A Theme of Corruption in No Country for Old Men by Cormac Mccarthy

Introduction

"Corruption is like a ball of snow, once it’s set a rolling it must increase" (Colton, 1820). In life, people come into contact with corruption due to their circumstances, and if an individual observes someone engaging in illegal activities, others might follow suit. Corruption is defined as a societal ailment that weakens and regresses all economic, political, and social levels. Often, when individuals fall into the trap of greed and power, they fail to comprehend the potential consequences for their families and the disappointment their actions can cause to loved ones. It is challenging for people to understand that everyone struggles with personal issues, yet it is easy for them to identify illegal acts to gain power and money. In the novel No Country For Old Men, author Cormac McCarthy rarely delves into his characters' internal selves. Instead, the reader must infer the characters' motives and emotions through their interactions, crafted to develop themes of corruption, greed, and power.

A Theme of Corruption in No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

In the novel No Country For Old Men, the minor characters highlight aspects of Llewellyn that McCarthy wants the reader to notice. The different perspectives of these characters add depth and complexity to Llewellyn, portraying him as a caring and loving person. "He counted out thousand dollars into the Formica and pushed it towards her and Altayare2 put the roll back in his pocket. Let's go, he said. What’s that for? To go to California on. What do I gotta do for it? You don’t have to do anything. Even a blind slow finds an acorn every once in a while. Put that up and let’s go." Llewellyn giving the hitchhiker a ride in his truck, providing her money, and expecting nothing in return reveals his loving and nurturing nature. Furthermore, this act suggests that Llewellyn has no ill intentions, despite knowing that the money originates from illegal activities.

Chigurh, known as a hitman, does not self-reflect on his actions or question who deserves to live due to his cold-blooded nature. "Chigurh took a twenty-five cent piece from his pocket and flipped it spinning into the bluish glare of the fluorescent lights overhead… You need to call it, Chigurh said. I can’t call it for you. It wouldn’t be fair. It wouldn’t even be right. Just call it. You’ve been putting up your whole life. You just didn’t know it." The fact that Chigurh was about to kill a man over a coin toss makes Llewellyn appear much more humane by comparison.

Since Cormac McCarthy does not isolate his characters to express their feelings, the reader must infer their emotions and motives through interactions with others. These interactions were intentionally crafted to explore the themes of corruption, greed, and power. For instance, Carson Wells's visit to Llewellyn at the hospital signals his intention to strike a deal and gain Llewellyn’s trust to acquire the remaining money. "You can’t make a deal with him. Let me say it again. Even if you gave him the money he’d still kill you. There’s no one alive on this planet that’s ever had even a cross word with him. They’re all dead. These Altayare3 are not good odds. He’s a peculiar man. You could even say that he has principles. Principles that transcend money or drugs or anything like that." This quote demonstrates Carson Wells's strategy to persuade Llewellyn to relinquish the money, as Carson serves as a bounty hunter for high-rolling American drug dealers. His efforts also aim to stop Chigurh from pursuing and killing Llewellyn. Corruption emerges as the central theme in No Country For Old Men. Llewellyn’s briefcase journey exemplifies how individuals can succumb to greed when engaging in illegal acts to gain power. Additionally, a significant connection between our society and the novel is the deterioration of morals, manifesting as increased drug use, murder, greed, and distrust of others.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this analysis underscores why the author employs character interactions to convey a comprehensible message about corruption in our society. By examining these interactions, readers gain insights into the pervasive nature of corruption and its impact on human behavior and societal values.

References

1. Colton, C. C. (1820). Lacon: Or, Many Things in Few Words. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown.
2. McCarthy, C. (2005). No Country for Old Men. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
3. Altayare2 and Altayare3 are used as placeholders in your text, potentially representing fictional or anonymized characters, and require clarification for accurate referencing.