Kerouac :: essays research papers

Martin, William2-14-97 makes, Ann. Kerouac A Biography. New York St. Martin&8217s Press, 1959, 1994.419 pp.Jack KerouacKerouac A Biography, helps to exempt how Jack Kerouac, the founder and closely important member of the Beat move workforcet, was influenced by the rapidly changing culture of the 1950&8217s, as well as, how Kerouac ignited a social and literal revolution in America, from which the Beatniks and Hippies emerged. All of Kerouac&8217s books drew public attention due to Kerouac&8217s originality and new style of composition. Kerouac&8217s originality and unique style of writing is withal why, &8220Kerouac is best known as the key figure of the artistic and cultural phenomenon of the 1950&8217s 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. Acc ording to Deck &8220Ann Charter&8217s &8216Kerouac,&8217 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&8217s reason is enough o read it (23). Deck&8217s statement is true, the book is a pleasure to read. Kerouac was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on edge 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&8217s 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&8217s alcoholism. Charters also discusses all of Kerouac&8217s works and how they are actually personal stories of Kerouac&8217s life.The changing culture of the 1950&8217s is what inspi red Kerouac to evolve into the creative genius that he became. In San Francisco, California, and Greenwich Village, New York, America&8217s culture was beginning to change during the 1950&8217s. Jazz, sex, and drugs were eminent throughout both of these cities. The bohemian culture, as well as, Eastern ism were also beginning to play a major role in people&8217s lives. People were beginning to open there minds to Eastern philosophy and trying to ignore the idealism of the unenlightened West. Other influences of Kerouac were such writers as Walt Whitman and Henry Miller.