Annotative Post: Grocery Cart

Annotative Post: The Road

October 19, 2011

Throughout the whole entirety of this book so far The Road mentions the grocery cart that the father and his son use ever so often. This grocery cart isn’t just any old grocery cart. This cart has multiple purposes throughout this novel. When looking for the official definition of the word cart, this is what was stated “a strong open vehicle with two or four wheels, typically used for carrying loads.” Normally, in this day in age we would consider a grocery cart the typical device that we use in a produce store to hold the things we would like to purchase so that we aren’t overwhelmed with carrying all the various items. It is a common item that we use only when we walk into a grocery store. We would never think we would need to own one or use one for any other reason but to go shopping and return it when we have concluded buying everything that we need. In the book the father and the son use the grocery cart for many different uses that we would never even think of to do. The first mention of the infamous grocery cart starts right in the beginning on page 5. They used this grocery cart as a vehicle. They packed their various items and belongings in this cart and roll it around. It is there possession, they can’t lose it, they are attached. Although they keep their essentials, the things they can’t stand to part with in the knapsacks. No matter where they leave the cart they go back to retrieve it. They are quite territorial of this grocery cart, it is literally as if it were their Ford F150 truck. Not only does this cart serve as a vehicle, a storage unit, and a way of transportation, but this grocery cart serves as a source of recreation. The son uses this to entertain himself by riding it down the road. He finds joy in this time of despair. The cart brings a sense of happiness and security all in one. They rely on this cart to carry their belongings so that they don’t have to haul everything during their travels. They trust that this contraption will help them on their journey and so far it has. It has been a huge necessity to the father and his son both.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/cart?region=us