Motif of the way in the novels by Jack Kerouac

The article deals with the analysis of the motif structure in the novels by Jack Kerouac “The Dharma Bums” and “Big Sur”. The aim of the study is to distinguish multiple plot variants of the plot-forming motif of the way based on Igor Silantiev’s probabilistic approach to the motif semantics. Referring to the works of Russian and foreign researchers, the author examines the concept of motif within the historical, dichotomous, semantic, morphological and other frameworks. The novelty of the study lies in the first attempt to thoroughly analyze the motif structure of novels by J. Kerouac, the plot-forming motif of the way, namely variant semes (the motif of ascent, the motif of fall, etc.). The spatial polarity inherent in many of Kerouac’s novels is identified. The topos of the city manifests itself in the images of San Francisco and Denver, while the topos of nature is expressed in the images of Matterhorn Mountain and Big Sur. The intermediality of the novel “Big Sur” is first revealed through the intertextual correlation with the song “Terence’s Farewell to Kathleen” by John McCormack. The article drives forward a suggestion that the motif of the way as a structural basis of the novels by Jack Kerouac is the semantic core of the author’s spiritual philosophy. The results of the study allowed the author to trace the connection between the plot structure of the novels and the spiritual philosophy of J. Kerouac as one of the creators and ideologues of Beat Generation literature.