The Adventurous Education of Duluoz: Jack Kerouac’s Vanity of Duluoz in the Light of Michael Foucault’s Theories

Abstract

Vanity of Duluoz (1968) is a semi-autobiographical novel by Jack Kerouac that follows the life of Jack Duluoz, a persona representing Kerouac himself. The novel explores various aspects of Kerouac’s life, particularly his experiences during World War II while serving in the naval forces. This study examines the novel through the lens of Foucault’s political philosophy, analyzing themes of power, power relations, institutions, and surveillance. The novel portrays a sense of abnormality, difference, and resistance during a period when the American government sought to enforce homogeneity in both domestic and foreign policy. Kerouac illustrates how individuals contribute to governmental control, leading to a form of "open-air imprisonment" within society. He also critiques institutions such as sports teams and academic organizations, likening them to familial structures that overlap with other regulatory systems, including prisons. As Kerouac’s final published novel, Vanity of Duluoz serves as a culmination of his literary work, reflecting on the societal forces that impose norms and shape individual identity.