Jack Kerouac's depiction of "the road" stands in contrast to Walt Whitman's famous metaphor of "the open road." While Whitman celebrates the road as a symbol of boundless possibilities and personal freedom, Kerouac infuses it with a sense of restless pursuit, capturing the yearning for adventure and existential exploration. This narrative innovation not only offered a fresh perspective but also resonated deeply with the cultural shifts that emerged in the 1960s.

Kerouac's On the Road presciently captured the burgeoning cultural zeitgeist of the 1960s, reflecting themes of rebellion, the quest for authenticity, and a critique of materialism. The novel's free-spirited characters and jazz-infused prose anticipated the decade's countercultural movements, setting the stage for the era's embrace of spontaneity and self-discovery.

Examining the literary influences on Kerouac reveals a blend of traditional and contemporary inspirations. While he was undoubtedly shaped by the greats of literature, his work was also heavily influenced by the writers of his time, such as William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg. This fusion of old and new contributed to the distinctive voice that Kerouac brought to his narratives.

Kerouac's interactions with those he termed "bums" were pivotal in shaping his worldview. These encounters offered him insights into alternative lifestyles and philosophies, which he wove into his writing to challenge societal norms and highlight the beauty in unconventional lives.

The character of Dean Moriarty, an embodiment of Kerouac's friend Neal Cassady, is vividly portrayed in On the Road. Through Moriarty, Kerouac explores the allure of a charismatic, impulsive personality driven by a relentless hunger for experience. His admiration for Moriarty’s vitality and unbridled enthusiasm is palpable, capturing the essence of a man who lived life with uninhibited zeal.