Analysis of spiritual pressure of the Beat Generation in On the Road

劉英波

（沈陽理工大學外國語學院，遼寧 沈陽 110159）

Analysis of spiritual pressure of the Beat Generation in On the Road

劉英波

（沈陽理工大學外國語學院，遼寧 沈陽 110159）

This paper aims to make an analysis of the double spiritual pressure of the Beat Generation in On the Road. Through the analysis,it shows the readers an actual American society after the World War II,and spiritual pressures that American young people meet.

beat;American Dream;pressure;freedom

I712.074

A

1005-5312（2015）11-0014-01

On the Road is Kerouac’s representative work,written from 1948 to 1956 and published in 1957,which is often considered as a defining work of the postwar Beat Generation.After the World War Two,America became more and more authoritative.Besides,because of the influence of Cold War and world hegemony,America not only competed with Soviet Union around the world,but also intensely controlled its people’s minds.Under the social and cultural backgrounds,the Beat Generations had to use their special ways to challenge,influence and reconstruct the mainstream society and culture.

The rebellion and extreme life styles of the Beats are the expression of their inner pain,but the excellent representatives of them are not really addicted to alcohol,drug,and sexual indulgence, or abusively enjoy their pains.As a matter of fact,the movement of the Beat Generation in essence is a rebellious movement.In the high pressure of McCarthy era and boring society,these young people feel the unbearable oppression and bondage,and are always seeking a way out.The spirit of the Beats means the younger generations of America the first time have looked at this social progress with a fresh viewpoint;they find that these industrial development and technological advancement have led to decline and chaos of modern civilization.Although the Beats have a rebellious spirit,in fact,most of them are mild in nature.Their rebellion is to be true to themselves, they struggle to maintain their own nature.Though their mental state is complex and contradictory,they do not collapse,on the contrary, they represent a spirit,a desire,a pursuit of the truth.The symbolic meaning is clear that in any hostile environment,the Beat Generation in spirit never“collapse”.Their contempt of power and fear reflects their extraordinary impulse of life.

The real meaning and the real value of this movement lies in that it rebels against the mainstream society and ideology that suppressed humanity,that it plays a pioneer role in opening the new phase of American history and culture,that it makes valuable efforts on strengthening the ordinary common American public’s social awareness and morals,especially that it explores how to maintain and develop the spirit of human nature after the collapse of traditional values in the modern world.

In terms of Kerouac and his characters,“Road”has rich symbolic meaning,it is the road of life,the road to truth,and the road to spiritual growth.Therefore,“on the road”is a symbol of never-ending pursuit of the Beat Generation.Although they tried and experienced to explore new life by using various ways and special behaviors and actions,they still keep and strive for their dreams and faith;they satisfy themselves in spiritual world,and open new ways for Americans to follow.However,there are many new things people need to find on the road,it has no end.No matter what will happen,it is still a way of exploration for truth and for spiritual satisfaction.It will always show different faces of society and makes people reconsider it. Beat Generation is a presentation of rebellion emerged from decent life of contemporary American materialism.They try to build their ideal lives on the basis of current living condition;they show the Faustian Spirit of seeking ultimate limit in human’s experiences during this process.They doubt American Dream at the beginning, but they finally find the truth that they are identifying.In this big society,they still have freedom,democracy,and equality like other people;they also can get physical and spiritual satisfaction from outside.Most importantly,they still have the opportunity to strive for their dreams,faiths,and realize their self values.

Bibliography：

[1]Kerouac,Jack,Donaldson,ed.On the Road[M].New York:Penguin Books, 1979.

[2]Holmes,John C.The Philosophy of the Beat Generation[M].New York: Penguin Books,1979.

[3]肖明翰.垮掉一代的精神探索與《在路上》的意義[J].四川師范大學學報(社會科學版),2010(01).

[4]周凌楓.“垮掉一代”精神探源[J].紅河學院學報,2005(01).