The novel On the Road by Jack Kerouac is often characterised as a travelogue. To a certain degree, this might work since the author made some travels around the United States before working on the Novel. Even the routes of his trips resemble to some degree the routes within On the Road. In 1947 Kerouac travelled from New York to Illinois, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, California and back to New York. In 1950, he took another long trip, which led him from New York to Denver, Texas and Mexico. Nevertheless On the Road is more than a description of autobiographic experiences on the road. Other critics underline the autobiographic role of balancing accounts with his friendship to Neal Cassidy who serves in the alias of Dean within the novel. Others criticized the novel as being no more than a manifest for the Beat culture, a “puff piece” for a life as tramp, consuming drugs and departure from a “normal life”. This work will try to point out some of the meanings and allusions hidden in the novel. Chapter 1 will set On the Road in connection with earlier “hobo-literature” to elucidate Kerouac’s ideals of a life as a tramp. As a kind of travelogue On the Road is about movement and thus about space. Chapter 2 will show what space or the change of space means for the novel and how it constitutes the matter of time within the novel. Chapter 3 focusses the “dynamics of friendship” - the development of the protagonist’s friendship. The last chapter deals with the quest for experience, which is one of the most prominent intertextual ingredients in the novel. On the Road was frequently referred to as “novel of initiation” or description of a spiritual pilgrimage.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- On the Road and the tradition of hobo-literature
- Time and space in On the Road
- The dynamics of friendship in On the Road
- The spiritual pilgrimage
- Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This work analyzes Jack Kerouac's On the Road, exploring its literary allusions and intertextual connections. It aims to move beyond simple characterizations of the novel as a mere travelogue or manifesto of Beat culture, delving into its deeper meanings and thematic complexities.
- The portrayal of the tramp figure in American literature and its evolution in Kerouac's work.
- The significance of space and movement in shaping the narrative and temporal experience of On the Road.
- The development and dynamics of friendship as a central theme within the novel.
- The exploration of a spiritual quest or journey of self-discovery as a key intertextual element.
- The relationship between individual freedom and societal expectations.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introduction sets the stage for the analysis of On the Road, challenging simplistic interpretations of the novel and outlining the key areas of focus for the subsequent chapters. It positions the work within the broader context of Kerouac's life and the prevailing critical perspectives on the novel, highlighting its complexities beyond a simple travelogue or Beat Generation manifesto. The introduction effectively lays out the framework for a nuanced examination of the novel's thematic richness and literary allusions.
On the Road and the tradition of hobo-literature: This chapter explores the depiction of the "tramp" figure in American literature, contrasting Kerouac's portrayal with earlier representations. It analyzes the evolution of the tramp from comedic figures like Chaplin's Tramp to more complex and morally ambiguous characters in works by Warren and Updike. The chapter contrasts the "clown-tramp" with the "real tramp," highlighting the societal implications and the different ways the tramp figure has been presented. It also connects Dean Moriarty's character to this tradition, examining his ambiguous nature and his relationship to figures like Huckleberry Finn and drawing parallels between the road in On the Road and the river in Huckleberry Finn. Finally, it considers the historical context of tramp culture in America, examining societal attitudes towards tramps and the legislation aimed at controlling them. The chapter uses examples from various authors, like Jack London and William Howells, to showcase the diverse representations of tramps throughout American literature, providing a rich historical and literary context for understanding Dean Moriarty's character and his significance within the novel's themes.
Keywords
Jack Kerouac, On the Road, hobo-literature, tramp figure, intertextuality, allusion, space, time, friendship, spiritual pilgrimage, Beat Generation, American literature, individualism, societal expectations, Huckleberry Finn, Jack London.
Frequently Asked Questions: On the Road - A Literary Analysis
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a literary analysis of Jack Kerouac's On the Road. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What topics are covered in the analysis of On the Road?
The analysis explores several key themes: the portrayal of the tramp figure in American literature and its evolution in Kerouac's work; the significance of space and movement in shaping the narrative and temporal experience; the dynamics of friendship; the exploration of a spiritual quest or journey of self-discovery; and the relationship between individual freedom and societal expectations. It also delves into the novel's literary allusions and intertextual connections, moving beyond simplistic interpretations as a mere travelogue or Beat Generation manifesto.
What are the key chapters and their summaries?
The analysis includes an introduction that sets the stage and outlines the key areas of focus. A chapter dedicated to "On the Road and the tradition of hobo-literature" explores the depiction of the "tramp" figure in American literature, comparing Kerouac's portrayal to earlier representations and examining the historical context of tramp culture in America. Other chapters delve into time and space in the novel, the dynamics of friendship, and the spiritual pilgrimage within the narrative. A concluding summary chapter is also included.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Jack Kerouac, On the Road, hobo-literature, tramp figure, intertextuality, allusion, space, time, friendship, spiritual pilgrimage, Beat Generation, American literature, individualism, societal expectations, Huckleberry Finn, Jack London.
What is the overall approach of the analysis?
The analysis aims for a nuanced understanding of On the Road, moving beyond superficial characterizations and exploring the deeper thematic complexities and literary allusions within the text. It positions the novel within the broader context of Kerouac's life and existing critical perspectives.
What literary works are referenced in the analysis?
The analysis references works by various authors, including comparisons to earlier depictions of the tramp figure in American literature, drawing parallels between Dean Moriarty and characters like Huckleberry Finn, and considering the works of authors like Jack London and William Howells.
- Quote paper
- MA Guido Maiwald (Author), 2007, Jack Kerouac´s "On the Road". Intertextuality and Allusion in the Novel, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/214764
