Kerouac Essay, Research Paper
Martin, William 2-14-97
Charters, Ann. Kerouac: A Biography. New York: St. Martin s Press, 1959, 1994.
419 pp.
Jack Kerouac
Kerouac: A Biography, helps to explain how Jack Kerouac, the founder and most
important member of the Beat movement, was influenced by the rapidly changing culture
of the 1950 s, as well as, how Kerouac ignited a social and literal revolution in
America, from which the Beatniks and Hippies emerged. All of Kerouac s books drew
public attention due to Kerouac s originality and new style of writing. Kerouac s
originality and unique style of writing is also why, Kerouac is best known as the key
figure of the artistic and cultural phenomenon of the 1950 s known as the Beat
movement (Stine 273). Kerouac: A Biography helps to explain why the statement above
is true.
The book, Kerouac: A Biography, is very thorough and explains every aspect of
Jack Kerouac: past, present, and future. Everything is very detailed throughout the book.
According to Deck: Ann Charter s Kerouac, taken as straight biography or as an
evocation of perhaps one of the liveliest periods in American letters, is a pleasure. It is
about men and ideas that changed everything. That s reason is enough o read it (23).
Deck s statement is true, the book is a pleasure to read. Kerouac was born in Lowell,
Massachusetts, on March 12, 1922. Kerouac went to school in New York City and
afterward served in World War II. After the war Kerouac became a wanderer, traveling
through the United States and Mexico. Kerouac s wandering and experiences are what
created the subject matter of his books. Even though Charters is friends
with Kerouac, she is not biased. Charters explains both the positive and negative aspects
of Jack Kerouac, such as Kerouac s alcoholism. Charters also discusses all of Kerouac s
works and how they are actually personal stories of Kerouac s life.
The changing culture of the 1950 s is what inspired Kerouac to evolve into the
creative genius that he became. In San Francisco, California, and Greenwich Village,
New York, America s culture was beginning to change during the 1950 s. Jazz, sex, and
drugs were eminent throughout both of these cities. The bohemian culture, as well as,
Eastern philosophy were also beginning to play a major role in people s lives. People
were beginning to open there minds to Eastern philosophy and trying to ignore the
idealism of the unenlightened West. Other influences of Kerouac were such writers as
Walt Whitman and Henry Miller. Kerouac greatly identified with their ideas of free love,
and writing from personal experiences. Neal Cassady also influenced Kerouac. Neal s
autobiographical style was exactly what Kerouac had been fumbling toward himself in
his grandiose plans to be a writer (Deck 23). Kerouac had many influences, but it was
mostly his originality which led him to become a great writer.
Jack Kerouac had a long lasting effect on America for years to come, because he
enlightened people in different ways to think and live. Kerouac created a new style of
writing known as spontaneous prose; which is a style of writing in which one writes with
an undisturbed flow from the mind. (Tytell 142). Kerouac also created a social and
literary movement, known as the Beat movement. Followers of the Beat movement were
known as Beatniks. The Beatniks advocated personal release, purification, and
illumination through the heightened sensory awareness that can be induced by sex, drugs,
or jazz. Spontaneous prose became a way of life for the Beatniks. They began to live
their lives by means of spontaneity. Whenever an idea would come to them they would
act it out without thought or concern. The Beatniks later evolved into the Hippies, and
created a whole new nation through music, art, literature, and social behavior. Jack
Kerouac and the Beatniks created a cultural revolution which changed America forever.
During the 1960 s most critics did not consider Kerouac to be a great writer, and
did not like the message he had to convey. They thought Kerouac s subject matter was
lewd and influenced people in a negative way. When his work was condemned along
with the movement, Kerouac withdrew from society and took to drinking. He died at the
age of forty-seven, feeling neglected and scorned, never suspecting that he would become
one of the most widely read writers of his generation (Kheridan 136). It is a shame that
Kerouac never knew what a great impact he had on society and literature. Kerouac
opened up new doors for people to express their true feelings and beliefs through
literature. Jack Kerouac s creativeness and inovativeness have changed the literary,
musical, artistic, and social aspects of America, through his writing and creation of the
Beat generation.
316
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