The spiritual quest in On the RoadA disillusioned young man wanders the country without really settling in one of the many cities he falls in love with. In doing so, he gets by with the thought or presence of his best friend. What is he looking for? During the journey, Sal Paradise isn't looking for a house, a job or a wife. Instead, he longs for a mental utopia offered by Dean Moriarty. This object of his brotherly love grew up on the streets of America. Through the hardships of constantly being shuffled from city to city, Dean has come to understand what is and isn't important in life. While returning to Testament aboard the '49 Hudson, Dean proposes to Sal by appealing to emotion. In conveying his philosophy, Dean eloquently states, “It's all right, God exists, we know time” (Kerouac 120). After the war, America achieved the status of economic success through the provision of assembly line industries and manual labor in civil services. The 1950s marked an evolution from skilled craftsmanship to mindless mechanical work in factories. Life goals included working in a permanent position, having a home, and providing for his wife and children. However, with the threat of the Cold War looming over their heads, young people of this generation have become disenchanted with the so-called American dream. They realized that life is ephemeral and that there is more to life than punching a time clock. The concept of individuality was more important than conformity. It has become a “culture that expresses the true Self and true spontaneous desire” (McGeory 21). As an author and member of the younger generation, Jack Kerouac embodies this notion of estrangement throughout his novel, On the Road. Allen…middle of the paper…notion that their quest is spiritual" (Goldstein 61). Once we have achieved ideal inner peace, it is when we are truly able to understand the bond of friendship that unites us. surrounds us If we are able to maintain this philosophy, no problem can deteriorate our well-being. We will be able to enjoy life more and discover what our fears hide. Works cited Birkerts, Sven: Kerouac reread and repented." Harper's Magazine July 1989: 75. Ginsberg, Allen and Gregory Corso. "Ten Angry Men." Esquire. June 1986: 261. Goldstein, Norma Walrath. "Kerouac's On the Road." The Explicator Fall 1991: 61.Kerouac, Jack. On the Road New York: Penguin Books. 1955.McGeory, Heather R. "On the Road to Upheaval." F. "Dad, who was Jack Kerouac?" Newsweek 1988: 64.