The Art of Manliness Cormac McCarthy, The Road, and Carrying the Fire
Dec 1, 2021
In this engaging discussion, Professor Steven Frye, an expert on Cormac McCarthy, unpacks the profound impact of McCarthy's novel The Road. He explains the author’s preference for scientific discourse over artistic circles and delves into the symbolism of 'carrying the fire' as a sign of hope. Frye also explores the father-son dynamic against a bleak backdrop, drawing connections to biblical allegories. With insights on McCarthy’s minimalist style and influences, the conversation weaves through themes of resilience, belief, and the power of love amid despair.
52:08
Frye's Introduction to McCarthy
- Steven Frye initially encountered McCarthy's work in 1992 through All the Pretty Horses.
- This led him to explore McCarthy's other novels and eventually specialize in his work.
McCarthy's Initial Lack of Popularity
- McCarthy achieved critical acclaim before popular success, selling fewer than 5,000 copies initially.
- His distinct style, although praised by critics, contributed to this.
McCarthy's Distinctive Style
- McCarthy's writing blends minimalism and ornate language, sometimes archaic, creating a sense of mystery.
- He prioritizes evoking feelings of strangeness and dread over clear, easily understood prose.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
The McCarthy Journey: From Reader to Scholar
03:15 • 15min
Exploring Cormac McCarthy's Scientific Connections and Philosophical Themes
18:12 • 2min
The Reclusive Artist: Navigating Fame and Integrity
20:17 • 2min
Exploring Isolation and Minimalism in Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road'
21:55 • 5min
Exploring Faith and Suffering in 'The Road'
26:59 • 17min
Carrying the Fire: Hope in Darkness
43:52 • 8min
Exploring Cormac McCarthy's Influence and Literary Legacy
51:51 • 3min
Understanding Cormac McCarthy
Steven Frye
Dogwood Crossing
Steven Frye
Dogwood Crossing by Steven Frye is a novel that transports readers to the late 18th century, specifically around 1799. It delves into the challenges and joys of life during that era, offering a historical perspective on everyday experiences. The book provides a glimpse into the past, highlighting the complexities of living in a bygone age.
The Sunset Limited
a novel in dramatic form
Cormac McCarthy
The Sunset Limited is a dramatic work by Cormac McCarthy that follows a chance encounter between two strangers, Black and White, on a New York subway platform. After Black saves White from a suicide attempt, they engage in a profound conversation about faith, existence, and the human condition in Black's Harlem apartment. The narrative delves into their contrasting worldviews, with Black advocating for the transformative power of faith and White questioning its relevance in a seemingly meaningless world.
The Brothers Karamazov
Larissa Volokhonsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Richard Pevear
Set in 19th-century Russia, 'The Brothers Karamazov' is a novel that delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on the three brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—and their complex relationships with their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov. The novel is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry, faith, doubt, and reason. It examines the human psyche, moral dilemmas, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with suffering and uncertainty. The story revolves around the murder of Fyodor Pavlovich and the subsequent trial of Dmitri, accused of the crime, while exploring deeper themes of Russian life, social and spiritual striving, and the clash between faith and reason[2][5][4].
No Country for Old Men
Cormac McCarthy
The novel follows the interweaving paths of three central characters: Llewelyn Moss, who stumbles upon a large sum of money at a drug deal gone wrong; Anton Chigurh, a ruthless and principled hitman hired to retrieve the money; and Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, who reflects on the changing world and the moral decay he witnesses. The story is a harrowing exploration of greed, violence, and the consequences of one's actions, set in the harsh landscape of West Texas in 1980. It delves into themes of fate vs. free will, good vs. evil, and the ties of love, blood, and duty that shape destinies.
The orchard keeper
Cormac McCarthy
The Orchard Keeper is Cormac McCarthy's debut novel, published in 1965. The story is set in rural Tennessee during the early 1930s and revolves around three main characters: Marion Sylder, a bootlegger; Uncle Ather Ownby, an old hermit living in a decaying apple orchard; and John Wesley Rattner, a young boy whose father was killed by Sylder in self-defense. The novel explores themes of cyclical violence, the encroachment of modernity, and the complex relationships between these characters, who are unaware of the connections between them. The narrative is characterized by McCarthy's vivid descriptions of the natural world and his exploration of human nature, morality, and the impact of societal changes on individual lives[1][3][5].
Blood Meridian
Or, The Evening Redness in the West
Cormac McCarthy
Blood Meridian is a historical novel that depicts the brutal reality of the American West in the mid-19th century. The story follows a 14-year-old runaway from Tennessee, known as 'the kid', who joins the Glanton gang, a historical group of scalp hunters. The gang, led by John Joel Glanton and the enigmatic Judge Holden, is contracted to kill and scalp Native Americans but soon devolves into indiscriminate violence against various groups. The novel explores themes of brutality, the loss of innocence, and the harsh realities of human nature, with Judge Holden serving as a central figure embodying philosophical and sadistic elements. The book is known for its unflinching portrayal of violence and its allegorical exploration of human existence[2][3][5].
All the Pretty Horses
Cormac McCarthy
Set in 1949, 'All the Pretty Horses' follows John Grady Cole, a 16-year-old cowboy, and his friend Lacey Rawlins as they leave their home in Texas to find work as cowboys in Mexico. Along the way, they encounter Jimmy Blevins, a troubled young runaway, whose actions lead to significant consequences. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the disappearing cowboy way of life, as Cole and Rawlins face the harsh realities of the Mexican justice system, cultural differences, and personal betrayals. McCarthy's vivid prose captures the beauty and brutality of the American West, highlighting the loss of innocence and the complexities of the adult world[2][4][5].
The Road
Tom Stechschulte
Cormac McCarthy
The Road is set in a world that has been devastated by an unspecified cataclysmic event, resulting in the extinction of nearly all life on Earth. The story follows an unnamed father and his young son as they travel south along the road, carrying their meager possessions and a pistol with only two bullets. The father, suffering from a worsening respiratory condition, is determined to protect his son from the dangers of their new world, including cannibalistic marauders. Along their journey, they encounter various survivors, some of whom are cruel and others who show kindness. The novel explores themes of love, survival, and the preservation of humanity in a world devoid of hope. Ultimately, the father's health fails, and he dies, but not before ensuring his son's safety with a new family who may offer a chance for a better future[2][3][4].
Once a year, I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It's a cathartic annual ritual for me. What is it about this novel that has such an impact on my soul and those of other readers? Who is the man who wrote it, and what was he trying to do with this story of a father and son struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic landscape?
For answers to these questions, I decided to talk to a foremost expert on McCarthy's work, as well as the literature of the American West in general. His name is Steven Frye and he's a professor of English, a novelist in his own right, and the author and editor of several books about the reclusive, philosophical author, including Understanding Cormac McCarthy. We begin our conversation with some background on McCarthy and a discussion of his distinctive style and themes, and why he avoids the limelight and prefers to hang out with scientists over fellow artists. We then dive into The Road, and Steve unpacks what inspired it, as well as the authors and books that influenced it. We then dig into the big themes of The Road, and how it can be read as a biblical allegory that wrestles with the existence of God. We delve into the tension which exists between the father and son in the book, and what it means to "carry the fire." We end our conversation with why reading The Road makes you feel both depressed and hopeful at the same time.
A spoiler alert here: If you haven't read The Road yet, we do reveal some of the plot points in this discussion. Also, why haven't you read The Road yet?
Resources Related to the Podcast
- Other books by Steven Frye, including his novel Dogwood Crossing
- McCarthy's books mentioned in the show:
- The film adaptation of The Road
- The Santa Fe Institute
- Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- "Cat in the Rain" — short story by Ernest Hemingway
- "Indian Camp" — short story by Ernest Hemingway
- AoM Podcast #635: The Existentialist's Survival Guide
- AoM Article: Carry the Fire
- AoM Article: Books So Good I've Read Them 2X (Or More!)