No Country for Old Men Chapter 8

Summary and Analysis:
-In Bell's beginning he talks about how the growing problems aren't going away.
-The reader notices that Bell does has a declining sense of self respect when he says, "..I think for me the worst of it is knowin that probably the only reason Im even still alive is that they have no respect for me." Bell knows he is trying, but things are getting out of hand and he feels responsible.
-Moss and the hitchhiker go to the diner
-Moss tells her that "three weeks ago I was a law abidin citizen. Workin a nine to five job. Eight to four anyways. Thins happen to you they happen. They dont ask first. they dont require your permission." This quote further supports the theme of fate and destiny and how each decision you make has some effect whether you realize it or not. This is interesting because it mirrors Chigurh's ideas.
-Moss continues on with this theme throughout their conversation:
  --"It's not about knowin where you are. It's about thinkin you got there wihtout takin anything with you. Your notions about starting over. That's what it's about. Ever step you take is forever. You can't make it go away. None of it. You understand what I'm sayin? pg 227
  --"You think when you wake up in the mornin yesterday dont count. But yesterday is all that does count. What else is there? Your life is made out of the days it's made out of. Nothin else." pg. 227 --> decisions are important, make the most out of things
-It is ironic that at the hotel Moss tells the hitchhike, "...there's a lot of bad luck out there. You hang around long enough and you'll come in for your share of it." -->Obviously he is experiencing bad luck, and it is about to get worse when the mexicans come for him shortly
-Moss and the hitchhiker are murdered, but McCarthy doesn't provide a lot of information about it. We learn of his death through Bell's point of view. This is interesting and highly anti-climactic. Maybe it helps focus not so much on Moss's actual death and suffering, but the larger picture that evil has overcome good, and every decision and choice leads to something. (carla jean's and his)
-Bell went back to the hotel later that night because he knew the money would be there and since the money was there the "bad guy" would be too. But he was slightly cowardly and missed his opportunity


In response to what I read, I was really upset the Moss was killed. I was shocked at the way it was described. I expected it to be a dramatic showdown between him and Chigurh, but I guess with McCarthy writing it the way he did, it puts emphasis on the idea of fate and destiny and proves that not even Chigurh is in control of everything. It was an ironic twist I wasn't expecting.