No Country for Old Men

This genre “detective noir” is one of my favourites.  Hope you like it too.

 

1.  The title signifies the core philosophy in the book, that there is a principled world by which values very few of the novels characters abide.  Is this a glorified past perhaps?  The myth of frontier justice?  And was there every any such thing?

 

2.  If we consider Bell, a moral touchstone, by his reflections, perspicacity and revulsion and the violence he encounters, to what degree do you see he’s limited in his capacity to deal with Chigurh?  If he is no match for him, does this weaken the conflict?

 

3.  The women are sympathetic types, supportive of their men, quiet, understanding and loving.  Do you think they are realistic?

 

4.  What is the purpose served by Chigurh’s constant quibbling about things?  What is his moral code?

 

5.  Is this story about fate?  Is Llewelyn an Everyman?  Is Chigurh the devil?

 

6.  Who is speaking in the last pages?  What purpose do they serve?

 

7.  Why does McCarthy choose to not show the action sequences of the murders towards the end of the book?

 

8. “She kept on, kept on.  Finally told me, said:  I don’t like the way this country is headed.  I want my granddaughter to be able to have an abortion.  And I said well mam I don’t thing you got any worries about the way the country is headed.  The way I see it goin I don’t have much doubt but what she’ll be able to have an abortion.  I’m goin to say that not only will she be able to have an abortion, she’ll be able to have you put to sleep.  Which pretty much ended the conversation.”  That’s my favourite good line in the book.  What’s yours?

 

9.  This author reminds me of John Steinbeck, in his use of nature as a foil to character, of the sense of predetermination, fate and a set of circumstances set in motion by one small error.  What parallels to you see with any other writer?