Is Jack Kerouac's writing even more significant now?

Question

About 20 years ago I was 18 and read Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" and "Dharma Bums." I remember loving his prose and relating to the wandering mentality.

I recently reread these books at 37 and I was profoundly moved by both books (even more so then the first time I read them). Has anyone else found Jack Kerouac's writing to be even more profound as you get older? Perhaps it's my realization that I will probably never have the chance to go "on the road" now that I have kids and responsibilities. Sad.

Answer 1

When i read those books i mostly feel sad that the lifestyle described is pretty much impossible now. You can't just go wherever you feel like and do whatever you want with no consequences no matter what age you are, but as a teenager you are less likely to realise that. I think as you get older you tend to realise that more, as you said by being faced with family and other responsibilities, and you aren't as idealistic as you are as a teenager. Therefore reading the books as an older person you appreciate just how precious that experience would have been.  

Answer 2

Kerouac catalogs the lifestyle of the beat generation which is in many ways a liberal reactionary movement in response to the conservative direction of the country during the '50's.

I find it resonates well in response to aging which often results in a movement towards conservatism on a personal level, as well as in times of heightened national conservatism.