![]() A quick synopsis for people who have not yet read The Road (2006): A father and son (who remain unnamed throughout) travel on a road that was once an American interstate, moving toward the south and the ocean in an attempt to find a warmer place and potentially other people like them. The father remembers all too well the world that once was; the young boy, who was born at the time of the apocalyptic event, cannot imagine what that world was like. The man often ponders the ghost of the world that once was: “Query: How does the never to be differ from what never was?” I should begin by saying that I love Cormac McCarthy so passionately that this post will undoubtedly be more biased than usual. That said, until The Road came along, I never imagined that I would find myself using one of McCarthy’s texts in class. What I love the most about The Road (as far as classroom use) is its accessibility, its honesty, and its hopefulness. While many students and readers of The Road would argue that it is fatalistic or hopeless, I maintain that while it is bleak (traveling alone to an unknown destination long after the almost complete annihilation of humanity is a bit grim), it is a story full of hope. As the father says to the boy, “You have to carry the fire…It’s inside you. It always was there. I can see it.” To carry on as the man and the boy do in a world where nothing is left is both exquisitely human and excruciatingly beautiful. “Evoke the forms. Where you’ve nothing else construct ceremonies out of the air and breathe upon them.” One of the great aspects of this novel for teachers is that it functions on many levels. It is relatively easy to read and moves quickly, but its profundity enables meaningful explorations and discussions. Another aspect I love about teaching this novel is the research project I have had the students do with it. Focusing on the following question, they research and present their arguments to the class: What happened prior to the beginning of the novel, and what would drive humans to make the choices that they do in the text? This project encompasses several goals at once. The research is authentic and driven by a clear purpose, but it caters to students’ beliefs about the world and their unique interests rather than focusing narrowly on literary analysis. It also forces them to grapple with the more gruesome aspects of humanity such as cannibalism. The groups must persuade their classmates that they have the most convincing argument. McCarthy provides hints of aftermath within the novel (which they must utilize and incorporate into their presentations), but he leaves the issue ultimately undisclosed. To be fair, to the characters in the novel, it doesn’t make any difference at all what happened. No knowledge of the previous events would alter the devastating reality of their present world, and I doubt McCarthy cares much what readers believe about what happened. However, like any good open-ended question, it is worthy of pursuit, and it gives students a chance to demonstrate how creativity, thorough research, and the power of persuasion can all fit together to serve their purpose. Have you had success with other activities for The Road or similar texts? Do you have other research project ideas? Please post them in the comments section! If you’d like the materials that go with the research project for The Road, please email me and I will send them directly to you. “Listen to me, he said, when your dreams are of some world that never was or some world that never will be, and you’re happy again, then you’ll have given up. Do you understand? And you can’t give up, I won’t let you.”
44 Comments
Joanie
2/9/2014 11:01:40 am
Hi! I would love to have the materials that go along with the research project! could you send those to me? I am planning on reading The Road and doing a unit for seniors!
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Julie
6/6/2014 11:47:46 am
Hi, love this idea. Would you please send me your materials for this? Thanks!
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Sue
8/18/2014 09:01:18 pm
Thanks for the insight. I would love a copy of the research project for my students. I would like to offer them something other than the typical library analysis.
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brian
9/9/2014 03:28:50 am
Probably my all time favorite novel. Could you mail me any materials? I'd love to do this with one of my classes.
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Nichole Cancilla
9/25/2014 01:08:35 am
I'm teaching this for the first time and would love the materials. I've never been more excited to teach a novel before. This one is going to be amazing to teach!
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Jay VL
10/2/2014 10:24:49 pm
Thanks for the great post. I'd love a copy of the materials if they're available.
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Tmaxwell
11/23/2014 11:33:05 pm
I'd love to see you research assignment.
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Patty
12/5/2014 07:36:41 pm
Hello, I would really appreciate it if you could e-mail me the materials to go along with this assignment. Thank you so much for sharing!
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Kris WIngfield
2/5/2015 04:13:54 am
Could you please e-mail me the materials that go along with this assignment? It sounds great.
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memry roessler
4/7/2015 02:35:24 am
Several years ago my son and I followed the route of young John Grady Cole through Texas into Mexico and back. Armed with little more than our tattered copies of All the Pretty Horses, we spent two months on the road tracing Cole's journey and "reading in place." It changed our lives forever. Until I read your comments, I have met few who feel as passionately about The Road as we do. It may very well be the finest crafted narrative of the twenty-first century. We should exchange ideas and experiences.
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Ashley Dickson-Ellison
4/20/2015 12:26:01 am
Thanks for the thoughtful comment! That sounds like a phenomenal experience. We are getting ready to work through the Road in class (I haven't taught it the past couple of years because of schedule changes), and I'm looking forward to the rich discussions that come from McCarthy's novels.
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Jon
8/15/2015 03:02:17 am
I love the idea of your research project. I have been thinking about reading this in my year 11 English class. I would love to look at your materials if you don't mind?
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Jason Henke
9/29/2015 09:54:59 am
I would appreciate the opportunity to take a look at your materials for teaching this novel as well. Thank you!
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Joe Bastow
2/15/2016 06:27:27 am
I would also appreciate seeing how you frame the teaching of The Road and your research/presentation. Thank You!
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Elaine
4/28/2016 04:38:43 am
I am teaching a Dystopian Literature course this semester to seniors. We have read 1984, The Circle, and now The Road. This is a new course. I have been trying to figure out an interesting final exam idea, and your research project sounds very cool. I want to do something where we share in a round table format during the final exam period. If you are willing to share your project, I would be greatly appreciative.
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Carol Carota
7/27/2016 06:13:54 pm
I am preparing to teach McCarthy's novel to my English 12 class for the first time this coming school year and am intrigued by your research project. Could I impose upon you to email me any and all materials? Thanks for the post...and the creative inspiration!
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James Cutlip
8/21/2016 06:38:35 am
I would love to have a copy of your research assignment for the novel. I've come up with an assessment for the novel, but I really loved the sounds of this project. Thank you!
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Kathleen
9/27/2016 09:52:30 am
I am teaching The Road for my AP Literature students and would love to see your research assignment. Thank you so much!
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Laura Kennedy
3/22/2017 05:03:19 am
I am very interested in doing this research project with my seniors. I would greatly appreciate you sending me your materials.
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Danielle
3/22/2017 08:41:13 am
Please send me the research project. Thank you.
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Beth
4/15/2017 08:17:29 pm
I plan on reading this novel with my seniors. I would also love to check out your research project :) Thank you for sharing your ideas!!
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Jeff
4/17/2017 09:31:51 am
This sounds like a great project! I would love the materials.
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Wiebke
5/23/2017 10:48:32 am
We are thinking of doing "The Road" next year with our seniors. I would love to get the material of the project. Thanks.
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Wendy
7/27/2017 03:07:15 pm
I just read The Road this summer and want to use it this year with my alternative education students. I feel that my kids - one step away from juvenile hall - will respond very well to this novel. Would it be possible for you to send the materials that you use to me? I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
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Erin
8/1/2017 12:51:11 pm
I would love an email with any and all ideas! Thank you!
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Kayla
8/6/2017 04:24:41 pm
I know this is an older post, but if you still have all the project stuff for this, I would love to look it over! This is my first year teaching The Road and I am looking for any extra support I can get! :)
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Lynne Smith
10/6/2017 08:44:15 am
Would you please email the materials to me?
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Valerie Johnson
11/21/2017 08:14:53 am
Hello there, I'd love to see the materials you have for this novel. I've taught it once before and am looking for new ways to approach it. I LOVE McCarthy too! Thanks so much!
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Ashna Nizae
11/23/2017 07:29:19 am
Hey, i am doing a project on this novel. could you sent more materials of this................
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Mary Eisner
11/26/2017 05:06:46 pm
Hi there - I would love the materials for this project if available. Thank you.
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Karen Kremer
12/12/2017 12:12:46 pm
This sounds amazing! It's my first year teaching The Road, and I'd love the materials if you're still sharing them. Thanks so much.
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Jessica
1/1/2018 02:49:00 pm
Likewise: if the materials for the project are still available, I'd love a copy of them. It's such a cool idea. Thanks a lot!
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Bonnie Minkus-Holmes
1/11/2018 11:39:59 am
I would love to have the materials. Just started the road with my 10th grade honors class.
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Matthew Parker
2/1/2018 08:41:41 pm
This sounds fantastic. Resources would be greatly appreciated.
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Heather Hopkins
4/18/2018 10:08:48 am
I'm teaching The Road with my Juniors right now and am trying to scaffold some kind of final project once we finish. I love the idea of your research project! If you have any additional materials, that would be great!
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Christopher Griffin
5/7/2018 06:24:56 am
I teach The Road in 9th Grade. Challenging but rewarding. I would very much enjoy seeing your materials.
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MARY MACDONALD
5/9/2018 11:27:05 pm
Always interested in seeing what's new out there and this novel generates much interest both with adults and students! Please forward your research project. Thanks.
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Thomas Ladner
5/30/2018 06:34:51 am
I m creating a unit for The Road over summer break and would love to take a look at some of your materials.
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Deana Atherton
2/25/2019 05:10:37 pm
Hello. Are you still able to share your project materials? I hoping to use with my ENL students.
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Nikki Mitchell
10/27/2019 03:07:05 pm
Hi, I am a student teacher and I am creating a unit over The Road for my Senior Literature and Composition class. Are you still able to share your project materials? If so, I would be incredible grateful; this looks like it could be a great project for my students!
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Lindsay
1/24/2020 01:38:42 pm
I would like the materials for the research project if you are still sharing them. It sounds like a great evaluation. Kind thanks!
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Erin
2/4/2020 09:30:51 am
Hi! It looks like this was posted awhile ago, but I would love to skim your materials if you still have them Thanks so much!
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Laura C
9/27/2020 04:32:20 pm
I see that this post is over 7 years old. Are you still sending your materials? I would appreciate it!
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AuthorK. Ashley Dickson-Ellison is a former high school English teacher (who is now an instructional technology teacher) interested in exploring the integration of trending young adult literature into the English classroom experience. Ashley is also a member of the podcast Unabridged; check out the podcast site below. Archives
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Please note: All ideas and opinions are my own and do not represent my current or past employers.
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© K. Ashley Dickson and Teaching the Apocalypse 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to K. Ashley Dickson and Teaching the Apocalypse with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All thoughts and ideas are the author's and do not represent any employer.
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