Essay Questions

What are some typical features of young adult fiction?

Young adult fiction usually involves a teenage protagonist, who is relatable to young audiences. They also deal with teenage issues such as love, growing up, family life and identity. Finally, young adult fiction chronicles the transformation of the protagonist, and is therefore about growing up.

The Road can certainly be described as a young adult novel. The protagonist Ellie is young and relatable to teenagers. The novel follows her as she faces new challenges and experiences, and ultimately becomes more mature and brave.

Why is the yellow dust significant in this novel?

The yellow dust is a key aspect of the plot and symbolism of the text. Fear of the yellow dust is what keeps the people of London within The Wall, as they are scared of coming into contact with it. As such, the yellow dust becomes a tool by which a small group of powerful men can control the majority of people. At the end of the text it is revealed that the yellow dust is a lie, fabricated by those in power to oppress people.

The color of the dust is also significant, as yellow is often associated with corruption, decay and disease. As such, the color is symbolic of the corruption and oppression that occurs in this society. The yellow dust in this novel also belongs to a long line of literary descriptions of London. For example, in his poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” modernist poet T.S Eliot describes the “yellow fog” of London. As such, the yellow dust could be an allusion to the classical literary representation of London.