Essay #3 History

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1865

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History

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Jan 9, 2024

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Essay #3 Carson Sanner 850594787 US History 1865-Present Fall 2023 November 8 th , 2023 Professor Glen Anthony Harris Prompt: Discuss the similarities and dissimilarities, failures, and accomplishments, in outlook and agenda between Norman Podhoretz “Know - Nothing Bohemians” and Jack Kerouac’s depiction of American society in The Dharma Bums .

Norman Podhoretz is the author of “Know - Nothing Bohemians” which is a text published in 1958 . While “Dharma Bums” is a text by Jack Kerouac which was published in the same year as “Know -Nothing Bohemians .” In examining both “Know -Nothin g Bohemians” and Jack Kerouac’s portrayal of American society in “Dharma Bums,” this essay aims to reveal the similarities and dissimilarities, failures, and accomplishments in their respective outlooks and agendas. While both authors critique the conformity of post- World War II America culture, Podhoretz ’s view reveals a concern with intellectual conformity while Kerouac focuses more on materialism. This article aims to highlight the complex aspects of countercultural thinking in the middle of the 20th century by examining their contributions and criticisms, recognizing the commonalities and differences that influenced their individual stories. Podhoretz and Kerouac have many similarities in their respective narratives. Both texts critique the conformity and materialism that was relevant to post World War II culture. For example, Podhoretz says “To the extent that it has intellectual interests at all, they run to mystical doctrines, irrationalist philosophies, and left-wing Reichianism. 1 Both authors also explore alternative and non-traditional lifestyle as a response to what they perceive as the shortcomings of mainstream American culture. For example, of this not non-traditional lifestyle Kerouac says, “The closer you get to the real matter, rock air fire, and wood, boy, the more spiritual the world is.” 2 Finally, both authors shared a desire for authenticity where Podhoretz criticizes the Bohemian lifestyle when it becomes a mere fashion statement and Kerouac seeks authenticity 1 Norman Podhoretz, “The Know - Nothing Bohemians,” in Routledge eBooks , 2017, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315125503-28. 2 Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums , 1958, http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BB17088029.

through their exploration of nature, spiritually, and a rejection of conventional societal expectations. While Podhoretz and Kerouac had similarities in their narratives, there were differences in them too. Podhoretz saw the Bohemian rejection of societal norms as a potential intellectual conformity, which suggests that even counterculture can become a form of rigid thinking. While Kerouac embraces a non-conformity stance which advocates for rejection of societal norms in favor of a more spiritually and individualistic lifestyle. There are also dissimilarities with spiritualism vs. Intellect ualism in these two texts. ‘The Dharma Bums’ emphasized the spirituality and as a means of escape from the materialistic aspect of American society post World War II. With Kerouac saying, “ I do not want to hear all your word descriptions of words words words you made up all winter, man I want to be enlightened by actions.” 3 ‘Know -Nothing Bohemians’ focuses more on intellectual pursuits and the p otential fall of intellectual conformity within the lifestyle of the Bohemians. Notable works like "The Dharma Bums" and "Know-Nothing Bohemians" both examine and reflect the intellectual and cultural currents of their own eras. As a key work of the Beat Generation, Kerouac's novel had an impact on the countercultural movements of the 1950s and 1960s. Podhoretz's essay offers a critical viewpoint on Bohemian intellectualism and adds to the current discussion regarding the nature of revolt and conformity. These books are still useful for comprehending the complexation of American culture at a pivotal time in its history. With these controversial narratives come many failures and accomplishments that emerge after time. The failures looked upon of ‘Know - Nothing Bohemians’ is that Podhoretz 3 Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums , 1958, http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BB17088029.

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overgeneralized the Bohemian way of life and neglected the diversity of thought and practices within the counterculture. Some accomplishments of the text were that ‘Know -Nothing Bohemians’ sparked a debate about the nature of rebellion and the counterculture. Its ideas forced readers to really dive into the complex Bohemian lifestyle and its impact on intellectual pursuits. In conclusion, "Know-Nothing Bohemians" is nonetheless a provocative addition to the intellectual discourse of its day, despite criticism for its generalizations and lack of understatement. While Podhoretz's flaws include oversimplification and a narrow view of the characteristics of Bohemian intellectualism, his successes come in challenging readers to evaluate the counterculture and its dangers. The accomplishments of ‘The Dharma Bums’ was mainly that it introduced eastern philosophy, particularly Zen Buddhism. It also had an impact on the counterculture movements of the 1950s and 1960s. It inspired a generation to question society to seek alternative, more authentic ways of living. Some of the failures that occurred because of the text was that he oversimplified complex concepts and was also criticized for the portrayal of women in the text. In conclusion, "The Dharma Bums" has its critics but is also praised for its examination of spirituality and its role in the countercultural movement. While Kerouac is credited with establishing the Beat Generation ethos and popularizing Eastern philosophy in the West, he has also been accused of cultural appropriation, romanticization, and a lack of depth in his portrayal of some issues. In conclusion, both texts have similarities and differences in their conformity of post-World War II. No matter their similarities and differences they both created counterculture movement in the 1950s and 1960s. References

• Kerouac, Jack. The Dharma Bums , 1958. http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BB17088029 . • Podhoretz, Norman. “The Know - Nothing Bohemians.” In Routledge eBooks , 2017. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315125503-28 .

Essay #3 History

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