How does McCarthy tell the story in pages 1-28 of The Road?

The Road is a dystopian novel set some time after an apocalyptic event that caused the virtual destruction of civilization. McCarthy utilises conflicting genres in a post-modern way to emphasise that everything is now "gray" and "charred". The novel begins in media res as we first encounter the man and the boy. In the next 28 pages, we follow the two main characters as they continue their journey south to, what they believe will be, safety. The main theme is the desperation to survive and this is depicted through their endless searches for food and shelter.

The story is told from the viewpoint of a third person omniscient narrator. We are observing the events of this section from an outside perspective, which gives a haunting tone to the novel as we are detached from it. However, there are moments, for example, "Nothing to see. No smoke", where the point of view shifts to the man's. Although it isn't first person, the events are described as if we're seeing them through his eyes. This type of narrative continues through the rest of the novel, which McCarthy may have done to create a stronger emotional link between the reader and the characters.

A significant way in which McCarthy tells the story is through the use of imagery, particularly gothic, in connection to the setting. It's presented as a decaying and miserable place where everything is dying. The road itself is the foundation of the novel and it's during the first section that we are introduced to it. It's described as "Barren, silent, Godless". This implies that the apocalypse has eliminated all beauty and life from the setting, leaving no cause for dreams or faith. The "charred" and "gray" surroundings are emphasised by McCarthy to reflect the lack of hope exhibited by society as a whole, they seem to have given up on trying to retain a stable existence. Nothing has been done to fix the landscape, it's just been left to rot away. This is important in telling the story as it gives us a better understanding of human psychology post-apocalypse.

McCarthy employs a bricolage of high and low culture references throughout the novel. In the first 28 pages, this is evident through the significance of Coca Cola. The man "sat looking at a Coca Cola" as if it was a treasure he'd found, calling it "a treat". The drink is a material item but relates to the idea that in America, a father and son sharing a can of coke is a prominent event. This is a high culture element as it emphasises the importance and preciousness of a relationship between a parent and child. McCarthy intertwines low and high culture by using a post-modern approach to suggest that after the apocalypse, the lines have blurred between what is considered great and what isn't.

A key way in which the story is told is through religious themes and concepts. On the first page, a reference is made to the man and the boy being "like pilgrims in a fable". It's as if they're on a religious journey to safety, some kind of faith is keeping them going through the pain and misery. Also, it's suggested that the boy is a representation of Jesus. The novels states that "If he is not the word of God God never spoke". The man sees his son as his saviour who will free him from the tortuous life he has and is the only one who can lead him to death. However, the boy is also what is keeping the man alive as he wishes to protect him due to his unconditional love. The man is conflicted in his ideas over what is the best thing to do, survive or be free to die.

The minimalistic punctuation and use of simple sentences in the story convey the seeming lack of emotion within the characters. However, the strength of the man and the boy's relationship is arguably the most important theme within the novel. The man deliberately keeps his distance so that neither he nor the boy become too emotionally attached to each other. The main aim of this behaviour is to ensure both of them have the best chance of survival, as emotion weakens a person, especially when it comes to survival of the fittest. Despite this, the boy still yearns for his father's love and protection, indicating that they do need each other.

McCarthy tells the story through mostly linear chronology, but also integrates analepsis. In this first section of the novel, we follow the boy and the man through their journey up until the earthquake. However, woven throughout is reflections on the past from the man's point of view. One of these a hint relating to the woman, the boy's mother. He remembers her beauty, through her "stockings" and "summer dress". This brief flashback lays the foundations for expansion on this character later on in the novel. McCarthy utilises analepsis to convey the idea that life hasn't always been dark and hopeless for the characters, there was a time of happiness beforehand.

In conclusion, pages 1-28 in The Road tell the story by setting the scene and introducing us to the characters. As it's the first section, we are given a first insight into what the world has become, post-apocalypse. McCarthy uses a variety of literary techniques and genres, such as gothic imagery and religious themes, to give the reader a vivid picture of this world to ensure a better understanding can be reached.