Freedom
In a flashback we learn that the mother of the child and wife of the childs father kills herself, she was free to do it, whether the man agrees with it or not. (pg56-58)
Rebellion
The unnamed father and son walk the roads, barely surviving, but still hold onto there humanity, their still "good guy" selves , and that they "carry the fire"
In a post apocalyptic world that's not worth living in, the father continues to push forward with his son. This in a sense is a form of rebellion, while everyone else has given up, he still has goals other than surviving.
Introduction
Father and son walking the roads of a post apocalyptic world.
In closing
A dying father carries his son to the coast because that was his goal. There was rebellion and freedom handled in different ways than expected. By holding onto their goals , their humanity, they manage their lives in ways humans would and not just people surviving.
A description
"nights dark beyond darkness and days more grey each one than what had gone before. Like the onset of some cold glaucoma dimming away the world." pg 3, paragraph 1
The Road
Freedom in The road
The father is free to do what he wants,and if its needed he will kill those who try to harm him or his son.