Essay Questions

How does Leo manage to come out of boredom?

Leo is depicted as a lonely, bored young man who has spent his entire life living with his mother. Leo struggles with loneliness and boredom for the better part of his life until he decides to move out and meet other people. When Leo goes out, he starts hanging out with people of different personalities. One person who completely breaks Leo's boredom is Mardou, a girl with all the aspects that Leo is looking for. For a while, Leo does not know how to approach Mardou and tell her that he loves her.

At last, Leo gains courage and tells Mardou that he loves her and starts a relationship. A few days later, Mardou is pregnant, and the two agree that they raise the baby together. Leo is happy, and he takes his time to reflect on his past, which was filled with boredom.

Explore the power of friendship using the book ‘The Subterraneans by Jack Kerouac?

At first, Leo is a dormant young man, spending most of his time at home. Being at home for Leo is the worst experience because he does not know how to exploit his potential. After going out, Leo meets friendly people who think critically like him. Leo is happy to learn that people love his thinking and way of doing things. For instance, Roxanne is a true friend who reminds Leo of the significance of continuing to do his authorship work. Consequently, the people around Leo remove him from the shell, and he gets exposure to greater things in life, including getting his lover. Therefore, friendship is a powerful tool to help someone exploit his or her potential.

What is the emblematic meaning of Leo’s mother?

Leo lives with his mother for twenty-eight years without getting exposed to the outside world. While at home, Leo is under pressure to fit in with her mother because she does not believe in him. Therefore, Leo's mother is a symbol of dominance and the loneliness that Leo goes through. Leo sees the light after going out to the coffee shop, and his confidence and ability are discovered.