A name most people know and associate with a wandering spirit, Jack Kerouac was the writer I had never read that I always thought I should knowing my own wandering spirit. So it was a great surprise when one of the books that came up as a read for my book club was the classic novel On the Road.
It made me wonder “what makes a novel a classic?” and fortunately there are official criteria.
- There is a memorable protagonist
- An exploration of the human experience
- A richness that rewards multiple readings
- Enduring influence
When thinking of these criteria, it is easy to see how this novel is considered a classic, and it also made me start to think of modern novels that could be considered classics and it was really hard to pick any out. Kristin Hannah has a couple that could possibly be placed in this category, as does Ann Patchett, and Wild by Cheryl Strayed I would even consider a potential classic. It will be interesting to see what is still being read fifty years from now.
On the Road is the story of people trying to find themselves and their place in a world that is in its own big shift as well. It follows a group of beatniks as they travel across the country and get into some wild situations and even wilder conversations. Since this is a more wildly known book many have probably read and will read in the future, I am going to do this blog a little differently. This is also an experiment to explore the book with me. When I bring a book with me anywhere, my notebook is right there with it. I love to take notes about the book I am reading and notate quotes I love as well. So below are my notes while reading and also as we discussed the book in my local book club, some with a bit more explanation that I come up with I am rediscovering what I discovered while traveling with Jack Kerouac.
“When we know someone is using us, but we like their company, is it a bad situation afterall?” This was in relation to my initial feelings when Carlo and Dean would talk to each other and just drag Sal along with them, sometimes asking for money, shelter, or just for him to take one of their sides. When I read this now, I feel like it is my own struggles with co-dependency trying to explain themselves.
If you listen to the song “Blessed Are the Mad Ones” by David Keenan at any point during this book, it sings true to the characters and their situation.
Quote that stuck out to me; “Dean’s intelligence was every bit as formal and shining and complete, without the tedious intellectualness.”
What is the origin of the word “hobo” and why does it have a negative connotation now? This caused me to go down a rabbit hole about the word, and honestly, I think hobo culture is fantastic and so interesting. There are still hobo conventions to this day, and I myself would love to attend one. If you want to know a little more, click here.
People like Dean overwhelm to the point you don’t know what you are agreeing to, but you sure do have fun and almost a high off of telling the story later.
Dean seems wild and free, but he also gets caught up with things like marriage and time constraints which shows he still longs for stability. Watching Dean operate puts me in a state of awe, but also makes me so anxiety ridden at the same time.
In the day and age where we can verify everything online, we don’t talk and share knowledge like we used to. That’s why we have such fantastical folklore because we can’t just look-up the likelihood or truth behind what is being told. We relied on our own knowledge and imagination. Sometimes I will ask simple questions I know I could just google, but I want to get a conversation going and allow someone to share their knowledge or learn along with me.
Many of those in my book club were disgusted by the characters, both male and female, but this is how some people were back then. They were the epitome of over-confident insecure people. But is the novel then great in the exploration of those feelings rather than crass and terrible?
As I wrap up my notes from the novel I can definitely understand why it is a classic and has created conversation throughout the years and is a read in classes and book clubs across the world. Overall, I did enjoy the adventure and it made me itch to get out on the road myself. As the daughter of a truck driver and an introvert who is also a big nerd who loves to learn, I always feel the haven of the road calling.
Feet Up, Speak Up 
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