Term Paper Part 1

                On The Road, a novel by Jack Kerouac, represents the Beat generation as it occurred in the 1950’s. The Beat generation was recognized through its rejection of standards, experimentation with drugs, polygamous sexual relations, rejection of materialism, and a passion for Eastern religion. Jack Kerouac’s On The Road, along with Allen Ginsberg's Howl and William S. Burroughs's Naked Lunch, was one of the most recognized Beat literature narratives of all time. Main characters represented non-conformity throughout the story, exemplifying the cultural views of those living in the time period. This book portrays The Beat Generation and it inability to comply with society's standards.

                The journey starts out with Sal Paradise, I recently divorced writer living in New Jersey with his aunt. His life has grown to be quite dull and with no stable job nor solid family ties, he finds no reason to remain in his place and ventures forth in hopes of finding inspiration for his writing. This hunger leads him to follow his friend, Dean Moriarty, down “the road”, towards West America where he finds an adventure that would further separate him from reality. These two characters create a poison when mixed together as they partake in bizarre and strange experiences while refusing to accept society’s standards. Dean, who is practically the embodiment of the entire Beat culture, teaches Sal that polygamous sex, drugs, and theft are a day to day basis of life. Being the most mad and crazed character in the book, Dean has a strong refusal to submit to what was deemed socially acceptable. He strayed away from the idea of a nuclear family and a sober lifestyle and avoided “outdated” mentality, leaving the views of the older generation behind. This gigantic swing to the left outraged conformists who refused to accept the new coming age yet were forgotten in order to relieve tension towards the younger crowds who were needed for the future.

                With the continuation of the story, free association writing breeds meaningful discourse and spiritual reflection as Dean communicates with those around him. Sal, who has been characterized as an outsider, finds utter confusion in these thought patterns yet admires the freedom of Dean’s mad mind. These speech patterns presented by Dean convey the free mentality and blissful thinking which the Beat generation aspired to achieve. By simply sitting there and allowing the words that run through their mind to fall off their lips, they are, in a crazed way, breaking the chains of strict conformity, and while seeming insane to others, are allowing their minds to roam in ways that older generations would have seen as unacceptable behavior. Of course, the use of psychotics or drug related substances aided in their ability to communicate in such mad and bizarre ways.