Analysis of Jack Kerouac's Works

Book Review # 75121

English > Analysis
English > Comparison
Literature > American
Literature > Comparative Literature

An analysis of Jack Kerouac as well as his characters in three of his works.

2,937 words () | 11 sources | MLA | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper shows that social discomfort and distrust are heavily reflected in Jack Kerouac's works. Ray Smith from "The Dharma Bums" and Sal Paradise from "On the Road" are confused by society and why it functions as it does, and are therefore isolated from it. Leo Percepied from "The Subterraneans", on the other hand, becomes isolated from society as a result of not understanding himself and merely tries to accept his life for what it is. The paper takes a look at the links between Kerouac's characters, also in comparison to his own life.

From the Paper:

"Eventually Ray comes to believe that the only way to achieve total happiness is to find "dharma," or truth. He comes to this conclusion with the help of his good friend Japhy Ryder. Ryder is an easygoing young man who is a strong follower of Buddhism. He introduces Ray to Buddhist thinking and gets him interested in pursuing dharma by telling him miraculous tales of the great Han Shan, an ancient Buddhist monk whom he grows to admire greatly. His admiration is for Han Shan's ability to "take off by himself and live purely and true to himself."3 For Han Shan the solution is to live a life of his own in the mountains of China, in retreat from society's conformity."

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APA Citation:

Analysis of Jack Kerouac's Works (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Book-Review-Analysis-of-Jack-Kerouac's-Works/75121