First off, I just want to say that I agree with Sarah. Sal does remind me in many ways of Holden in "Catcher in the Rye". Both characters' stories are centered around them finding themselves through carelessness and random adventures.

I also noticed that Kerouac is very well able to manipulate the novel through pace. Much of the images that are drawn up of the various situations and locations are actually indirectly done through the pace of the writing, particularly the contrast of the frantic rushed pace of LA and Hollywood to the more relaxed pace of hanging out at the bars.