The Road - Ending Scene

Fathers Death
In the ending scene of The Road the tragedy of the fathers death sets the unforgiving and desolate mood to the film. Throughout, themes of death are expressed thoroughly, possibly foreboding the adults demise. The emotional goodbye from the father and son elicits emotional pleasures from the audience. The view of the child as innocent increases the sympathy expressed, especially when the child cries. This scene would probably be more emotional to those who have children. The mans final moments hugging the child show unconditional love, the fact that this has now been taken away, shows lack of hope and creates uncertainty for the child moving forward.
Gun Scene
The first thing the child collects from his fathers body is the gun, possibly to signify the responsibility he can only now just face. His fathers words of protection stay with him; when faced with a potential enemy his first instinct is to hold him at gunpoint. The fact that he was reluctant to shoot however, expresses the humanity he still possesses and could be seen as an asset or a curse.
The Family

The final scene shows the boy agreeing to go with the family, promising to take care of him. The possibility of a mothers love and family causes to boy to go with them, even though they could be monsters. The panning shot of all of them, the children and dog included is foreign and wanted for the boy. They look normal and he wants to be apart of that. The fact he left his fathers body on the side of the road could be considered shocking to some audience viewers. It lacks sentimentality although this boy probably doesn't understand the concept of burying etc. It looks as though he's
abandoning his father for a better life, and in my opinion makes him look a bit ungrateful. However, because the boy now has someone to take care of him the audience can get some closure they otherwise may've not gotten. In the harsh reality of this world, the boy probably would've died or become a killer. This way we look hopeful for the future of humanity.