Kerouac
KerouacMartin, William 2-14-97
Charters, Ann. Kerouac: A Biography. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1959, 1994.
419 pp.
Jack Kerouac
Kerouac: A Biography, helps to explain how Jack Kerouac, the founder and most
important member of the Beat movement, was influenced by the rapidly changing culture
of the 1950’s, as well as, how Kerouac ignited a social and literal revolution in
America, from which the Beatniks and Hippies emerged. All of Kerouac’s books drew
public attention due to Kerouac’s originality and new style of writing. Kerouac’s
originality and unique style of writing is also why, “Kerouac is best known as the key
figure of the artistic and cultural phenomenon of the 1950’s known as the Beat
movement” (Stine 273). Kerouac: A Biography helps to explain why the statement above
is true.
The book, Kerouac: A Biography, is very thorough and explains every aspect of
Jack Kerouac: past, present, and future. Everything is very detailed throughout the book.
According to Deck: “Ann Charter’s ‘Kerouac,’ taken as straight biography or as an
evocation of perhaps one of the liveliest periods in American letters, is a pleasure. It is
about men and ideas that changed everything. That’s reason is enough o read it” (23).
Deck’s statement is true, the book is a pleasure to read. Kerouac was born in Lowell,
Massachusetts, on March 12, 1922. Kerouac went to school in New York City and
afterward served in World War II. After the war Kerouac became a wanderer, traveling
through the United States and Mexico. Kerouac’s wandering and experiences are what
created the subject matter of his books. Even though Charters is friends
with Kerouac, she is not biased. Charters explains both the positive and negative aspects
of Jack Kerouac, such as Kerouac’s alcoholism. Charters also discusses all of Kerouac’s
works and how they are actually personal stories of Kerouac’s life.
The changing culture of the 1950’s is what inspired Kerouac to evolve into the
creative genius that he became. In San Francisco, California, and Greenwich Village,
New York, America’s culture was beginning to change during the 1950’s. Jazz, sex, and
drugs were eminent throughout both of these cities. The bohemian culture, as well as,
Eastern philosophy were also beginning to play a major role in people’s lives. People
were beginning to open there minds to Eastern philosophy and trying to ignore the...
To view the complete essay, you be registered.