The Life Philosophy Of The Beat Generation As Reflected In The Novel On The Road

Jack Kerouac (1922-1969), the author of On the Road, has been known as the king and soul of the "Beat Generation". On the Road has also been regarded as the "Bible" of the "Beat Generation". Once the book was published in1957, it gained varied positive or negative comments and Kerouac reaped a great reputation from it. Gilbert Millstein praised the novel:"Its publication is a historic occasion." While The Chicago Tribune said Kerouac’s writing style could not afford to appreciate and was a kind "without restraint". No matter what kind of comments they are, one thing can be confirmed is the book has been accepted and ranked in the classics. As an autobiography of Kerouac, he straightforwardly but implicationally recorded himself (Sal) and Dean’s (Neal Cassady) journeys, setting out from New York to the mysterious west and even far to the Mexican world. It is the faithful record of the way of life and emotions of the "Beat Generation" and mirrors us a realistic image of the early1940s to the later1950s of the US society. The novel helps us deep into the question how we are to live which the "Beats" are always seeking to find an answer.From the aspects of social environment and literature ideological trend of the "Beat Generation", this thesis aims to target on the question:what they really pursue? After the Second World War, the USA experienced a period of material prosperity but spiritual degeneration. People spared no efforts to seek the so-called "financial security" while ignored the spiritual enhancement. The political and cultural atmosphere was still quite depressing although the war was over. McCarthy ism, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, racial discrimination and intermittent economic depression waved one after another. The young generation already lost their confidence in the mainstream society. It was in such a circumstance that the youngsters with the same attitude toward the society gathered together and formed the "Beat Generation". The main leaders of the "Beat Generation" were Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs. They "Beats" expressed their disgust against the suffocating life and used their unique life style to rebel against the degenerating world. They roamed and exhausted themselves on the road to find the real meaning of life.The thesis is divided into four parts and a conclusion:Chapter One is an introduction which briefs Jack Kerouac’s life and the literary significance of On the Road. Then, the researches of the novel at home and abroad are presented together with the necessity and significance of this research.Chapter Two mainly focuses on the emergence and development of the "Beat Generation" from two aspects:its society background and the literature trends that affected the "Beat Generation".Chapter Three analyses the unique alienation and rebelliousness of the "Beat Generation" against the mainstream society.Chapter Four explores the personality and characters of Sal and Dean and their spiritual sublimation experienced on the road, who finally came to realize that the best way to help solve their spiritual dilemma was to learn how to live a life of one’s own choice.