At their fireside, the man asks the old man about his time on the road, about how he has survived for so long and who else he’s met along the way. The old man offers his perspective on the state of the world, saying that he knew something like this […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Section 11 – An old man, Ely” to “Leaving Ely behind, boy doesn’t look back””Summary and Analysis Section 10 – In town, searching for a cart” to “Long term goals””
Later that day, the man cuts the boy’s hair, then his own. He shaves. There are a few nights of heavy rain, so they delay their departure from the bunker and spend the days eating and sleeping. When the rain eases up, they leave and continue their journey to the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Section 10 – In town, searching for a cart” to “Long term goals””Summary and Analysis Section 9 – A door in the ground” to “Tiny paradise, sleep””
The man lifts the door and beneath he finds stairs that descend into a bunker full of canned goods, blankets, cots to sleep on, water, soap, ammunition (but no gun), and various other supplies. The abundance astonishes both the man and the boy, and the boy wonders about the people […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Section 9 – A door in the ground” to “Tiny paradise, sleep””Summary and Analysis Section 8 – Freezing rain, long night” to “Man begins to shovel””
They pass through towns with billboards advertising products that no longer exist, the ads painted over with warnings. Out of apples and starving, they search desperately for food. The boy tells his father that they’d never eat anyone, no matter how hungry they become. He wants to make sure this […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Section 8 – Freezing rain, long night” to “Man begins to shovel””Summary and Analysis Section 7 – The apple orchard” to “Grape flavored water””
He leaves the pistol with the boy, who’s still sleeping in the woods, and goes through a gnarled apple orchard to get to the barn. Inside, the smell of cows linger. The man wonders if cows have gone extinct. In the house, he finds a packet of grape powder drink […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Section 7 – The apple orchard” to “Grape flavored water””Summary and Analysis Section 6 – The once grand house” to “Hiding in the woods””
In a small room adjoining the kitchen, something like a pantry, there is a door in the floor that’s locked with a large padlock. The man finds tools to break the latch, while the boy begs him not to open it. The boy claims that he’s’ no longer hungry anymore […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Section 6 – The once grand house” to “Hiding in the woods””Summary and Analysis Section 5 – Another little boy” to “Two men pass by””
They move southward, and the snow and cold continue to be relentless. They are almost completely out of food, and the man can feel the old world moving farther and farther out of his reach. He cannot remember certain colors or the names of birds. They come upon more burned […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Section 5 – Another little boy” to “Two men pass by””Summary and Analysis Section 4 – The boy’s birth” to “Carrying the fire””
The boy asks his father if he used to have friends. The man said he did, that he remembers them, but they’re all dead now. When they wake the next morning, they hear men coming, the bad men who carry lengths of pipe and clubs. The man topples the cart, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Section 4 – The boy’s birth” to “Carrying the fire””Summary and Analysis Section 3 – “Hot cocoa” to “Memory—the woman leaves”
The man has to drag the cart through sludge, and their continued descent takes days. Finally, they reach the river. A waterfall streams before them and the boy watches it in awe. The water is freezing, but the man and the boy go swimming in it anyway. They make camp […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Section 3 – “Hot cocoa” to “Memory—the woman leaves”Summary and Analysis Section 2 – Man and boy continue south” to “Gap in mountains””
The man has dreams about his wife, but he mistrusts these dreams, that take him back to the phantom world of what once was. He believes that his survival depends upon his dreams remaining dark and perilous, whereas pleasant dreams mean that he is succumbing to death’s beckon. The man […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Section 2 – Man and boy continue south” to “Gap in mountains””