The Beat Generation In Jack Kerouac's On The Road

Tara Pettner

Honors English 9

Mrs. Steppe

4/24/14

Jack Kerouac, author of On the Road, was one of the most prolific writers of the Beat Generation. Along with Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs, Kerouac was a writer who broke away from traditional forms of literature and introduced a new style. This new style featured a musical structure that resembled jazz, and it pushed the boundaries of common literature. Throughout Kerouac’s novel, On the Road, one can see the new style used by authors of this post-war generation, even though he did not believe there was a Beat Generation. He left a large impact on modern literature by his breaking away from the usual writing styles. In addition, On the Road has been described as “a manifesto for the movement” (“Beat Generation”). The Beat Generation was a spark that began to change writing forever.

However, what was this spark? The Beat Generation is a term that describes a literature movement of the post-World War II era. It is a term that describes the counterweight to suburban conformity, especially during Eisenhower’s presidency. This was also the time when the Cold War was putting a tension on American life (“Beat Generation”). Jack Kerouac met William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg in New York City. The three became friends, and, because of their lifestyles, they were major influences of the Beat Generation (Weinreich). Kerouac himself penned a dictionary definition of his own. It distinguished the Beat writers as embracing “mystical detachment and relaxation of social and sexual tensions (“Beat Generation”).” Although Kerouac was such a prominent figure of the movement, he chose to believe that the entire Beat circle was disgusting. Kerouac participated in discussions about the Bea...

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...ons of writers before them (“Beat Generation”). Kerouac is also characterized by writing in a raw manner, rather than being what was considered “cool.” Kerouac was inspired to do so by Neal Cassady’s explicit letters to him. He urged Cassady to write his works as he would write those letters. Kerouac’s influence led to Cassady’s presence in the Beat Generation (Leland). In 1957, Howl and Other Poems was seized by customs officials and tried for obscenity. The charges were dropped. After the trial had ended, sales of Howl and Other Poems skyrocketed, and it brought great notoriety to the Beats (“Beat Generation”). The Beats were finally recognized at the time, and their new style was recognized by all.

Although the changes in language were throughout most Beat poetry, the Beats were not very similar. The writers are often generalized, but many find it difficult to