The Repetitive Tone of On The Road

On the Road has a repetitive quality or tone, which I think is similar to how the literal life on the road is. The aspects of the road are ones of unbroken paths with the same grayish concrete and unending yellow lines. They lead you to different places, but fundamentally all these places are the same. In turn, the attitude of this novel takes on this theme. It seems that no matter where Sal is, he does the same things, over and over again. He is always intrigued by the places he goes. Inspired by how different they are from urban New Jersey and New York City. He meets new people, most of whom are trouble. They get themselves into messy situations but they are resolved by end of the night. Similar to driving on a road, Sal keeps moving and does not to look back, while in the moment. Sal meets girls, all of whom he finds beautiful but flawed. This seems to hint to the reader that he is not necessarily searching for love, but for perfection. He keeps spending money, that he does not have, for beer and his nights on the town. Yet, he does not seem inclined to work anywhere. He will have to start looking for a job or risk starving. He also is living off the generosity and hospitality of his friends. He uses their homes as places to sleep and for food when offered. When that runs out he may end up living on the street.