10/17/2011

In my latest reading, about half way through the book, I was very interested in the imagery Kerouac uses. For instance, his use of love metaphors to describe especially Sal’s car driving or the road itself is remarkable. In fact, the author uses an extended love metaphor throughout several of the novel’s parts. When Dean drives incautiously, he still keeps full control over the car Sal refers to the white line in the middle of the highway “hugging” the front tire. Furthermore, the road is always seen as very important, essential or even as motherlands. For instance, when Sal, with the other characters, begins his journey to New Orleans and hits the highway, he talks about the road as if it is his home. Also, the characters appear to know the road very well, they know its complications and benefits. Sal, Dean and the others are aware of the fact that it is sometimes wise to stop for hitchhikers, as these might pay for gas. In addition, in one scene Dean encounters a traffic jam, but cleverly drives around it by speeding through a gas station. It seems the characters care more about the road than themselves, as they are so selfless in driving it and traveling around the country. Therefore, especially Sal and Dean have a strong emotional connection to the road. They consider the road their home and associate feelings of sexuality and love to their journey. This is, arguably, because the road facilitates their experiences. Their entire aim or current goal is set around getting to the West over the road. On this journey, the characters try to find an identity and attempt to experience freedom and an unworried environment to later possibly express these in writing.