Symbols within The Road

The Fire
In a literal meaning the fire is something that is essential for the survival of the two characters. It brings them light and warmth which links in with its symbolic meaning. As the characters, 'carry the fire' it is a symbol of their inner warmth as they manage to keep their morals and sense of justice. Moreover the fire is a representation of their life, as it is yet to burn out in contrary to the desolate world in which they live. It could also portray the way in which the apocalypse came about - the world ended in fire.

The Colour Grey (Gray)
In everyday life colour matters, colour can sway actions, change thinking and cause reactions. It attracts attention, sets moods and more importantly makes everything look more appealing. The fact that the world is so soporific and grey in its appearance makes it uninspiring much like the scarcity of the characters inspiration due to the circumstances they are in. The eradication of colour symbolizes the dissolution of life.

Coke Can
This in it's literal meaning is a luxury for both the characters as food and drink is rare which shows their deprivation in the novel. Therefore it symbolises the value of simple things and how something, that usually, would be so insignificant has become a major representation of how devastated the world has become. A fizzy drink is now the epitome of wealth for them.