Impact of Dean on Sals Identity in Jack Kerouac’s On The Road Essay

The tint of Dean on Sals IdentityinOn the Road On The Road begins with the protagonist, Sal, (representative of author Jack Kerouac), being overwhelmed by feelings of confusion and incredulity regarding his personal identity. He then meets Dean Moriarty, an eccentric character who rejects societal values and norms. Sal is absorbed with and entranced by Dean, perceiving him as almost preternatural, and decides to follow him across the country. A passive character, Sal soon becomes dependent on Dean, mimicking his friend rather than discovering his personal identity. It is likely that such behaviour was greatly influenced by events that occurred in Jack Kerouacs childhood . Eventually, Sal realises that if he is to be independent, he must no longer blindly follow others, notwithstanding discover himself. Sal is presented at first as a passive character, individual who has shaped his identity by depending on others to influence him. His morals and val... ...n what he has discovere d about himself. Sal set out to experience the world. What he finish up finding, was himself (Honan 1987ix). Bibliography Charters, Ann. 1973. Kerouac A Biography, Warner Communications Company, New York. Honan, Simon, 1987. The Beat Generation, Allen and Unwin Publishing, New York. Kerouac, Jack. 1976. On the Road. Penguin, New York. Tytell, John. 1976. Naked Angels the Lives and Literature of the Beat Generation. McGraw-Hill, New York.