Have you ever read a book that takes you on a journey, both physically and emotionally? One such book is “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac, which is considered a classic of American literature. But have you ever wondered who wrote the book about a road trip?
The answer to that question is Jack Kerouac himself. He wrote “On the Road” in 1951, but it wasn’t published until 1957. The book is based on Kerouac’s own experiences traveling across the United States with his friend Neal Cassady.
Kerouac’s writing style in “On the Road” is characterized by its spontaneity and stream-of-consciousness narration. He describes the people he meets and the places he visits in vivid detail, capturing the essence of America in the post-World War II era.
One of the most striking elements of “On the Road” is its use of subheaders. Kerouac divides his narrative into different sections, each with its own title. For example, Part One is called “The Great American Desert,” while Part Two is titled “San Francisco Scene.”
Kerouac also uses lists to great effect in “On the Road.” In one memorable scene, he describes all of the different types of people he has met on his travels:
“I met..
“Old junkies
with long white hair eating soup
out of cans.
I met.
Young junkies in leather jackets
who stomped on their floorboards
and shouted for joy.
This list gives readers a sense of how diverse and colorful Kerouac’s experiences were.
In addition to subheaders and lists, Kerouac also uses bold and underlined text throughout “On the Road.” These elements draw attention to certain phrases or words, emphasizing their importance. For example, in one passage, Kerouac describes the feeling of being on the road:
“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 at the same time,
the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing,
but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles
exploding like spiders across the stars.”
The bold and underlined text in this passage emphasizes Kerouac’s passion for life and his belief that people should live it to the fullest.
In conclusion, “On the Road” is a masterpiece of American literature written by Jack Kerouac. His use of subheaders, lists, bold and underlined text makes the book visually engaging and adds to its overall impact. If you haven’t read “On the Road” yet, it’s definitely worth adding to your reading list.