The old man expresses his deep-seated disbelief in the existence of gods, indicating that he has abandoned faith long ago. He suggests that divine beings cannot thrive where humans struggle, reflecting a bleak view of life and spirituality. For him, this disillusionment leads to a sense of isolation, which he now considers preferable to the false comforts of belief.

This exchange emphasizes a theme of despair and the human condition within "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. The questioning of divine presence in a world filled with suffering highlights a stark realism that challenges traditional notions of faith. The old man's conviction that solitude is better than clinging to unfounded hope demonstrates a profound resignation to the harsh realities of existence.