The Quest Overwhelmed In Reality

Since the publication of this novel On the Road, many critics have studied it from different angles like thematic studies, stylistic studies, and cultural studies, but not much attention has been paid to archetypal analysis. Moreover, the present author is quite interested in the novel’s mythic factors. Therefore, this thesis, under the theoretical guidance of Frye’s archetypal theory and The Bible, based on text-analysis method, tries to make a systematic and sufficient analysis of the mythological archetypes in On the Road from the aspects of archetypal characters, archetypal structure, plots and symbols and archetypal motifs and to unveil the fact that the protagonists’ quest road for freedom and identity is unsuccessful and is overwhelmed by reality.There are five parts in this thesis, containing the introduction and the conclusion.Chapter one begins with the archetypal analysis of the characters, so as to dig out the archetypes of the protagonists like Dean Moriarty and Sal Paradise. Dean embodies the archetype of Satan and Scapegoat while the archetype of Adam and Odysseus are seen in Sal.Chapter two discusses the archetypal structure, archetypal plots and archetypal symbols. The time sequence, in other words, the coincidence of the narrative with the cycle of the season, turns into an archetypal structure which is hidden in the novel. Sal’s travel experience and quest road correspond to the summer pattern. According to Frye, in the summer phase, “We may call this major adventure, the element that gives literary form to the romance, the quest”(Anatomy of Criticism 187). Dean’s experience corresponds to the autumn pattern. As to the plot, Jack Kerouac resorts to the Biblical mode of conflicts between the virtuous and the evil by means of turning it into the conflicts between Sal, Dean and the society, and the conflicts between idealism and reality. In addition, the primary archetypal symbols of road and home make futher contribution to the archetypal characteristics of the novel.Chapter three analyzes the archetypal motifs of this novel. The quest motif is one of the archetypal motifs that Kerouac adopts. Dean and Sal are just like two heroes who devote themselves to searching for freedom and identity. The other motif is falling. In the post-war America, people’s mind was rigid and lack of individuality, therefore, the Beats want to shake off the yoke and walk on the way of rebellion.The conclusion sums up Jack Kerouac’s use of the archetypes in On the Road. When these archetypes are interpreted in regard to the background of the novel, they compose an integral part of Jack Kerouac’s artistic creation and efficiently convey his purpose.