The Dharma Bums 72-94

The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 90

" Come on Ray, everything comes to an end." In fact I realized I had no guts anyway, which I've long known. But I have joy. When we got to the alpine meadow I stretched out in my belly and drank water and enjoyed myself peacefully in silence while they talked and worrieed about getting down the rest of the trail in time."

In this particular scene, even though they all disagree with routine and deadlines in society, it seems that in particular cases they all turn towards the concept of schedualing. Japhy and Morley are racing to get to the car on time, while it seems that Ray is making the most of time and enjoying the hike peacefully and in solitude. However, although they spent there trip trying to get away from society, it looks as though they race to get back to society. They seem to not realize that they are rushing to get back to the one thing that they despise.



The Dharma Bums, Jack Keouac
Pg. 92

" Poor Japhy, it was here finally I found out his Achilles heel. This little tough guy who wasn't afraid of anything and could ramble around mountains for weeks alone and run down mountains, was afraid of going into a restauraunt because the people in it were too well dressed."

Japhy, who is very athletic and is extremely dedicated to his religous practices seems to have a weakness. Although he does not care about society, it seems as though he still fears being judged by society. In this particular quote, he fears going into the restauraunt because of how the other people dressed compared to what he looks like. Japhy, like everyone else, has a weakness that may bring him down from his targeted objective in life. Japhy fears being crticized and judged at for who he is. So in some cases, people who try to avoid society end up still trying to look good in their eyes. These people still try to be accepted in society rather then trying to neglect society, which in this case is a complicated paradox. Japhy who has always been against society still feels the worry of being criticized for who he is.