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, atomic number 18 portrayed as trivial and shallow, while the men display depth in character. Women argon stereotyped as falling into one of three categories virginal, maternal or promiscuous, and, throughout the refreshing, are referred to in a facetious, derogatory 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 nil to criticise it, but in fact projects it. In On The Road, there are many instances in which effeminate identity is diminished. These arise in the novels treatment of female characters such as Marylou (a hero of Sals and one of two wives of another central character, Dean), Sals Aunt, and Terry (a girlfriend of Sals). Marylou, for example, is treated as an object with the sole purpose of satisfying Dean wishes. He uses h er 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 survey her for her personality. Thus, Marylou is perceived 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 reader witnesses the unjust treatment of Sals aunt. Sal has just returned from his first trip west, and is tired and starving. Taking usefulness 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 look bey... ...This perception of female identity causes the men in the novel to feel superior and dominant. The sexual discrimination and slander of female identity evident in On The Road, is a reflection of societal attitudes of the time. Works Cited and Consulted Bartlett, Lee. The Beats Essays in Criticism. Jefferson, N.C. McFarland. 1981. Cassady, Carolyn. Heartbeat My Life With Jack and Neal. Berkeley productive Arts Books Company. 1976. Cassady, Neal. Letter to Jack Kerouac. March 7, 1947. Challis, Chris. Quest For Kerouac. capital of the United Kingdom Faber and Faber Limited. 1984. Dardess, George. The Delicate Dynamics of Friendship A Reconsideration of Kerouacs On The Road. American Literature. v46 200-206. 1974. Kerouac, Jack. On The Road. youthful York Penguin Books Limited. 1955. Watson, Steven. The Birth 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 portrayed 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, derogatory 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 two wives of another central character, Dean), Sals Aunt, and Terry (a girlfriend of Sals). Marylou, for example, is treated as an object 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 perceived 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 reader witnesses the unjust treatment of Sals aunt. Sal has just returned from his first trip west, and is tired 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 look bey... ...This perception of female identity causes the men in the novel to feel superior and dominant. The sexual discrimination and denigration of female identity evident in On The Road, is a reflection of societal attitudes of the time. Works Cited and Consulted Bartlett, Lee. The Beats 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 Friendship 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 Birth of The Beat Generation. New York 1978