Other symbols and metaphors in The Road

Water, cleaning and washing - Water being used throughout the road could represent their attempts to cleanse themselves of their sins and the bad things that have happened to them to renew themselves and repent for their previous actions. They are constantly looking for water in the novel, on the surface this would be to drink, however it could be their quest to repent for their sins as the real reason they want to find the water. The goal to reach the shore also involves water, hinting throughout the novel that the theme of cleansing oneself is important to them.

The mountain -

The sea - The sea is what the boy and the man are aiming to reach throughout the whole novel. When they reach the shore, it feels calmer and a lot more serene than the rest of the novel where they are travelling, suggesting hope for the future as they are able to find a place that has no been ruined by the 'bad guys'. The sea is able to travel everywhere, as water is not confined to just one part of the world, presenting the idea of travelling to better places where there would be hope.

The colour grey - Many things described in the novel are grey, suggesting the world is very dull, bleak and colourless. There is no hope left as everything has reduced down to shades of black and white and is very minimilistic.


Ash -

Fire - Fire is a very big symbol in the road as it represents the hope which the boy carries. This could also mean passing the fire on to the next generations of the human race, as the man passes the fire onto the boy to continue the survival of humanity. Irony is also present with the theme of fire as it is also the reason for so much of the devastation in the world now, it destroyed many things and people but is seen as hope. Realistically, fire is also used for cooking which helps them survive physically along with providing them with the necessary strength to continue searching and not give up mentally.

Sight, sightlessness -

Seeds - Seeds represent the birth of something new and a new beginning, hope for the future that something better will emerge from their disaster.

Music/musical instruments -

Animal imagery -

Religious imagery - 

The Coca Cola can - The can of Coca Cola is symbolic of the fact they are in America. It is a commercial product and the one the man and the boy find could be the last one in the world, being significant of the idea that the world is being stripped down to the neccesities which are vital and the old way of life with luxurious items has come to an end. The boy and the man both find enjoyment in the Coca Cola, showing different generations can appreciate the drink but brings up the idea that the next generation from them will grow up having no recollection of it due to the apocalypse.