Coming to Terms with Reality

There is a distinct similarity between On the Road and Kafka's story. The idea of a soul searching adventure is a very openly used theme in The Metamorphosis. Kafka writes about a man who wakes up to find that his boring and agitating life has become, although more annoying, a bit more exciting than usual since he has transformed into a giant bug. However, the message that the reader gets from this transfiguration, the fact that he is no longer useful at his job, and that his family has given up on him is that the harder you fight to get away from it all, the quicker you actually get to your wished destination. Evidently,  the wished destination concludes with the fastest and loneliest path towards death with no one to mourn your passing. Only those who think it is fit to celebrate once your gone are left. This realization in Kafka's story that is seen by readers is portrayed in On the Road as Sal walks through the same steps that the main character in Kafka's story did. So, since he sees his own life turning dull and stagnant, he is desperately trying to find an escape route out of this form of limbo that plagues his own life. Currently he has found a way to dodge the depressing lifestyle that will eventually lead to an unpleasant death. However, Sal is not entirely sure if the remedy is permanent. So, he is constantly on the move, running away from any form of commitment and responsibility that might fall on his shoulders if he stands still for too long.  I do believe that most males at this point in their lives tend to develop this idea that their lives are turning from exciting to boring because of the numerous issues that they have to take care of which leaves them with little to no time at all to keep up with youth. Therefore, they panic and think that they need to start doing reckless and fun things in order to keep their original color. This may suppress their feelings on the matter for some time but, eventually they will see that there is no escape from the inevitability of responsibility and will come to terms with the spots that they must fill in society, unhappily no doubt.