This is my child, he said. I wash a dead man's brains out of his hair. That is my job. - This quote suggests that the novel falls into the genre of horror because of the grim subject it suggests.
This quote also suggests that something terrible is happening in this novel and that the father is trying to care for the child and to proect him for whatever is happening. It is quite clear that whatever is happening has become normal for the father and that it is not as shocking to him as it should be. The themes that this quote raises includes the theme of relationships and most importantly the relationship between a father and a son. It seems that the father is quite a cool character "This is my child", this suggests that he does love his child but he doesn not want to become to emotionally attached to him in case something happens to his son, he is trying to hide his feelings from his son in order to keep him safe. It could also be said that there is a theme of violence. "..a dead man's brain out of his hair..." this suggests something terrible is happening and it is also quite horrific and shocking to read. It could also be said that there is a theme of fear. The fact that he is washing dead man's brains out fo his sons hair however normal it now may be for the father it must also seem quite scary and shocking, the father probably would never have dreamed of doing such things in the past. The characters are quite obviously a father and a son and it is also very clear that there is a strong bond between them and that the father will do anything and everything to protect him. However, this quote suggests that the father does not want to be to emotional when he is around his son and that he tries to keep things from him to yet again protect him from the terrible things that are happening. This quote suggests that the story may be told in 1st person narrative, however it could also be written in third person with dialogue added so the reader gets a sense of the characters' feelings.
Yes I am, he said. I am the one. -This quote suggests that the novel could also fit into the genre of mystery. "I am the one" is quite a mysterious line. This quote also suggests something strange is happening and that the father has a job to protect his son from whatever is happening. "I am the one" suggests that the son only has his father to look after which makes the reader wonder what has happened to the rest of his family. This quote also suggests a theme of relationships and love, it seems that the father is very protective of his child yet the simple sentences suggest a theme of fear. The father does not want to give to much away as he does not want to scare his son. This quote also suggests a theme of loneliness. The father knows that he is the only one left that is able to protect the boy, he almost seems doubtful of his capability to be able to care for the child. It is clear that the father loves the boy dearly yet there is a hint of resentment, almost like he feels forced into looking after his son by fate. There is also a hint of doubt from this quote. The bond between the father and son is still strong however. Just like the previous quote this could suggest that the novel is written in first person narrative, however it could also be written in 3rd person with dialogue added to show the thoughts and the feelings of the characters.
Tomatoes, peaches, beans, apricots. Canned hams. Corned beef. This quote suggests that the novel could also fit into the genre of homelessness due to the fact that the list of foods is quite basic and they could all be canned foods also which is cheap to buy or easy to find. This quote could suggest that yet again something bad has happened to the father and his son and they are either living in very poor conditions or on the streets. The foods are quite basic and simple which suggest that they have very little money if none. The simple foods could also link to the simple lives that they lead, never settling down anywhere and not having much with them as in terms of belongings. From this quote the theme of homelessness is obvious. The lives that the pair lead is quite simple, what is not obvious by this quote is that whether they choose to live the simple life by choice or because of fate. It could also be said that another theme is love. Although not obvious by this quote, the fairly long list of food suggests that the father always tries to have plenty of food for the boy to eat however hard it is to get hold of it, it also shows that the father is trying to protect the son from starvation. Just like the previous quotes this quote shows the close relationship between father and son. The father will do anything to protect his son whatever it takes although the food is quite basic. The struggle for food could also reflect the struggle that the father has to keep certain things from his son for his sons protection. This quote suggests that the novel is written in the 3rd person. The pauses in the quote show the pauses in the fathers thoughts, almost like he is struggling to think. The pauses also create a feeling of simplicity. The fact that the food items are written in a simple list also shows the simplicity of the types of food and the simple lives they lead. This quote could also suggest that the majority of the novel is also written in simple, basic sentences to yet again reflect the simple lives they have.
Are we still the good guys, he said.- This quote suggests that just like the first quotation that the the novel fits into the theme of horror. "Good guys" suggests that something sinister may be going on and that something is not quite right. It also suggests that there are two groups of people the "good guys" and the "bad guys". Something might happen to the father and the son which might mean them becoming "bad guys". It also suggests that the pair do everything that they can to avoid becoming one. The novel will constantly show the struggles that they face to remain "good guys." There is an obvious theme of fear here. The son is clearly frightened that he may have turned "bad" without realising it. Also, there is a theme of anxiety for the same reason. It could also be said that this quote suggests a theme of hope. Hope that they are still "good guys" and that they have not done anything bad without realising it, making them "bad guys." This quote suggests that there are two types of different characters, the "good guys" and the "bad guys." It also suggests that the father and son belong to the "good guys." They are clearly very different to the "bad guys" but how is unclear from this quote.The strong relationship between the pair can also be seen when reading this line, the son looks to his father for reassurance and support. This quote suggests that the story may yet again be written in 1st person narrative because of the dialogue that is used, however, it is written in 3rd person with dialogue added at intervals to reveal to the audience the thoughts and feelings of the characters.
We should go, Papa, he said. Yes, the man said. But he didn't.- This quote suggests that the novel fits into the horror category because it is clear that something is not right and that the pair are not safe and that they should not stay in a place for to long. This quote suggests that something is about to happen or has happened. "But he didn't" suggests that something intriguing and possibly scary is about to happen and although they should leave they are too excited or scared to leave and that they feel obliged to stay. However the fact that they don't want to leave could also suggest that what ever has happened or is about to happen has scared them so much that they can't physically move due to fear. This quote suggests that there is a theme of fear. The boy seems scared and he wants to leave, the father also seems scared but he decides against leaving maybe due to his fear.It could also be said that there is a theme of anxiety. The boy not only seems scared but also anxious to leave the place for some reason. Relationships is another theme along with love. The boy is looking to his father for reassurance that everything is going to be okay and that they are going to leave. At first the man seems like he is reassuring his son "yes" yet he does not really offer any support or reassurance when in the end he does not decide to leave. This theme suggests that their are other characters in the novel, maybe the reason why the pair are to scared to leave. The relationship between father and son does not seem as strong when reading this quote, the father should be doing everything he can to protect his son. However, his voluntary or involuntary inability to be able to leave the place makes the reader wonder whether he really is capable or wishes to protect the boy as much as he can, the fathers seems very unemotionally attached in this quote. This quote suggests that the story is being told in a way that will keep the reader interested, why won't the father leave? What is about to happen or has happened? It also suggests that the writer wants the reader to realise just how unemotionally attached the father is and why he is like this.
The snow fell nor did it cease to fall. This novel could fit into the genre of loneliness and sadness. The constant fall of snow and the cold weather could represent the feelings of the pair, a constant feeling of loneliness and sadness. This quote suggests that if the weather does not change their lives could be in danger. It also suggests that just like the weather their lives are continuously following the same path and routine, nothing ever changes. Also, it could suggest that the weather is changing for the worse, possibly due to the changes that world is facing. One of the themes that this quote suggests is change. The world around the pair has changed and is continuing to change. Another theme is sadness, the cold weather could reflect the sombre mood of the novel. This quote could reflect the sometimes cold feeling between father and son. Although their bond is strong there are times in the novel when they upset one another. Also, as the snow continues to fall they pair continue to support and protect one another. This quote suggests that the story is told in a way in which the writer uses metaphors to describe the continuous journey and the continuous struggle that the pair face each day to survive.
Okay? Okay. This quote suggests that something is not right between the pair and that the tension is rising between them. This could result in issues and arguments between the pair. It also suggests that there is a theme of stress throughout the novel, both of them are doing everything that they can to survive which is resulting in problems between father and son. However, this quote also shows that the son continuously looks for reassurance from his father, he wishes to feel safe and protected. The father half- heartedly reassures him that everything is okay, however it is obvious that the father does not believe in what he is saying, he is just telling the son that everything is okay so as not to worry the son unnecessarily. It also suggests that the story is written in a way that shows the reader the tension between the pair. It also helps us to sympathise with the son and the father. We feel for the son because it is obvious that he is scared about what is happening and because of this he looks for reassurance from his father. We also feel for the father because it must be very hard for him to try and protect his son from what is happening and to try and reassure him when the father does not truly believe in what he is telling his son.
They sat on the edge of the tub and pulled their shoes on and them he handed the boy the pan and soap and he took the stove and the little bottle of gas and the pistol and wrapped in their blankets and they went back across the yard to the bunker. This quote suggests that the living conditions that the pair live in are simple and basic. There seems to be no heating or electricity "wrapped in their blankets." It also suggests that the father is trying his hardest to provide warmth, food and just a sense of life for the son. This quote gives the reader a clear insight into their lives and the struggles that they face day to day. The simple sentence structure could reflect the simple lives that the pair lead and the continuous thoughts that the father must have about the protection and the well being of his son. The description is also quite basic and no adjectives etc. have been used, this could also reflect the simple lives that the pair have chosen or have been forced by fate to live. The story is told in a way that makes the reader understand what the pair are facing and the simplicity of the fathers thoughts.
Tolling in the silence the minutes of the earth. This quote suggests that something terrifying is happening. It also raises questions; is the world coming to an end? What is going to happen to the father and son? There is definitely a theme of unknowing and desperation. This line is also quite mysterious, the writer does not give much away, encouraging the reader to read on. It also suggests that the story is being told in away that intrigues the reader. The fact that the world is coming to and end may reflect that the relationship between father and son is coming to an end, the minutes of their lives are slowing going by in silence, is something bad about to happen to one of them? The line is also quite confusing which could reflect that what is happening in the novel is confusing not only for the reader but also the characters.
She was gone and the coldness of it was her final gift. This quote suggests that a woman has died (the fathers' wife) and that dying was her final gift to her family. This quote creates a feeling of sadness and emotion for the reader; sympathise with her family and also with her for giving up her life for the benefit of her family. "Coldness" and "gone" reflects the lack of emotion from the writer as well as the characters in the novel. This quote also creates a depressed feeling, this quote creates a feeling of numbness. Her life is not celebrated or remembered. Her death almost seems "normal" and it could be said that taking her own life was the right thing to do for her family. It suggests that she took her own life so as not to slow her family down on their journey. The father shows no emotion in the novel and he does not comfort the boy as he wants the son to adjust to those sorts of situations and to realise that death is "normal". This shows that although the father cares dearly for the boy he does not want to become emotionally attached to his son in case something happens to either of them.
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