See, the 'On the Road' that came out in 1957 was censored. A lot of the honesty of it, the bitter honesty, is in the original scroll version that came out in 2007 on the 50-year anniversary. Back then, there was so much post-Second World War fear that was imposed on everybody - 'You must live life this way' - and these guys were bored.

Summary

This quote highlights how the original version of Jack Kerouac's novel 'On the Road' published in 1957 was censored due to the prevailing fear and societal restrictions of the post-World War II era. The author explains that the 2007 scroll version of the book, released on its 50-year anniversary, restored the raw and honest portrayal of the characters' experiences. In an atmosphere where people were constrained by societal expectations, the characters in the book represent a group of individuals who were disenchanted and restless, seeking excitement and meaning outside of traditional norms.

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