The Coast

From the early pages of the book all the way up to the end, the boy and his father have been trekking cross country to the coast, the ocean. The Ocean is their destination because for one, it gives them something in the future to look forward to, a goal, or a mission in life instead of wandering aimlessly. Having a purpose in life makes it much easier and a much more pleasant experience. Symbolically the Ocean is a symbol for hope, and the future. It is what keeps the boy and the man going on to the next day, it is something they can look forward to, and represents a positive change in their lives. The boy needs the hope a potentially better life in the future, and the coast is what he believes will allow him to have one.