This Bachelor thesis is focused on male characters in the two Cormac McCarthy's early novels, Outer Dark and Child of God. Both novels are related to the Southern Gothic; therefore, the first part of the thesis is concerned with its short characteristics and connection to McCarthy's works. The following chapter describes the features which are common to both characters: uprooting from the society, predestination, question of morality, depicting of taboo, grotesqueness, and connection with the theme of myth. The last two chapters deal each character's specifics. The chapter on Culla Holme is focused on biblical allusions, the theme of guilt and punishment, and the motif of blindness. Last chapter discusses Lester Ballard, his connection to the historical events which were used as a source of inspiration, and the transformation from the child of God to the god of his own world.