1. The Road – Key Episodes L/O:
to explore the way in which the key events in the novel affect readers
Statistics…
How many times do you think the following words appeared in the novel?
after
ago
back
before
beyond
blackened
blanket 45 17
252 45 45 19
193
down
fire
man
okay
rain
sorry
time
water
244
136
193
195 44 27
100
109
How do these statistics affect the way in which you think about the novel?

2. Commenting on Key Episodes
In pairs, you are to re-read and prepare to present your key episode to the class taking into account the questions on the following slide.
Coming across the man who has been struck by lightening (50 – 53)
Shooting the ‘roadrat’ (62-69)
Little Boy (88-93)
Finding the cellar of naked and mutilated people ( )
Finding the bunker and the stash of food ( )
The baby on the spit ( )
Getting to the ocean ( )
The theft of the man and boy’s belongings ( )
The death of the man and the ending ( )

3. Ideas to consider in your pairs
Feelings and reactions – how did the episode impact readers? What did McCarthy do to evoke that response?
Given the nature of your episode, what did you expect to happen next in terms of plot progression and the reading experience (change of mood? A lighter moment? Increase or release of tension?). Are there any examples of foreshadowing?
What does the episode contribute to the development of the characters and their relationship?
In your episode, what techniques are most significant in the way McCarthy tells the story? Is the language of this episode characteristic of the rest of the novel? Are there any particular symbols or images that are foregrounded?
Do you agree that this is a key episode? What makes it standout as being important, in a novel without chapters?

4. Coming across the man who has been struck by lightening (50 – 53)
Shooting the ‘roadrat’ (62-69)
Finding the cellar of naked and mutilated people ( )
Finding the bunker and the stash of food ( )
The baby on the spit ( )
Getting to the ocean ( )
The theft of the man and boy’s belongings ( )
The death of the man and the ending ( )
Feelings and reactions – how did the episode impact readers? What did McCarthy do to evoke that response?
Given the nature of your episode, what did you expect to happen next in terms of plot progression and the reading experience (change of mood? A lighter moment? Increase or release of tension?). Are there any examples of foreshadowing?
What does the episode contribute to the development of the characters and their relationship?
In your episode, what techniques are most significant in the way McCarthy tells the story? Is the language of this episode characteristic of the rest of the novel? Are there any particular symbols or images that are foregrounded?
Do you agree that this is a key episode? What makes it standout as being important, in a novel without chapters?