Liminality and 'Communitas' in the Beat Generation

This book analyzes the literature and lifestyles of the Beat Generation based on Victor Turner's anthropological studies. Signs of liminality and «communitas» appear in works by Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, and Allen Ginsberg. The Beats formed anti-structure in their liminal stage and recorded this in their liminoid literature.

The Beat Generation questioned mid-twentieth century America and sought the margins of society. This book analyzes the literature and lifestyles of the Beat authors Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, and Allen Ginsberg in regard to Victor Turner's anthropological studies. The Beats separated from society by willingly entering the rites of passage. Liminal symbolism is apparent in their literature such as in movement, time, space, pilgrimages, and monstrosities. In their liminal stage, they established «communitas» and developed anti-structure. They questioned society and made proposals to change it in their liminoid literature. The Beats shared similarities with previous countercultures, and they influenced the following Hippie Generation.

Autorentext

Aaron Christopher Mitchell teaches English language and American cultural studies courses at the University of Vechta. His interests lie in German and American literature and culture.

Inhalt

Discovering the Liminal Beat Generation and its «Communitas» Anthropology and the Beat Generation Liminality and the Beat Generation «Communitas» and the Beat Generation Liminality and «Communitas» in Jack Kerouac's Pilgrimages Countercultures and the Beat Generation