Mad to Live

Music is life: that's why our hearts have beats (Megane)

Death is ultimately inevitable. We all will end up dead at some point, what matters is what we leave behind, what we do while we’re still alive. Whether we just hear or we listen, whether we simply see or observe. It’s about the difference between existing and truly living. Light my Fire itself is all about abolishing inhibitions and giving your all in life and love, which is a lot like the novel’s spirit. Light my Fire touches on drugs, sex, having an open mind, responsibilities and relationships, themes also present in On the Road’s second part. Sal and Dean light each other's fire up, they feed off each other's energy, even if they don't always agree on all aspects of life, marital fidelity and responsibilities for example. The song can also represent part of the duality that is shown in Sal all throughout the book: he wishes to take a wife, settle down and have a family but enjoys being on the road, partying and flirting nevertheless. 

"Come on baby, light my fire. Try to set the night on fire" is a line that shows the extent of the similarities between the song and the book, both talk about long, lively, eventful nights. 

This 60's psychedelic rock songs was largely inspired by the novel, as the author behind Light my Fire's skeleton is Ray Manzarek, who, as previously mentioned, idolized Jack Kerouac and his work. 

Light my Fire by The Doors

All throughout the second quarter of On the Road, readers get a taste of revolution, Sal's dreams but especially his need for everything that surrounds him, from the smallest positive thing to the biggest accomplishment. Times are sometimes hard when, for example, he works in a cotton field. Sal, nevertheless, doesn't give up hope, his heart never stops aching for better days. That true "joie de vivre", carefree spirit and ambition are well represented by the Big Dreams to Take Over the World by Tim McMorris. That song, released in 2013, thus proves that the novel On the Road is ageing well and still very actual; its main themes are often used nowadays too. 

"New thoughts and, ideas, My dreams, they all start right here"

Big Dreams to Take Over the World by Tim McMorris

"Start spreadin' the news, I'm leaving today" "A-number-one, top of the list, king of the hill, A-number-one" Song of hope and pride that transcend eras, Theme from New York, New York is a celebration of life, filled with yearning and a tremendous desire for success and happiness, just like the novel. Furthermore, various concepts in the song illustrate On the Road perfectly, for instance, the periphrasis  "city that never sleeps" is analogous to the big parties that happen during New Year's weekend in the book. 

Therefore this classic song, that is still nowadays a major symbol of the Big Apple (it was even sung as a tribute to NYC healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic: Read the story here) is a perfect musical companion to the book. 

Theme from New York, New York by Frank Sinatra

(Xavier)

Black people working in a cotton field

In the second quarter of the book, Sal works picking cotton in a field. It is an extremely difficult job that is ridiculously paid. Sal has just enough money to eat. During this time, he lives in a rudimentary tent with Terry and her little boy Johnny. Then, we learn migrant families are living in those miserable conditions. This scene exposes the harsh reality of life in the southern states of the USA in the forties. Even if slavery was abolished after the victory of the northern states in the Civil War (1861-1865), we can still feel this terrible passage is a consequence of slavery. Also, if On the Road is mainly about the joy of living, this scene clearly shows the reader the reality was still boundlessly hard for many people in the late 1940s.

Party in the forties

The quest for pleasure is omnipresent in the second quarter of On the Road. It is exactly why Sal takes part in a huge party with his friends in New York. There, the characters consume drugs and alcohol. From the beginning of the masterpiece to the end of the second quarter, we perfectly understand how friendship is crucial for the close-knit group. They travel, party, laugh, and enjoy life together. 

American diner

In the second part of On the Road, Sal, Dean, Marylou, and Ed Dunkel decide to hit the road again. They are more than ready for a ton of stunning adventures. They definitely had caught the travel bug after their first escapade in the West. During their road trip, the gang stops in a typical american diner because they were tremendously hungry. As they were talking, the owner of the restaurant heard them saying they were running out of money. The man offers them a free meal and, in exchange, the vagabonds have to clean the dishes. This scene is extremely eye-opening on the encrusted values in the 1940s. The feeling of community and mutual aid were very encouraged. This heartwarming scene splendidly represents the spirit of On the Road, a book that features deeply human individuals. 

                                           

Link to another piece of art (Daph)

During my reading of the second quarter of the book, I started thinking about the movie ``Wild`` produced by Jean-Marc Vallée. This movie is actually based on a book. Both of these stories have a few elements in common that couldn't help but notice. First of all, both of the main characters go on an adventure whit practically nothing. They only have the basics and a few dollors but that is it. They both meet new people whil traveling. Finally, both of their journeys are full of suprises which made of their adventure a bumpy road that became a beautiful learning and enriching experience.