2022 IB Diploma Extended Essays

even though the fire destroys Ballard’s only home which led him to wilderness. The interlacing of tragedy and beauty reveals the two-dimensional facet of the ‘Grotesque’. Similarly, McCarthy describes the woods where “the snow shone with a myriad crystal incandescence” 20 , as “weeds spir[e] up from white crystal fantasies like the stone lace in a cave's floor.” 21 The descriptions include a depiction of ethereality and enchantment, when in actuality, the events are devastating. Furthermore, McCarthy incorporates touching moments where readers are moved and potentially question identify with the character’s dark side due to the sense of empathy. This is despite the unspeakable actions that they commit. When Ballard spots the near naked woman passed out under a tree, his first words to her were “Ain’t you cold?” 22 . Despite his intense sexual depravation, Ballard’s first instincts were to worry and care about the girl. This draws the readers to Ballard, as they recognize a gesture of care, which creates a common ground that partially eliminates the idea that Ballard’s character is out of touch with reality. Likewise, during Ballard’s time at the fair, he wins and exclaims “let me have that big bear.” 23 The tone of this quote showcases his excitement at accomplishing success in something so insignificant and gives him a sense of purity and innocence. He then associates strongly with the “bears and the tiger[s]” 24 he won, “and started off through the crowd” 25 as he “smiled tightly” 26 when people gave him admiring glances. These stuffed animals symbolize Ballard’s desperate desire for human relationships, from which he is constantly rejected. This also demonstrates Ballard’s inner child who has been neglected, which sparks his excitement about something so simple – a stuffed bear which usually means nothing to

20 (McCarthy, 2008) Child of God pg. 37 21 (McCarthy, 2008) Child of God pg. 46 22 (McCarthy, 2008) Child of God pg. 11 23 (McCarthy, 2008) Child of God pg. 18 24 (McCarthy, 2008) Child of God pg. 18 25 (McCarthy, 2008) Child of God pg. 18 26 (McCarthy, 2008) Child of God pg. 18

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