Structure and the handling of time

The novel seems to take place in a "continuous present". This is due to the narrative moving forward, yet never leaving a specific place - the road. It utilises an "entropic continuity" in that there seems to be a constant increase of chaos and disorder. The disasters the Man and Boy encounter increase in severity as they first come across the Road Rat, who is seemingly on his own, then they reach the abandoned house in which there's danger from several cannibals. This symbolises society's constant descent into barbaric and "bad" ways. McCarthy uses time to indicate that although the setting never really changes, the characters have done as their experiences have been so dramatic.

There's a strong repetitive tone to McCarthy's writing, particularly in terms of time. The constant use of "morning", "afternoon" and "night" indicate a semblance of routine left in this world. Although everything they knew has been taken away from them, there's still an innate need for a sense of normality and structure to their lives.



References to the passage of days

• "He woke in the night" (p.78) - restlessness of the man
• "and slept till day" (p.128) - semblance of a routine
• "It took two days" (p.14) - travelling away from the forest

Markers in the year

• "it was snowing again" (p.17) - never-ending gloom, cold and misery
• "still autumn air" (p.19)

Passages in which narrative time is telescoped

• "Three nights later" (p.27) - after finding shelter and then leaving it for their own safety
• "The day following" (p.187) - after meeting Ely

References to "before" (and flashbacks)

• "We're survivors he told her across the flame of the lamp" (p.57) - flashback to man and his wife
• "Seated in a theatre with her beside him" (p.18) - memories of happier times
• "She was gone and the coldness of it was her final gift" (p.61) - woman killing herself

Points at which time seems to be suspended

• "He caught it in his hand and watched it expire there like the last host of Christendom" (p.15) - catching a snowflake (remnant of beauty left in the world)
• "Coming across the field toward the house were four bearded men and two women." (p.117) - glimpse of the cannibals followed by desperation to get away
• "The clocks stopped at 1:17" (p.54) - exact time of the apocalypse

Abstract references to time

• "When the time comes there will be no time" (p.120)
• "Tolling in the silence the minutes of the earth" (p.1) - death bells ringing symbolising the end of time