Jack Kerouac: The King of Beat

Jack Kerouac did not consider himself a leader; in fact, if he were called by that title today, there is little doubt that he would protest violently to categorizing himself in such a way - because Kerouac believed that leaders, along with organized government, destroy the individual rights and abilities of those they lead. Without a doubt, Jack Kerouac would have no objection to the title of "rebel" or "rude individual." He supported rebellion against the machine of the government (which his compatriot Allen Ginsberg labeled "Moloch," in a powerful statement within his long poem Howl), but the rebellion of the Beat Generation was a rebellion of ideas and artistry, rather than one of violence.

Kerouac was, without a doubt, a counter-culture figure, but generally not a violent one. Violence was displayed countless times towards Jack and his fellow rebels, but their fierce responses came in the form of powerful words, laced with bloody imagery and heart-felt anger. Speaking out against the government, the upper class, and all those who held power over individuals and stifled creativity and uniqueness became Jack's life.

In his youth, he was a track star - a powerful athlete. He began to speak English at the age of six, replacing his native tongue, French. His athletic prowess earned him a scholarship to attend Columbia University, and he did so. He wrote for the school newspaper, but did little else of value, in his eyes. During his time at Columbia, Jack ran into trouble with the law, along with his new acquaintance William Burroughs, because they failed to report a murder committed by a mutual friend named Lucius Carr. The two writers took their experiences in this situation and collaborated to write a book, called And The Hippos were Boiled in Their Tanks, but it was never published, save a short excerpt present in one of Burroughs' later compilations.