The Identity of Women in On The Road
The women in Jack Kerouac's 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 novel’s treatment of female characters such as ‘Marylou’ (a friend of Sal’s and one of two wives of another central character, Dean), Sal's Aunt, and ‘Terry’ (a girlfriend of Sal’s). 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 Sal’s aunt. Sal has just returned from his first trip west, and is tired and starving. Taking advantage of his aunt’s 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...
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...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.
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be too hot or too cold, this is a safety precaution for me as well as
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Callahan, John. "Review of Love and Trouble." Short Story Criticism Vol. 5. (Essay date 1974).
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