Quotes With Meaning
It’s a sort of furtiveness … Like we were a generation of furtive. You know, with an inner knowledge there’s no use flaunting on that level, the level of the ‘public’, a kind of beatness – I mean, being right down to it, to ourselves, because we all really know where we are – and a weariness with all the forms, all the conventions of the world … It’s something like that. So I guess you might say we’re a beat generation.
It’s a sort of furtiveness … Like we were a generation of furtive. You know, with an inner knowledge there’s no use flaunting on that level, the level of the ‘public’, a kind of beatness – I mean, being right down to it, to ourselves, because we all really know where we are – and a weariness with all the forms, all the conventions of the world … It’s something like that. So I guess you might say we’re a beat generation.
The quote reflects a collective sense of awareness among a generation that feels a need to hide their true selves from the public eye. This 'furtiveness' suggests that while individuals understand their place in the world, they also experience a tiredness with societal expectations and norms. Kerouac suggests that this generation possesses an inner truth that they choose not to display openly, indicating a desire for authenticity amidst a facade. The reference to being part of the 'beat generation' highlights a yearning for freedom and genuine expression, even when faced with societal pressures. Ultimately, this mindset reveals the struggle between personal identity and public perception, urging individuals to seek deeper meaning in their lives beyond conventional boundaries.