Why do you think that the novel ends with the image of trout in mountain streams before the end of the world: “In the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery” (287). What does it suggest about what lies ahead?

The lines suggest a fall back into the laws of nature following the failure of human laws as seen in the novel.

Explanation:

'The Road' is a post apocalyptic novel that develops an understanding that often the scientific method runs counter to the way human brain wants to work which is more in tune with the law of nature.

As all societal rules crumble and fail in the book, it is evident that all things greater than man, and by default older than man will survive him.

So the emphasis in this line is on older than man and mystery bath of which would have been understood had man not tried to conquer the world on his terms.

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