Study Questions
Is Dean a hero, a failure, or both?
What is Sal's attitude toward America?
What is Sal's idea of the West compared to his idea of the East? Does this change during the course of the novel?
How is On the Road written that is different from earlier, more traditional novels? What kind of effect on does this have on traditional plot? Does the form help to express the themes of the novel?
Discuss the theme of race in the novel. Is Sal prejudiced?
Discuss the women in On the Road. What kind of problems do Sal and Dean have with women, and how does this affect their actions?
Is Sal an honest narrator? Are there any inconsistencies in his narration? If so, what effect do they have on the story?
Discuss the theme of jazz music in On the Road. How does jazz music relate to the novel thematically? Formally?
