Identity of Women in Jack Kerouac’s On The Road Essay -- On The Road e

The Identity of Women in On The Road The women in Jack Kerouacs work, On The Road, are depicted as superficial and shallow, while the men display depth in character. Women are stereotyped as falling into one of three categories virginal, parental or promiscuous, and, throughout the tonic, are referred to in a facetious, derogatory manner. Sal, the protagonist, expresses male chauvinist attitudes, which are a result of both his upbringing and societal attitudes of the time. Although the raw does highlight the problem of sexism, ultimately it does nothing to criticise it, but in fact projects it. In On The Road, there are many instances in which female identity is diminished. These arise in the novels word of female characters such as Marylou (a friend of Sals and one of both wives of another central character, Dean), Sals Aunt, and Terry (a girlfriend of Sals). Marylou, for example, is treated as an bearing with the sole purpose of satisfying Dean wishes. He uses her for hi s own inner gratification and, in some instances, the cozy gratification of his friends, but does not view her as a complex individual, nor does he value her for her personality. Thus, Marylou is sensed by the male characters to fall into the promiscuous category, and is referred to in the novel as a whore. At the end of part one of the novel, the ref witnesses the unjust intercession of Sals aunt. Sal has just returned from his first trip west, and is old-hat and starving. Taking advantage of his aunts sympathy, he eats everything in her house. He does not, however express any gratitude toward this kindness, but takes it for granted. Thus, his aunt is sensed only as a maternalistic figure. He does not explore bey... ...This perception of female identity causes the men in the novel to happen superior and dominant. The sexual discrimination and denigration of female identity spare in On The Road, is a reflection of societal attitudes of the time. Works Cited and Consult ed Bartlett, Lee. The defeat Essays in Criticism. Jefferson, N.C. McFarland. 1981. Cassady, Carolyn. Heartbeat My Life With Jack and Neal. Berkeley Creative Arts Books Company. 1976. Cassady, Neal. letter to Jack Kerouac. March 7, 1947. Challis, Chris. Quest For Kerouac. London Faber and Faber Limited. 1984. Dardess, George. The Delicate Dynamics of intimacy A Reconsideration of Kerouacs On The Road. American Literature. v46 200-206. 1974. Kerouac, Jack. On The Road. New York Penguin Books Limited. 1955. Watson, Steven. The endure of The Beat Generation. New York 1978 Identity of Women in Jack Kerouacs On The Road Essay -- On The Road eThe Identity of Women in On The Road The women in Jack Kerouacs work, On The Road, are depicted as superficial and shallow, while the men display depth in character. Women are stereotyped as falling into one of three categories virginal, maternal or promiscuous, and, throughout the novel, are referred to in a facetious, derogato ry manner. Sal, the protagonist, expresses sexist attitudes, which are a result of both his upbringing and societal attitudes of the time. Although the novel does highlight the problem of sexism, ultimately it does nothing to criticise it, but in fact projects it. In On The Road, there are many instances in which female identity is diminished. These arise in the novels treatment of female characters such as Marylou (a friend of Sals and one of 2 wives of another central character, Dean), Sals Aunt, and Terry (a girlfriend of Sals). Marylou, for example, is treated as an reject with the sole purpose of satisfying Dean wishes. He uses her for his own sexual gratification and, in some instances, the sexual gratification of his friends, but does not view her as a complex individual, nor does he value her for her personality. Thus, Marylou is sensed by the male characters to fall into the promiscuous category, and is referred to in the novel as a whore. At the end of part one of t he novel, the contributor witnesses the unjust treatment of Sals aunt. Sal has just returned from his first trip west, and is fatigue and starving. Taking advantage of his aunts sympathy, he eats everything in her house. He does not, however express any gratitude toward this kindness, but takes it for granted. Thus, his aunt is perceived only as a maternal figure. He does not opine bey... ...This perception of female identity causes the men in the novel to olfactory perception superior and dominant. The sexual discrimination and denigration of female identity bare in On The Road, is a reflection of societal attitudes of the time. Works Cited and Consulted Bartlett, Lee. The trounce Essays in Criticism. Jefferson, N.C. McFarland. 1981. Cassady, Carolyn. Heartbeat My Life With Jack and Neal. Berkeley Creative Arts Books Company. 1976. Cassady, Neal. letter to Jack Kerouac. March 7, 1947. Challis, Chris. Quest For Kerouac. London Faber and Faber Limited. 1984. Dardess, George. T he Delicate Dynamics of friendly relationship A Reconsideration of Kerouacs On The Road. American Literature. v46 200-206. 1974. Kerouac, Jack. On The Road. New York Penguin Books Limited. 1955. Watson, Steven. The let of The Beat Generation. New York 1978