The arguments concerning the validity of Judge Holden’s symbolic status as maybe a representation of science or an incarnation of pure evil are both very viable and agreeable. I think it’s a disheartening to pigeon-hole this dynamic character into one or the other. A more accurate reading of this character is as a combination of both sentiments in relation to Holden’s role in the work -specifically pertaining to the kid. Holden and the kid have clearly established an adversarial type of relationship at this point, and a showdown of sorts is imminent. In examining how the judge functions in McCarthy’s novel, I made up my mind on Holden being a clear antithesis to the kid, but the manner in which he becomes this is done by incorporating both aspects of science and an almost mystic type of innate evil.
From the kid’s first encounter with the Judge we get a glimpse into Holden’s true nature. He lies about the preacher and effectively ruins the revival and dooms the man attempting to do God’s work. Obviously the whole thwarting god thing points to an evil, devil-like persona for the Judge, but what I took notice of was the extreme ease with which Holden persuaded an entire tent of people against a man of god. This is eerily similar to biblical parables which display the devil’s ability to pervert the minds of men to do evil. The judge’s ability to captivate and in turn alter and control men is seen further after the kid joins Glanton’s gang. The stories he tells around are not only a source of entertainment for the men, but they also depict Holden’s desire to impart some type false morality onto the scalpers - again reminiscent of biblical descriptions of the devil.
Holden’s desire for influence over the men in the gang is obvious. Given the historical reference to actual judge, I still like to think that Holden’s name is even a play on the fact that the judge wants everything in the world to almost be “beholden” to him. To ensure that this does in fact become a reality for the judge, he keeps the notebook to document everything he encounters. The notebook is clearly a source of power for Holden. He seeks to have an intimate understanding of everything, and through this immense understanding he seeks control. This inherently points at the Judge as not being a representation of pure science, but a perversion of it. With comments like, “The freedom of birds is an insult to me. I’d have them all in zoos,” coming from the Judge it seems that he doesn't study the world merely to understand it, but he seeks a sinister sense of control over it and its inhabitants.
The kid doesn't seem to factor into Holden’s plan for the world. His refusal to end Shelby’s pain by killing the him proves that the kid is not one to blindly follow anyone completely. Despite this, the kid still seems to hold the judge in some sort of respectable light. Even after the Yumas attack the ferry, the kid is unable to kill Holden, though he also doesn't trust the judge either. This relationship will prove to yield a very interesting showdown. I honestly cannot wait for the work’s conclusion.
