66 pages 2 hours read

Cormac McCarthy

No Country for Old Men

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005

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After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Throughout the novel, Sheriff Bell grapples with what he sees as the dissolution of morals in the United States borderlands and fears it is a sign of worse things to come. In what ways can the novel be interpreted as apocalyptic, or as a prediction of an apocalypse? Consider these points in formulating your response.

  • What evidence does Bell provide for his argument that the country is in moral decline? Is his evidence compelling?
  • How does Sheriff Bell characterize Chigurh throughout the novel? What kind of language and imagery does he use?
  • What does Chigurh represent to Bell? What is their relationship?
  • How do Chigurh and Bell oppose each other and who does Bell consider the stronger opponent?
  • In what ways is Bell an unreliable narrator? What perspectives do we miss because much of the coming crisis is filtered through Bell’s perspective?
  • How might Bell’s resignation and Chigurh’s evasion of justice signify a coming apocalypse?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may benefit from written copies of the questions for reference while discussing. Students may also benefit from previewing questions ahead of time to prepare in-depth answers and note passages of evidence in the text. Group or personal notetaking may increase information retention.

Differentiation Suggestion: Nonverbal or socially anxious students may benefit from submitted written responses in place of verbal participation in a class discission.

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