On the Road by Jack Kerouac Essay

â€Å"On the Road† by Jack Kerouac is largely autobiographical work attributed to the genre of stems of consciousness creation. The novel is based on the author’s spontaneous trips with his friends across mid-century America. The novel is deeply inspired by poetry, jazz and drug experiences. The author has changed many of the names, but most references are claimed to be real-world counterparts. In the five parts and sixteen chapters the author describes restless and crazy journeys of Dean, Sal and his friends across the country. Dean Moriarty plays important role in the novel progression as he symbolizes the changeable nature of human relations and the dark side of society. Nevertheless, he pushes and inspires other to act towards their destinies symbolizing changes and shifts. Dean is certainly negative character, though he has positive impact of Sal – one of the protagonists – as he makes his stronger and more confident. Dean lives in San Francisco, travels across the country. Kerouac defines Dean as â€Å"the perfect guy for the road because he actually was born on the road†. (p. 0) However, he presents Dean as wild and mad character stressing that it is his craziness and energy that affects others to act. Dean drinks a lot, uses drugs and has many women. Moreover, he is a father of four children from two different women. Dean manages to change the life values of Sal. For example, before Sal meets Dean, he had â€Å"just gotten over a serious illness that†¦had something to do with†¦my feeling that everything was dead†. (p. 10) Dean’s character can be defined as embodiment of the whirlwind day and as Sal’s shifts from the East to the West Coast. Dean symbolizes changes acting as mechanism for movement beginning. Dean is zealous and wild personality, though he is captivating as well. Sal says about Dean: â€Å"the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . (p. 14-15) Therefore, Dean’s character plays crucial role for Sal’s development as personality, as well as he is the embodiment of passion for life and constant activity.