Jazz In Terms Of A Beatnik's Words

Ashley Barna
Literature of the Beat Generation
Kevin Kilroy
7 October 2010 Jazz in Terms of a Beatnik’s Words

Jazz poetry can be defined as poetry that "demonstrates jazz-like rhythm or the feel of improvisation”. As members of the Beat generation began to embrace aspects of African-American culture, the art of jazz poetry shifted its focus from racial pride and individuality to impulsiveness, spontaneity, and freedom, which are all themes in The Subterraneans written by Jack Kerouac. In this case, both jazz poetry and jazz music were seen as influential statements against the status quo, which encompass the cultural phenomenon that is beatnik culture.
After reading Jack Kerouac’s The Subterraneans, which can be described
The book focuses on their strained relationship and lifestyle which is muddled mix of art, partying, drugs, and music. The relationship from the start immediately seems destined for failure and it is Kerouac’s frenetic and restless pursuit of new sensation and experience in life that is impeccably translated into his writing. When the word jazz comes to mind I instinctively hear the up-tempo, bebop, disorderly tunes that flow unhinged with no break or pattern. Kerouac tells this love story in a sort of maddened free flowing style with lack of punctuation that flows to a jazz like beat. Although jazz music typically does not have words, I feel as if Kerouac’s writing in this book would be perfect lyrics for any song of its kind. He writes with such emotion, truth, and rhythm that I could hear these words being performed by a jazz musician in a shadowy clandestine jazz club in any city. In fact, I find it to be effortless to read when I think of it in terms of a song.
Throughout this novel, as well as any other I have had the pleasure of reading by Kerouac, it is evident that he has such a way with words that he can make any task or thought seem so lyrical.

...the little white woolly particles from the pillow stuffing in her black almost wiry hair, and her puffed cheeks and little puffed
It’s not just the love story and culture that the book centers on, I think that it’s the words as well. Although the whole novel was written in three days I feel as if each page could have taken three days or more to write. While it lacks punctuation and it’s very free-flowing the words in The Subterraneans evoke so much sensation and sound I am not only reading, I am listening.
Not only is The Subterraneans sort of a love story, it might be the truest love story I have ever read. I would never presume Kerouac would write the typical boy meets girl, boy chases girl, boy gets girl and they fall in love type of story, but nevertheless he writes a factual account of what people really endure during a relationship. Leo meets Mardou, is infatuated with her, and thus starts the relationship. Their romance is filled with drama due to his jealousy and insecurities, as well as the personal issues she has herself. The life style they lead consists of culture that might not be the most suitable grounds to establish a budding relationship. Leo and Mardou make immense assertions and promises in the great rush of a new relationship, and then fail each other until the magic that once was gradually diminishes. There is no final scene where Leo shows up with flowers in hand proclaiming to be a changed man while promising a new and satisfying life. It ends with