K. Osuagwu 7th period
Topic 2
Immaturity, what is immaturity? Immaturity is usually used to describe someone with a lack of discipline towards a subject. Immaturity in most cases has a negative connotation; however, in Cormac McCarthy’s novel The Road, McCarthy uses The Boys immaturity as a sense of innocence to shield him from the dangers of the frightening, barren world they live in. Forced to mature at an early age The Boy’s immaturity is quickly taken away at a tender state forcing him to cope with reality sooner than what society deems appropriate for his age. This unfortunate circumstance surprisingly works to The Boys favor allowing him to decisively determine right from wrong and to morph into a stronger human being as a whole. Before The Man’s death he confidently told his son, that he needs to go on without him due to his illness and that everything will be alright if he remembers what he was taught. He said this because he knew that he had instilled the proper values that were required for his son’s survival in the post cataclysmic world. Not only did The Man have confidence in his son, he also praised his son at times when his son had no confidence in himself which in turn boosted The Boy’s self-esteem. Encouraging The Boy, The man said The Boy has always had his heart and that he was always the best guy for the job. These impactful words of advice and praise enlightened The Boy to make educated, life changing decisions that would change his life for the better. After the death of his father The Boy wondered lonesome for three days until a random man found him, with hopes of rescuing him and bringing him into his family. Immediately The Boy questions the man asking him, are you one of the good guys, are you carrying the fire, and do you eat people? The questions the boy asked made it clear that he had learned well from his father and that his father trained him and equipped him with the knowledge and skills demanded for him to survive. Growing up is not an easy stage in ones life, but when one is raised and directed in the proper path in which he should go signs of immaturity vanish at a faster rate than someone who was not properly trained.
