On the Roads optimism Essay example - 2844 Words

nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In Jack Kerouac’s novel On the Road, the narrator, Sal Paradise offers up to us what seems to be a very optimistic view on life. He is forever singing the praises of how wonderful his adventures will be and his high expectations for the future. To Sal, the novel is defined by youthful exuberance and unabashed optimism for the new experiences that he sets out to find. A deeper look into the novel, as well as a look at some of the critics who have written on it, reveals a much darker side, a more pessimistic and sad aspect that Sal simply fails to realize until the very close of the action. Whether Sal is hopped up on the optimism of jazz music, secure in his belief that he is off to find ‘IT,’ or just excited†¦show more content†¦nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The influence of Dean Moriarty on the novel, in terms of everything from plot to general tone to the thoughts and dreams of Sal, is immeasurable. Most importantly though, he is the catalyst for much of this blind optimism – for in a sense, he personifies blind optimism. During the long introduction of Dean in the first chapter, Sal shows the vast impression that Dean will have on the tone of the novel: all my New York friends were in their negative, nightmare position of putting down society and giving their bookish or psychoanalytical reasons, but Dean just raced in society, eager for bread and love; he didn’t care one way or the other (Kerouac, 7). Dean’s refusal to look at the world with a disapproving eye and always having hope for simple things like food and sex exemplify his personification of optimism. This early passage of the novel shows that Dean will - and eventually does - become the driving force in the optimism that marks much of the book. Dean’s lust for life guides himself and Sal to places such as jazz clubs, old friends’ houses, and even Mexico. But with Dean as well as the cohorts that follow his madness, (Sal, Ed Dunkel, Carlo Marx and many more) the result ends up being much less than ideal, despite the fact that they sometimes happen to receive thatShow MoreRelated Maya Angelou: Hope into Art Essay1343 Words   |  6 Pagesof the hope and optimism in its heart that enables it to sing no matter its dour, trapped circumstances.   In similar ways, Angelou often used such hope and optimism to survive terrible life experiences, like living through the Watts Riots in Los Angeles and their a ftermath.   Over the years Angelou had to make tough choices for a female, especially an African-American woman in a racist society.   Nevertheless, she exhibited hope, optimism and courage that enabled her to walk the road seldom taken.  Read MoreDeath Of A Salesman And A Streetcar Named Desire1207 Words   |  5 Pagesto believe that there was ever any optimism. 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