Dean Moriarty is a character from Jack Kerouac's classic novel "On the Road". Based on the persona of Neal Cassady, a famous figure if the Beatnik movement in America in the 50s, and a friend of Jack Kerouac. Dean is an expression of the American youth, hungry for life, girls, fun and freedom. Often misunderstood by older people, or seeming chaotic to others, Dean is an inspiration for the narrator of the story, Sal Paradise. Growing up in reform schools and later, in jail, Dean is now looking for freedom, with his endless love for women and high speeds, energetic and charming. He's said to be stealing cars just for fun so he can drive around, which is the reason he was in reform schools. Representing the new wave in the USA in the 50s he also likes jazz and want to be an 'intelectual' like his friend Carlo Marx, whose character is also based on the Beatnik poet Alan Ginsberg, a friend of Jack Kerouac.
by Nathaniel Flint January 11, 2022