This paper deals with the portrayal of the essential beliefs and ideals of the Beat Generation in Jack Kerouac’s novel “On the Road”. It will prove that these beliefs are illustrated through the lifestyles of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty during their journey. As the major characters of the novel, who clearly did not live up to society’s expectations of Post-War-America Dean and Sal are the prefect examples for the beats. To achieve this aim, this paper will critically examine how the ideas of the Beat Generation can be found in the novel.
The ideals referred to will include a non-conformity towards society’s expectations and a rebellious attitude towards the mainstream society. Furthermore, an inner drive to travel, to be on the road and to search for meaning are reoccurring motifs and beliefs of the protagonists. Lastly, Sal and Dean start to turn towards different, Non-American cultures, in order to find the meaning of life.
The paper will begin with an examination of the rebellious attitude of the protagonists to find the motivation and source of their rebellion, which leads to their non-conformity. Regarding the mentioned non-conformity, the paper will investigate how Sal and Dean did not conform to given rules and expectations and to what extent they carried out their non-conformism. Moreover, the underlying meaning of the journeys in the novel and the reason for their transcendental reach will be surveyed. Additionally, the paper will examine if Sal and Dean even knew why they were traveling and searching, or if they were on the road for the sake of being on the move.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Ideals of the Beat Generation in On the Road
2.1 Non-Conformity and Rebellion
2.1.1 Dean Moriarty as the Embodiment of the Beat Non-Conformist
2.1.1.1 Dean Moriarty, Women and Gender Roles
2.1.1.2 Dean Moriarty, the Holy Goof
2.2 Being on the Road
2.2.1 Going Westwards
2.2.2 Fleeing an Imposed Lifestyle
2.2.3 The Transcendental Aspect of The Road
2.3 Turning Towards Non-White Cultures
2.3.1 The African-American Culture
2.3.2 The Mexican Culture
3. Conclusion
4. Works Cited
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines the core ideals of the Beat Generation as portrayed through the characters Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty in Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road, specifically focusing on their rebellion against post-war American societal norms.
- The role of non-conformity and rebellion against middle-class expectations.
- The symbolic significance of the "road" as a means of escaping an imposed lifestyle.
- The search for transcendental meaning and personal identity outside of the American mainstream.
- An exploration of how the protagonists engage with African-American and Mexican cultures as alternatives to Western conformity.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.1.2 Dean Moriarty, the Holy Goof
All in all, Dean is the main mean of rebellion towards the imposed rules of society, since his character is a constant discrepancy. He disguises his foolishness in means of business-like articulation (cf. Llano 204), which he uses in rather private situations, for instance with Camille, when he is actually seeing two women at the same time (cf. Kerouac 39). Using a rather formal style, in a rather preposterous situation, mocks at the expected formality of the Middle Class and shows how imposed values and norms are absurd (cf. Llano 205). Dean takes up the imposed values, but through his reinterpretation and implementation, he radically breaks with those values. For instance, he is married and a father, but of several children, from different women he also married (cf. Llano 205). Dean Moriarty lives in the moment and embraces the present instead for achieving the imposed American Dream in the future, through working one's way up (cf. Llano 206). "Dean seems to hold within him the real beat lifestyle" (Skinazi 88). Therefore the given label "as a child of the rainbow" (Kerouac 43) is quite suitable for Dean since he is the most careless character of the novel, who is simply not interested in following the rules or the norms of common life.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of the Beat Generation as a counterculture and introduces the central research question regarding the ideals of the movement.
2. The Ideals of the Beat Generation in On the Road: Discusses the overarching themes of non-conformity, the symbolic importance of travel, and the turn toward marginalized cultures as a critique of mainstream American life.
2.1 Non-Conformity and Rebellion: Examines how the protagonists defy societal expectations of the post-war era.
2.1.1 Dean Moriarty as the Embodiment of the Beat Non-Conformist: Analyzes Dean Moriarty's character as a primary vehicle for anti-establishment behavior.
2.1.1.1 Dean Moriarty, Women and Gender Roles: Explores how Dean's erratic personal life and disregard for domestic responsibility challenge traditional gender roles.
2.1.1.2 Dean Moriarty, the Holy Goof: Discusses the contradictory nature of Dean as both a chaotic figure and a symbol of authentic, spontaneous life.
2.2 Being on the Road: Focuses on the physical and psychological journey of the protagonists across the USA.
2.2.1 Going Westwards: Analyzes the American cultural myth of the West as a symbol of freedom and discovery.
2.2.2 Fleeing an Imposed Lifestyle: Describes how travel serves as an escape from the consumerism and domestic expectations of the 1950s.
2.2.3 The Transcendental Aspect of The Road: Investigates the spiritual search for meaning and authentic existence in a conformist world.
2.3 Turning Towards Non-White Cultures: Explores how Sal and Dean seek inspiration and life outside the white middle-class experience.
2.3.1 The African-American Culture: Discusses the connection between Jazz culture and the Beats' search for raw, unfiltered expression.
2.3.2 The Mexican Culture: Highlights Mexico as a destination that offers a perceived escape from the constraints of American bureaucracy and morality.
3. Conclusion: Summarizes how On the Road serves as a literary testament to the Beat philosophy of individual authenticity.
4. Works Cited: Lists the academic secondary literature and the primary text used in the research.
Keywords
Beat Generation, Jack Kerouac, On the Road, Non-conformity, Counterculture, American Dream, Sal Paradise, Dean Moriarty, Rebellion, Jazz, Transcendental, Migration, Social norms, Post-war America, Identity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
This paper explores the rebellious ideals of the Beat Generation as depicted in Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road, specifically analyzing how the characters reject post-war American mainstream values.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The core themes include non-conformity, the critique of the American Dream, the significance of traveling, and the search for authentic identity through engagement with non-white cultures.
What is the main objective of the paper?
The goal is to prove that the lifestyles of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty serve as a deliberate manifestation of Beat ideals in direct opposition to the societal expectations of their time.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author employs a literary analysis methodology, utilizing secondary scholarly sources to interpret the characters' actions, motives, and the cultural context of the 1950s.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body breaks down the characters' rebellion, their motivations for traveling westward, their search for transcendental meaning, and their deliberate alignment with African-American and Mexican subcultures.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Beat Generation, non-conformity, counterculture, American Dream, and transcendental search.
How is Dean Moriarty presented in this paper?
Dean Moriarty is characterized as the ultimate "Beat" figure who constantly breaks social norms, rejects the role of a traditional family man, and embodies a "holy" yet erratic path of living in the moment.
Why does the author consider Mexico significant for the protagonists?
Mexico is described as a paradise of non-conformity where the protagonists feel free from the "apathetic" and restrictive social pressures found in the United States, allowing for a more hedonistic and authentic existence.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Elisa-Maria Schneider (Autor:in), 2017, Rebellious Ideals of the Beat Generation in Kerouac's "On the Road". Turning-Away from Mainstream America, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/983727
