Coca-Cola

In class on Tuesday we discussed different objects mentioned within the novel and what they symbolized.  I thought it was interesting that such an insignificant, small, everyday item like a Coca-cola can could be of so much value.  As I reflected on the thoughts gathered in class, I expanded on and came across more reasons for the symbolism of the cola-cola.

            Okay, so here’s the scene, within the first section of the reading, the father pries a coca-cola free from a drink machine.  (This could possibly be the LAST can of coke in the world!) They sat looking at the can and the boy hadn’t a clue of what it was. The father told his son “It’s a treat. For you”.  As the young boy took the can and began drinking it, he thought it was unlike anything he had ever tasted. Could you imagine never having a coke before today? Imagine how sweet that would be?  The son then offers the coca-cola back to his father to enjoy also, but he tells his son “I want you to drink it.” This is evidence of the father’s self-sacrificing love for his son. This symbolizes God’s love for us as he gave everything for us!

When analyzing the coca-cola can within the text it was noted that the can could be a treasure. It is a token of value in their world and could quiet possibly be used as currency if necessary.  To expand on that idea, one can note that the can of Coke could also be like an artifact from a former civilization. This is evident when McCarthy writes,  “On the outskirts of the city they came to a supermarket… He sat and ran his hand around the works of the gutted machines and in the second one it closed over a cold metal cylinder. He withdrew it slowly and sat looking at a Coca-Cola.”(p.23) This section of writing in the novel heightens the importance of the coca-cola to the characters.

Furthermore, McCarthy may have used the coca-cola item to represent the deprivation of his characters. The father and son have gone years with nothing. McCarthy writes many times throughout the novel “There was nothing”. What a depressing state to live in.