Dealing with the World-Creative Post

“We and the world, my children, will always be at war. Retreat is impossible. Arm yourselves.”

O what the world brings to us

Whether the temptation of lust

Or the gossip and fuss.

A woman who experiences a tragic cancer

Questions the man above for all the answers

Why… Why … Why… her thoughts go a stray

The chemo and radiation all a part of her everyday

Or a man who wants to distribute love

But the seed planted by him, grown to be a weeping willow tree

As the reality sets in he lifts his head above

To wonder about his child and the father he should be

In the words of Enger “Retreat is impossible”

The world places evil on our doorsteps so we stay in survival mode

For we now live in the present and make decisions on the possible

Will there always be so much to accept in life on this obstacle course of a road?

The quote at the top of the page inspired me to write this poem. In this quote the father seems to be telling the child that in the world that we live in today you should always be ready for what life throws at you on a daily basis. I really liked this quote so I decided to try and write a poem describing the ways that I can relate or situations that I have viewed throughout my lifetime. The reason why I think that this quote is interesting is because I find myself always thinks about life compared to war. I think that life always leaves you with the thought of not knowing what to expect next or when you will be attacked just like in a war. So growing up my mom always told me to stay ready for what life has to offer you and to be strong through the things that the world surrounds you with. In the first stanza I kind of wanted to represent the college life surrounds many people daily. The second stanza I thought “pink” in representation of the breast cancer awareness month. The third part of my poem was more focus on the fathers that fall short and regret not being in their children’s life. Lastly I wanted to represent my perspective on life. I don’t like living in the past or dwelling on old situations so in this quote there is a part use to express not going backwards in life. Also, this last stanza is represented by  my viewpoint on how many people experience obstacles on their path in life.

The Road- Problematize Post

I started off really fascinated with fact that this book was based upon a survival of the fittest mentality and a loving relationship between father and son. Now I have reached a point in reading to where I feel like the characters need to finally receive that final break. I have a problem with the constant reading of devastation and loss of hope. The tone, structure, and constant ideas of death are really starting to make me feel depressed as I read this novel. I know that McCarthy’s tone and structure of this book goes along with the events of destruction and end of the world position but sometimes I feel like this horror is never ending. In the beginning I enjoyed the reading so much because I always felt that the two main characters in the book would eventually catch that break that you expect for them as the audience. However, as I continue to read this novel it is like they find food but not long from this they are back to starving and near death. Additionally, McCarthy uses fire to symbolize the hope and survival that they carry along the journey but so far this fire has continued to be put out.     McCarthy illustrates their human strength by the man and the boy trying to carry the fire on but it appears as they get weaker. Basically, my obstacle when reading this book is that the destruction that occurs in the book rubs off on me and I actually feel sad reading this novel compared to accepting the tragic event and wanting that happy ending.

Therefore I am having this big problem with them not making it to the coast or not receiving that big miracle of them finding new civilization somewhere. Why can’t they receive this final outcome of happiness? I don’t like reading sad and depressing stories. I really hope that this entire story isn’t just about this end of civilization. I am hoping for this happy ending compared to an entire read of depressing thoughts of the world ending. Can they please just catch that final break?

The Road- Reflection Post

“The Road” by Cormac McCarthy has been the most fascinating read that we have read so far. This novel really has my mind wondering due to the circumstances that these two have to deal with. The thought and sense of no time, days, or months just the darkness is crazy. I really don’t think that I would be able to handle not eating and drinking, just to walk with no sense of direction. These two characters really inspire me and take the words hope and survival to a different level.

One of the major ideas that I liked about this book so far is the fact that the dad would do anything to keep his son alive longer than him. I feel that if I had a child and I was in this situation I would do the same.  I think that any good parent would put their child before themselves in a case like this. However, I do believe that there are the parents who would have the idea that their children were either slowing them down on the journey or the idea that they wouldn’t make it so why should they suffer being dragged along. I think this goes back to the idea of survival and hope because any good parent would keep that hope alive so that their child won’t be afraid and have hope that they won’t die.  

Another thing that I liked was the way that the father and son both had different viewpoints of the devastation that was around them now. The little boy in the story was kind-hearted and innocent one that would always want to help others on the way. While the father took in the reality that they had to only take care of them and only them if they really wanted to survive the journey south.  I really understood both perspectives but honestly I don’t think that I would be able to just turn my back on someone who is truly hurt or in need. For example the man who was struck by lightning or the people in the basement that they left. I know that if there is every a time when people turn towards cannibalism or the world is full of darkness with no food I wouldn’t be able to handle a situation like that.