Summary Of Reading And Writing About The Road By Jonathan Silverman

In the essay, “Reading and Writing about the Road,” Jonathan Silverman, examines the text he observed during a trip across America, along with people’s obsession with American popular culture and the road. This obsession is seen in writings from travelers of the past, and more notably in the many movies that have been made, based on travelers and the road. Regardless of people’s different reasons to travel across America, each person will encounter messages through their own interruption of messaging they view along the road. Messages emit from the various towns, signs and the landscape seen by the traveler, all of which are sending out messages. These messages generally are geared toward traveler’s necessities such as, direction, food,
gas, or lodging. However, some signs can be coded, either for political or religious views of the area’s population. Silverman, points out “Route 66”, which has been used as a road for migrants as well as the first Americans that traveled for pleasure. Silverman, points out how “Route 66” becomes romanticized and evoking nostalgia, through writings and movies. The essay, “Reading and Writing of the Road,” is well written, as it persuades the reader with their own image of the road, either through a personal experience, novel or popular movie. All of which, I believe evoke peoples feeling of nostalgia, as well as perpetuating the obsession of the road. Therefore, supporting the thesis that American’s are obsessed with popular culture, and its relationship with the road. Silverman’s essay, has me remembering every road movie, and movie that I have seen in my life. I am still attempting to count the number of items that I have owned over the years that are related to the road and popular culture. From the lunch boxes, t-shirts, games, puzzles and even my old bed sheets. I enjoyed Silverman’s trip, along with my own trip down memory lane. I admit that I’m American, and obsessed with our culture.