Search Of Identity In Space-Spatial Narrative In On The Road And The Dharma Bums

Jack Kerouac(1922-1969) is one of the most representative Beat writers in American literature. His second novel On the Road(1957) is regarded as “the Bible of the Beat Generation”. Two young men in the novel, Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty, are idolized as teachers of bravery for America because of their wild behavior and pure spiritual quests being on the road. In The Dharma Bums(1958), Ray and Japhy continue their trip to search for inner peace and they manage to be more persuasive and less controversial under the guidance of oriental philosophy. Kerouac spent his whole life roaming around for his beat pursuit to find a place that matches his identity. This thesis aims at explaining the necessity and goals of being a bum on the road. According to Lefebvre’s spatial theory, Sal and Dean in On the Road have to go on the road to get away from the society and use their bodies to construct a space of enjoyment which allow their overall senses to liberate completely; Ray and Japhy in The Dharma Bums show the power and beauty of the natural space with more calmness and meditation. In these two novels, only by transferring different spaces can they realize the goal of searching for identity.This thesis contains five chapters:Chapter One is a brief introduction to Jack Kerouac, On the Road and The Dharma Bums, literature review on these two novels, and Lefebvre’s spatial theory which will be used in this thesis.Chapter Two focuses on spatial narrative in On the Road: the first part compares descriptions of different geographical spaces so as to demonstrate Sal’s contrastive impressions on the East and the West. This explains one of the reasons why Sal has to go out to regain his lost identity in another geographical space. The second part reveals the contemporary social space as an ideology constraint, paying most attention to interpersonal relationship in the society; the third part respectively analyzes Sal and Dean’s search for identity in space, concluding that Sal is not able to find his ideal space due to his indecisive personality while Dean constructs his space of enjoyment by utilizing his body energy.Chapter Three focuses on spatial narrative in The Dharma Bums: firstly, Japhy’s behavior in the city and the countryside contrasts how different geographical spaces exert different influences on him; secondly, buildings as products of spatial practice and social relationship are well described to unveil its benefit-oriented social space in The Dharma Bums; thirdly, Ray finds his identity in the natural space but he is still on his way of appreciating nature.Chapter Four enlightens these two novels from “On the Road” to “Rucksack Revolution”, explaining significances of longing for spiritual freedom, being wild and pursuing beatitude: “the road” is a necessity to transfer spaces, “on the road” represents a dynamic and active state, indicating Sal and Dean’s resistance of being restrained and determination of constructing the space of enjoyment. “Rucksack” symbolizes the act of walking out of the city for spiritual quests, and “Rucksack Revolution” appeals to go back to the natural space.Chapter Five is the conclusion. Based on detailed analysis, the thesis draws a conclusion that characters in On the Road and The Dharma Bums have to transfer different geographical spaces so as to make it possible to search for their lost identity, they find the space of enjoyment and the natural space as suitable spaces but they will never stop searching. There will always be something to expect on the road.