On the Road | Teaching Setting, Symbolism and Objects

Object Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major objects in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Objects

Benzedrine - A popular drug because of its hallucinogenic properties.

Cold Water Flat - A type of low income housing like a basement apartment.

GI Checks - Veteran benefits that were intended for eduction.

Mann Act - A law that aimed at restricting interstate adultery and prostitution that was later deemed unconstitutional.

Mississippi River - Splitting the United States into halves, it is a symbol for the 'journey' and life itself in American mythology and in On the Road.

New Orleans - A city known as "The Birthplace of the Blues," it was...
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