Overall, how does The Road connect to the ideas of Transcendentalism?

The primary focus of Transcendentalism was for individuals
to break away from conformity and establish a stronger relationship with their own
emotional sensibilities.  The hope was that these moments of affect would be the
constants in a world of contingency.  It is here where McCarthy's work echoes
Transcendentalist sensibilities.  The father has only one driving force that animates
his being.  The love he has for his son is representative of the Transcendental belief
of being in touch with one's emotions, expressing what matters in a world of fleeting
temporary elements.  Certainly, the setting of a post- apocalyptic reality helps to
force the issue.  However, the overriding theme of devotion to one's emotional interests
is highly Transcendentalist.

Another Transcendentalist
theme is the ability to remain an individual. The need for self wisdom, away from the
prying and intrusive elements of others, is something vitally important to
Transcendentalism.  The father represents this in how he protects for his son, fighting
each moment for his well being and ensuring that the boy is protected from the harsh
elements of the world.  The father has wisdom in that he is completely aligned with what
is important.  In the Transcendental idea of "Know Thyself," the father represents this
in that he does know who he is and what he is to embody.