Monday, April 19, 2010
Who is Jack?
One thing that continues to intrigue me is the way that Jack can change his personality based on the people that he is surrounded by. For example when he is driving with the country boys he talks like he is from the south and does shots. When he is with Ginsberg he is an intellectual and a poet. If I were to meet Jack what would he be like? I think that who ever reads this book will know Jack better than any of his friends knew him.
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Do you think Jack would want to get to know us? It seems he only really wants to communicate with the "mad" ones, or the ones that he and Neal think will "give them their kicks."
Is anybody else frustrated by Neal's flagrant disregard for people being actual human beings. He realizes the hobo is nuts, and hollers for the possibility of being entertained! Has he never heard of empathy? They're all struggling similarly to the crazy hobos!
I felt the same way about Neal
I think that this is such a common trait that shows immaturity. Sometimes, while reading this book I wonder how Kerouac can show off all of these bad traits. The writer shows humbleness in his descriptions of himself and his acceptance of flaws, but Jack's character seems oblivious to his own flaws, and I think sometimes has too much pride.
I stated this in class today, but it is relevant, so here it is again. Personalities are not solid state objects, rather than, excuse my possibly excessively technical language for a strange and difficult to explain phenomenon, an observed reaction. The same person, in two completely different situations, is likely to behave as two completely separate people, as their reaction to their environment is not similar. It is common for people to have separate sides they show to separate circles of friends. This is not always intentional, and when it comes naturally, and without being forced, neither side is any more or less genuine than the other.
I am not sure we can accurately gauge how well we know Jack from his novel. Those who are mature enough for genuine, fearless self-inflection, can give, one of the most accurate accounts of themselves. Those who are not, cloud the picture some, but if you read between the right lines, the account of personality is just as accurate. Its just a matter of how you read the material, and which account you pay attention to.
Humans are born for acting!!!! but for real, to get around with so many people he met is a difficult job. sometimes he have to pretend, and also people will have different reactions, maybe he is just having fun with it.
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