The+Road+5W

Group Members:

 * Ian C
 * Brian L (facilitator)
 * Dan K
 * Kayla H
 * Deb*

Agenda:

 * Introduction**
 * Each person should introduce himself or herself. The facilitator should lead this part
 * Overview of the discussion**
 * Facilitator should describe how the discussion will unfold. The discussion will begin with describing how Cormac McCarthy writes, then will then move on to the characters and plot questions, and finally the symbolism questions.
 * Style of Writing Questions**
 * How come McCarthy ignores typical puncuation when writing? (No quotations or commas, etc.)
 * Analyze this quote and how it relates to the theme of the book: "In what direction did lost men veer?"(116)
 * Analyze this quote and how it relates to the theme of the book: "What he could bare, in the waking world he could not by night, and he sat awake, for fear the dream would return" (130)
 * Why are there no chapters in the novel?
 * Why does McCarthy address the main characters by "the man" and "the boy"?
 * Language Questions**
 * ** According to this literary criticism, the tone of the book seems depressing. Agree or disagree? http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/25/books/25masl.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print **
 * How does the authors simple language and easy to read novel affect the flow of the story?
 * Why does the son always have bad dreams and why does he not want to share them with the man
 * Character Questions**
 * Why does the son always ask for reassurance from the father?
 * How does age and experience truly impact actions?
 * In your opinion, is the son extremely brave or extremely cowardly?
 * How would the book have been different if some parts were seen in the perspective of the "bad" people
 * How are the young boy and old man the meet on the road similar?
 * Setting Questions**
 * Why does the author not clearly state the setting at the beginning of the novel?
 * How would the book have been different if the characters began in the south?
 * How does the gloomy setting affect the actions in the story?
 * Plot Questions**
 * How does the idea that they are always "carrying the fire" affect their optimism?
 * Why is the same scene portrayed in the book over and over again?
 * How does the idea that there is no hope for future generations affect the actions of the characters?
 * Symbolism Questions**
 * What does the shopping cart symbolize?
 * What is the importance of the ashes?
 * What does the road symbolize?
 * Thank-you**
 * Thank the adult for participating in the discussion
 * Distribute feedback forms


 * Secondary Materials **
 * ** http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/25/books/25masl.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print **
 * Good link to a review about how the tone of this book is depressing
 * Blood Meridian