Review of Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy

**Review of Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy**

Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West (1985) by Cormac McCarthy is a brutal and haunting novel that explores themes of violence, morality, and human nature against the backdrop of the American West in the mid-19th century. Based on historical events, the novel follows The Kid, a nameless, orphaned teenager who becomes involved with a violent group of Indian-hunters led by Glanton, a ruthless and morally ambiguous figure. The group’s journey through the brutal, lawless frontier is marked by relentless violence and encounters with the enigmatic figure of Judge Holden, a philosophical and terrifying character who embodies the novel’s exploration of evil, war, and the nature of man. McCarthy’s writing is sparse, poetic, and unflinching, offering a searing critique of the American mythos of manifest destiny and the supposed nobility of the frontier. Blood Meridian is widely regarded as one of the most significant works of contemporary American literature, praised for its philosophical depth, unflinching portrayal of violence, and its complex, symbolic exploration of the human condition.

Themes in Blood Meridian

Violence and the Human Condition:
At the heart of Blood Meridian is a relentless examination of violence and its pervasive role in the human experience. The novel is filled with graphic depictions of bloodshed, murder, and brutality, often presented without judgment or explanation. The violence in the novel is not just a plot device but is woven into the fabric of the world McCarthy creates. The figure of Judge Holden, in particular, philosophizes about the inevitability of violence, presenting it as a natural, almost divine force that shapes history and human existence. Through this lens, McCarthy suggests that violence is intrinsic to the human condition, not a deviation from it. The novel raises profound questions about whether violence is a part of the human psyche or whether it is something that external forces—such as culture, war, or the land—bring to the forefront.
The Nature of Evil:
The character of Judge Holden is a central figure in the novel’s exploration of evil. The Judge is a complex figure who seems to embody all the worst qualities of humanity: he is manipulative, philosophical, ruthless, and capable of profound cruelty. He not only participates in the violence but rationalizes and elevates it to a cosmic level, seeing it as an essential force in the world. The novel presents a view of evil that is not simply moral corruption but something more deeply embedded in human nature and existence. Judge Holden’s role as a philosopher who seeks to justify and glorify violence suggests that evil is not an aberration but a fundamental part of the world. This exploration of evil challenges the conventional understanding of good and evil and forces readers to grapple with the darkness within humanity.
Manifest Destiny and the American Frontier:
Blood Meridian is deeply concerned with the idea of manifest destiny and the myth of the American frontier. The novel takes place during the expansion of the United States into the West, a period when settlers, militias, and Indian-hunters were involved in violent conflict over land. The characters in the novel, particularly Glanton’s group, represent a violent, greedy, and morally ambiguous manifestation of this expansionist drive. McCarthy critiques the idea of the frontier as a place of freedom and opportunity, exposing the dark underbelly of American history. The novel suggests that the so-called settling of the West was not about creating a better society but about domination, exploitation, and the perpetuation of violence.
Fate and Free Will:
The theme of fate versus free will runs throughout Blood Meridian. The Kid’s journey is marked by a sense of inevitability—he is drawn into the violence of the world, and much of his life seems to be dictated by forces beyond his control. Despite his moments of reflection and the occasional desire to escape the brutality around him, he remains largely passive in the face of the unfolding violence. The Judge, on the other hand, represents a deterministic view of the world, one in which events are governed by forces beyond individual control, especially violence and power. The novel questions whether the characters have agency over their lives or if they are merely pawns in a larger, more indifferent force. Ultimately, Blood Meridian portrays a world in which human actions seem to be guided by fate and violence, and the possibility of true freedom or escape is illusory.
The Absurdity of Existence:
In addition to its exploration of violence and evil, Blood Meridian presents a profound commentary on the absurdity of existence. The characters are often shown as drifting through a meaningless world, where survival is a matter of chance and where human aspirations are crushed by the harsh realities of nature, violence, and history. McCarthy’s writing, with its stark, poetic prose and its focus on the senselessness of conflict, echoes existential themes. The Kid’s journey, filled with acts of random violence and brutal encounters, reflects the absurdity of human life—how individuals are caught in a cycle of violence and chaos, struggling to find meaning or purpose in a world that offers little by way of answers.

Character Roles in Blood Meridian

The Kid (The Narrator):
The Kid is the novel’s protagonist and its central figure. He is a young, orphaned boy who becomes a member of Glanton’s group, participating in the violence and bloodshed that defines the novel’s world. While the Kid is not a deeply developed character in terms of personal backstory or psychological depth, his role as a passive observer allows readers to witness the brutality of the world through his eyes. The Kid represents the unwitting victim of the violence and chaos around him, caught in the whirlpool of fate and circumstance. His ambiguous relationship with violence, his moments of moral questioning, and his struggle to assert agency in a world that seems to offer none all contribute to his role as a symbolic figure in the novel’s exploration of human nature.
Judge Holden:
Judge Holden is the novel’s central antagonist and one of the most terrifying figures in American literature. He is a tall, almost mythical figure, known for his philosophical musings, his ruthlessness, and his profound capacity for evil. The Judge’s role is both that of a moral philosopher and a terrorizing leader, and he serves as a symbol of the corrupting power of unchecked authority. The Judge is not just a physical presence in the novel but also a representative of the idea of evil as a natural force, one that exists beyond the human realm of morality and reason. His dominance over the group and his ability to manipulate and control the violence around him make him a figure that embodies the dark heart of humanity.
Glanton:
Glanton is the leader of the Indian-hunting group that the Kid joins. He is a pragmatic, violent man, more concerned with profit than any higher cause, but he remains a crucial figure in the novel’s exploration of the brutality and chaos of the American frontier. While Glanton is not as ideologically driven as the Judge, his indifference to human life and his desire to continue the violence of the expedition without questioning its moral or ethical implications align him with the themes of destruction and imperialism. Glanton serves as a mirror to the Judge, showing how different types of men can be equally consumed by the same destructive forces.
The Glanton Gang:
The members of Glanton’s gang—including men like Sproule, Tobin, and Irish—are all brutal figures who engage in the group’s violent missions. While they are not developed as fully realized characters, they serve as a collective embodiment of the violence and savagery that defines the world McCarthy depicts. Each member of the gang reflects the themes of survival and brutality, showing how men are transformed by the culture of violence and war. Their motivations are often self-serving, and their lives are dictated by the chaos and violence around them.

Linguistic Tools in Blood Meridian

Narrative Style:
Blood Meridian employs a third-person omniscient narrative, which gives McCarthy the freedom to explore the inner lives and philosophies of his characters while also creating a sweeping, almost mythological view of the American West. McCarthy’s prose is marked by biblical and epic language, with rich, poetic descriptions of the landscape and the characters. This narrative style allows for a deep, philosophical exploration of the themes of violence, evil, and human nature.
Violence and Symbolism:
McCarthy uses violence not just as a plot device but as a symbolic force that drives the narrative. The relentless bloodshed throughout the novel serves as a metaphor for the moral decay and corruption at the heart of the story. Violence is portrayed as an inevitable force that shapes the characters’ identities and their world, suggesting that it is inseparable from the human condition. McCarthy’s symbolic use of light and darkness further reinforces this contrast between civilization and savagery, with the wilderness often representing the uncontrollable forces that humans must confront.
Dialogues and Philosophy:
The dialogue in Blood Meridian often takes on a philosophical tone, particularly in the exchanges between the Judge and other characters. The Judge’s monologues, in particular, are full of dark philosophical musings on war, human nature, and the purpose of life. These discussions elevate the novel from a simple Western to a metaphysical exploration of the nature of violence, evil, and existence.

Conclusion

Blood Meridian is a stunning and harrowing exploration of the darkness at the heart of the American frontier and the human soul. Through the figures of Marlow, Kurtz, and the Judge, McCarthy presents a philosophical and literary work that challenges conventional ideas of good and evil while confronting the violence that defines human history. With its stark, poetic prose and its unflinching portrayal of violence and moral decay, Blood Meridian remains one of the most challenging and thought-provoking novels of the American canon, offering a deep meditation on the nature of violence, imperialism, and the human condition.