As I transitioned from my role with my former company I felt compelled to read several books that I would otherwise never had the time for – I was stuck on a cruise ship for 9 days this past February and visited the library (it does exist) to help pass the time. Cruises may seem like a great idea from the outset, however I would caution any potential ‘cruiser’ to re-consider their options. In any event, I always had an interest in the so-called ‘Beat’ generation that originated in NYC in the 1950s – a collective of artists and writers that centred on ‘innovations in style, experimentation with drugs, alternative sexualities, an interest in Eastern religion, a rejection of materialism, and explicit portrayals of the human condition.’ Jack Kerouac was a central figure in this pivotal juncture in literary history and I felt the need to read his best-known piece ‘On The Road’.
‘On The Road’ is a semi-autographical account of Kerouac’s travels across the United States and his interactions with a diverse cast of characters along the way – although the content is somewhat lacking in substance, one must ‘read between the lines’ to extract the true value. Kerouac himself is a literary genius and often credited as the pioneer of the revolutionary ‘Beat’ generation of writers, and while the bottle may have fuelled his creative juices, it would also be his eventual demise.
Sal Paradise, the protagonist of ‘On The Road’, is a misguided twenty-something adolescent searching for belonging through his navigation of America’s roads. He is often accompanied during his exploits by the free-wheeling Dean Moriarty, who often plays the role of antagonist, at odds with Sal’s moral compass. The genius of Kerouac lies in his ability to parallel these characters to the reader’s own circumstance, even some fifty-odd years after publication. I must say I did envy Sal’s unbridled optimism each time he set out on his next trek – no destination, just an enthusiastic outlook as to what the road held for the journey ahead. Any degree of hesitancy was often overshadowed by his buddy Dean’s overbearing nature and full-speed ahead approach to their adventures.
As I progress through my MBA journey I do think back to Sal Paradise – how carefree and easygoing he must have been throughout his travels, where he would have been today had the bottle not got the better of him and most importantly, what words of wisdom he would share with a fellow ‘traveller’ such as myself. I feel I’ve channelled my inner ‘Sal Paradise’ and am charting my own course through the MBA program – new experiences, eager to take on challenges and excited for the adventures that lay ahead. I have also been blessed with connecting with an interesting group of individuals that have helped shape my experience. Most importantly however, have been the ‘Dean Moriartys’ I have met along the way, who have pushed me beyond my comfort zone and will make this experience far superior than any road Sal Paradise ever travelled.