels, Papa and the boy show compassion to people they come across, even though they barely have anything to give. When they come across an old man, Ely, he shows no kindness to them, but still, the
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At one point, the boy thinks he sees another little boy, about his age, but when he goes to look, there is no one there. Papa, he said.
What?
I’m afraid for that little boy. (McCarthy 86)
Although it is unclear whether this little boy is real or a hallucination, the boy relates to him, and is concerned for whether or not he has someone to take care of him. The boy shows empathy by feeling for the little boy and wanting to help him, even though he never knew him. In another instance, a man robs the boy and Papa of all their things. They catch him, and Papa demands that he not only give their things back, but all of the thief's clothes too. However, the boy is able to show empathy and understand why the man stole from them. Just help him, Papa. Just help him. The man looked back up the road.
He was just hungry, Papa. He’s going to die. (McCarthy 259)
The boy understands what it is like to have nothing, and he understood that the man only stole from them because he needed to, so the boy is able to empathize with the thief and show him mercy by making papa give his clothes back. Even in a post-apocalyptic world, the boy is able to show forgiveness and
At one point, the boy thinks he sees another little boy, about his age, but when he goes to look, there is no one there. Papa, he said.
What?
I’m afraid for that little boy. (McCarthy 86)
Although it is unclear whether this little boy is real or a hallucination, the boy relates to him, and is concerned for whether or not he has someone to take care of him. The boy shows empathy by feeling for the little boy and wanting to help him, even though he never knew him. In another instance, a man robs the boy and Papa of all their things. They catch him, and Papa demands that he not only give their things back, but all of the thief's clothes too. However, the boy is able to show empathy and understand why the man stole from them. Just help him, Papa. Just help him. The man looked back up the road.
He was just hungry, Papa. He’s going to die. (McCarthy 259)
The boy understands what it is like to have nothing, and he understood that the man only stole from them because he needed to, so the boy is able to empathize with the thief and show him mercy by making papa give his clothes back. Even in a post-apocalyptic world, the boy is able to show forgiveness and