No Country for Old Men

Throughout the novel, Sheriff Bell grapples with what he sees as the dissolution of morals in the United States borderlands and fears it is a sign of worse things to come. In what ways can the novel be interpreted as apocalyptic, or as a prediction of an apocalypse? Consider these points in formulating your response.

• What evidence does Bell provide for his argument that the country is in moral decline? Is his evidence compelling?
• How does Sheriff Bell characterize Chigurh throughout the novel? What kind of language and imagery does he use?
• What does Chigurh represent to Bell? What is their relationship?
• How do Chigurh and Bell oppose each other and who does Bell consider the stronger opponent?
• In what ways is Bell an unreliable narrator? What perspectives do we miss because much of the coming crisis is filtered through Bell’s perspective?
• How might Bell’s resignation and Chigurh’s evasion of justice signify a coming apocalypse?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may benefit from written copies of the questions for reference while discussing. Students may also benefit from previewing questions ahead of time to prepare in-depth answers and note passages of evidence in the text. Group or personal notetaking may increase information retention.

Differentiation Suggestion: Nonverbal or socially anxious students may benefit from submitted written responses in place of verbal participation in a class discission.