our strange will – there is enough grace for us all – and more

Kerouac explained what he meant by “beat” at a Brandeis Forum, “Is There A Beat Generation?”, on November 8, 1958, at New York’s Hunter College Playhouse. Panelists for the seminar were Kerouac, James A. Wechsler, Princeton anthropologist Ashley Montagu, and author Kingsley Amis. Wechsler, Montague and Amis all wore suits, while Kerouac was clad in black jeans, ankle boots and a checkered shirt. Reading from a prepared text, Kerouac reflected on his beat beginnings:

It is because I am Beat, that is, I believe in beatitude and that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son to it… Who knows, but that the universe is not one vast sea of compassion actually, the veritable holy honey, beneath all this show of personality and cruelty?^[6]

6. ^ Aronowitz, Al. The Blacklisted Journalist

3 thoughts on “our strange will – there is enough grace for us all – and more”

S. Etole March 12, 2011 at 3:28 pm

pondering that one …

Reply ↓
Maureen March 12, 2011 at 3:09 pm

Had you not prefaced that quote, I don't think I ever would have attributed it to Kerouac. Fascinating.

Reply ↓
B. Meandering March 12, 2011 at 2:30 pm

Interesting observation—one that the mind and spirit has to ponder awhile.

Reply ↓