“Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry.” (Megane)
Kill your darlings. This saying goes against everything that can be read in On the Road. Or does it? Assembling a thousand and one different literary devices, Kerouac sometimes used superfluous words and ideas; albeit it could be argued that the poet surely reflected about every detail and infused each word with deep meaning and connotation. Yet, where does this spontaneous and nonetheless fathomless poetry and writing style, lifestyle even, comes from? It's possible to get a glimpse of young Jack Kerouac in the nostalgic for the '40s movie: Kill Your Darlings; a story about the academic years of Allen Ginsberg, Lucien Carr, William Burrough and Jack Kerouac. It retells how Ginsberg and his friends, Jack included, were involved in a murder affair, moreover the origins of the Beat generation. The past of the author of On the Road just as his present were highly influential in the creation of the book, therefore it is very interesting to see the spirit of his youth. All along part 3 of the novel, a wild magnetic craving for life, first times, revolution, is present. That mood is also showcased in the movie. As Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan) says: "Excellent. I love first times. I want my whole life to be composed of them. Life is only interesting if life is wide." Isn't that a very Kerouac, On the Road-ish thing to say?
Teaser for the movie Kill Your Darlings
A story in images (Daphnée)
This is a photo of Denver. I think Denver is an important city in the book because Dean has an important reflection there. He thinks about how the white world is not enough for him and he wishes he was a black man or just a man from another ethnicity. ``...., feeling that the best the white world had offered was not enough for me, not enough life, joy, kicks, darkness, music, not enough night. `` (p. 180)
I chose this photo, to represent the moment when Dean got the car in the prairie and they had to get the help of a farmer. They got to his house for a little bit after they got the car.
Songs that represent the third part (Xavier)
Ornithology by Miles Davis
Ornithology by Miles Davis, a captivating jazz style music, fabulously represents the atmosphere in the third quarter of On the Road. In this part of the book, Sal, Dean, and other friends spend a lot of time enjoying the relaxed atmosphere in a few jazz clubs. Jazz is clearly their favorite musical genre and it is present more than ever in part three. Ornithology is exactly the kind of musical background and mood we imagine when the gang hit jazz bars. Jazz is even more than music for them, it is an attitude to life and it leads them in their quest for spiritual satisfaction.
Ornithology by Miles Davis
Something Wonderful byFakear
The vibrant and inspiring song Something Wonderful by Fakear perfectly matches the third part of On the Road in many aspects. '' Trust in me, live it all, make it golden '' are lyrics at the beginning of the song. It clearly represents the relationship between Dean and Sal. The two friends have blind trust in each other and are extremely close. Then, the song says, '' Why shouldn't we run over these steps and rise? Cause you got, you got nothing to lose''. There is a strong link to be established between those lyrics and Sal and Dean deciding they want to visit Italy. Visiting the boot is their main motivation in the third quarter. After all, if they want to go there it is because they have nothing to lose. They simply want to live exhilarating experiences. Not having many responsibilities makes them ready for anything. After, Fakear says, '' There'll be ups and downs, highs and lows/ In the darkest fire, you'll make it snow ''. Those verses make us remember that the reality is not all rosy for the characters of On the Road even if enjoying life is their sacred philosophy. For example, Dean gets rejected by Camille after a vivid fight with her. During this time, Sal witnessed the scene. It was a terrible moment for Dean. They all have their share of difficulties.
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