“Japhy,' I said out loud, 'I don't know when we'll meet again or what'll happen in the future, but Desolation, Desolation, I owe so much to Desolation, thank you forever for guiding me to the place where I learned it all. Now comes the sadness of coming back to cities and I've grown two months older and there's all that humanity of bars and burlesque shows and gritty love, all upsidedown in the void God bless them, but Japhy you and me forever we know, O ever youthful, O ever weeping.' Down on the lake rosy reflections of celestial vapor appeared, and I said 'God I love you' and looked up to the sky and really meant it. 'I have fallen in love with you, God. Take care of us all, one way or the other.'To the children and the innocent it's all the same.And in keeping with Japhy's habit of always getting down on one knee and delivering a little prayer to the camp we left, to the one in the Sierra, and the others in Marin, and the little prayer of gratitude he had delivered to Sean's shack the day he sailed away, as I was hiking down the mountain with my pack I turned and knelt on the trail and said 'Thank you, shack.' Then I hadded 'Blah,' with a little grin, because I knew that shack and that mountain would understand what that meant, and turned and went on down the trail back to this world.”
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Quote Analysis
In this poignant passage from Jack Kerouac's novel, the speaker expresses deep gratitude and introspection towards nature, spirituality, and the transient nature of life. The speaker reflects on the impact of their time in the wilderness, with a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the lessons learned. The mention of Desolation as a guide symbolizes the transformative power of solitude and self-discovery. The speaker's prayer to God and acknowledgment of their love for the divine highlights a sense of connection and humility in the face of the vast unknown. The act of gratitude towards the "shack" and the mountain signifies a recognition of the lessons learned from nature and the simple joys found in solitude and reflection. It conveys a sense of acceptance and peace in returning to the complexities of urban life, while carrying with them the wisdom and serenity gained in the wilderness.
Relevance in Embracing Nature and Gratitude
In this passage from Jack Kerouac's novel "The Dharma Bums," the protagonist expresses gratitude for the lessons learned in the wilderness and the connection to the divine. The themes of embracing nature, gratitude, and spiritual connection remain relevant in today's world, as we are constantly seeking ways to reconnect with ourselves and the world around us. Kerouac's words remind us of the importance of appreciating the beauty of the natural world and finding solace in moments of reflection and gratitude.
Jack Kerouac's Reflection on Nature and Gratitude
In this passage from Jack Kerouac's novel, the protagonist expresses gratitude for the lessons learned in nature and the sense of connection with the divine. The spiritual journey and appreciation for the natural world are evident in the character's words and actions.
Reflection Questions:
After reading this passage from Jack Kerouac's novel, "Desolation Angels," take some time to reflect on the themes of gratitude, spirituality, and connection to nature present in the text. Consider the following questions:
- How does the protagonist's expression of gratitude towards nature and God resonate with your own experiences of awe and appreciation for the natural world?
- In what ways do you find yourself connecting to the idea of seeking solace and guidance in nature, as portrayed in this passage?
- Reflect on the concept of spiritual connection and its impact on personal growth, as depicted in the text. How does this resonate with your own beliefs or experiences?
- How does the protagonist's farewell to the mountain and the shack symbolize closure and gratitude for past experiences? How do you approach expressing gratitude for past moments or places in your own life?
Take some time to ponder these questions and consider how the themes presented in this passage might influence your own perspectives on gratitude, spirituality, and connection with the natural world.
Similar quotes
“Down on the lake rosy reflections of celestial vapor appeared, and I said, "God, I love you" and looked to the sky and really meant it. "I have fallen in love with you, God. Take care of us all, one way or the other." To the children and the innocent it's all the same.”
“The world ain't so bad, when you got Japhies, I thought, and felt glad. All the aching muscles and the hunger in my belly were bad enough, and the surroundant dark rocks, the fact that there is nothing to soothe you with kisses and soft words, but just to be sitting there meditating and praying for the world with another earnest young man -- 'twere good enough to have been born just to die, as we all are. Something will come of it in the Milky Ways of eternity stretching in front of all our phantom unjaundiced eyes, friends. I felt like telling Japhy everything I thought but I knew it didn't matter and moreover he knew it anyway and silence is the golden mountain.”
“Dammit, that yodel of triumph of yours was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard in my life. I wish I had a tape recorder to take it down."Those things aren't made to be heard by the people down below," says Japhy, dead serious.”
“Ah Japhy you taught me the final lesson of them all, you can't fall off a mountain.”
“What do you want out of life?" I asked, and I used to ask that all the time of girls.I don't know," she said. "Just wait on tables and try to get along." She yawned. I put my hand over her mouth and told her not to yawn. I tried to tell her how excited I was about life and the things we could do together; saying that, and planning to leave Denver in two days. She turned away wearily. We lay on our backs, looking at the ceiling and wondering what God had wrought when He made life so sad.”
“I felt like telling Japhy everything I thought but I knew it didn't matter and moreover he knew it anyway and silence is the golden mountain.”