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Quiz about Lonesome Traveler The Life of Jack Kerouac

Lonesome Traveler - The Life of Jack Kerouac Quiz

When the Beat Generation swept across the United States in post-World War II, Jack Kerouac became the embodiment of this movement. How well do you know the father of this entire generation?

A multiple-choice quiz by SGTShaw. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
SGTShaw

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
376,451

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
152

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. As a young boy, Jack Kerouac (born Jean-Louis Lebris de K�rouac) idolized his older brother G�rard. However, G�rard died at the age of nine...from what? Hint

Leukemia

Rheumatic Fever

Tuberculosis

Muscular Dystrophy

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Jack had his first Sacrament of Confession at the age of six in 1928. As he said a rosary, he reported that God spoke to him, telling him what? Hint

He would be forgiven for his sins

He would die in pain and horror

He would go to Hell

His brother G�rard was watching over him

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Jack Kerouac's best known novel, "On the Road" was originally poorly received.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was unusual about Jack's writing style? Hint

He used various types of diction

He wrote every single novel with pencil

His syntax didn't follow the accepted norms

He used long rolls of paper

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Let's go back to Jack's youth. What language did he speak while growing up? Hint

German

French

Italian

Spanish

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these is not a Kerouac novel? Hint

The Grapes of Wrath

Big Sur

The Dharma Bums

Desolation Angels

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. In 2008, a novel written by Jack and his friend Willian S. Burroughs was published 63 years after it was written in 1945. Can you complete the title?

"And the ______ Were Boiled in Their Tanks"

Answer: (Animal known for being large and round (plural))

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. In 1964, tragedy hit the Kerouac family. What happened? Hint

G�rard Kerouac's grave was desecrated

Jack's sister Caroline died

Jack was diagnosed with lymphoma

Gabrielle Kerouac suffered a paralyzing stroke

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. On the morning of October 20th, 1969, Jack Kerouac he felt sick and threw up blood in his bathroom. Jack then died the next morning during surgery. What was the official cause of death? Hint

Untreated stab wound

Burst appendix

Aortic aneurysm

Cirrhosis of the liver

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Gabrielle Kerouac, Jack's mother, died several years after him. Her will was granted Stella Kerouac, Jack's wife, the rights to his works. However, a study in 2009 proved what? Hint

The text was altered

Gabrielle never had a will

The will was crafted by an unknown third party

Gabrielle's signature was forged

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. As a young boy, Jack Kerouac (born Jean-Louis Lebris de K�rouac) idolized his older brother G�rard. However, G�rard died at the age of nine...from what?

Answer: Rheumatic Fever

Jack was heavily impacted by his brother's premature death. It is reported that G�rard, while on his death bed, had visions of the Virgin Mary, and was considered a saint by local nuns. Jack later mentioned his brother in the novel "Visions of Gerard".

2. Jack had his first Sacrament of Confession at the age of six in 1928. As he said a rosary, he reported that God spoke to him, telling him what?

Answer: He would die in pain and horror

In addition, Jack stated that God said he had a good soul and would reach salvation. This experience helped mold his writing style, combined with his love for Christ. A long study of Buddhism was also a contributing factor.

3. Jack Kerouac's best known novel, "On the Road" was originally poorly received.

Answer: False

"On the Road", which took him three weeks to write (but years to publish) was an instant success, and propelled him to stardom. From then on he became a major literary figure, and the voice of the Beat Generation.

4. What was unusual about Jack's writing style?

Answer: He used long rolls of paper

While it's true he wrote some of his work in pencil, Jack used ten-foot long rolls of teletype paper while typing. He stated in an interview that this helped him write, as he wrote very fast (finishing "On the Road" in three weeks). After this, he would tape multiple rolls together.

The so-called "original scroll" of "On the Road" reached 120 feet long, and was put on display in Lowell, Massachusetts for the 50th anniversary of its publication.

5. Let's go back to Jack's youth. What language did he speak while growing up?

Answer: French

Jack's parents were French-Canadian, so Jack grew up speaking the language in Lowell, Massachusetts. He learned English as a grew older, carefully grasping the language. However, he wasn't comfortable speaking it until he was in his later teen years. Prior to this, he only spoke it when he needed to.

6. Which of these is not a Kerouac novel?

Answer: The Grapes of Wrath

"The Grapes of Wrath" is a novel by John Steinbeck, also a literary icon. The three other novels were published in the order; "The Dharma Bums"(1958), "Big Sur" (1962), and "Desolation Angels"(1965).

7. In 2008, a novel written by Jack and his friend Willian S. Burroughs was published 63 years after it was written in 1945. Can you complete the title? "And the ______ Were Boiled in Their Tanks"

Answer: Hippos

"And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks" remains the last posthumously published work by Jack Kerouac. Due to this, some consider it the last novel. However, since it was written in 1945, this is not the case. His last novel was "Vanity of Duluoz", published in 1968.

8. In 1964, tragedy hit the Kerouac family. What happened?

Answer: Jack's sister Caroline died

Caroline Kerouac died of a heart attack in September of 1964, leaving the family in tears. The exact cause of the heart attack is unknown, but Jack stated that the attack was probably the result of "a broken heart".

9. On the morning of October 20th, 1969, Jack Kerouac he felt sick and threw up blood in his bathroom. Jack then died the next morning during surgery. What was the official cause of death?

Answer: Cirrhosis of the liver

Jack had been a heavy drinker all his life, which severely damaged his liver. His wife Stella persuaded him to go to the hospital, where he went under immediate surgery. His drinking habit harmed his liver so much that his blood would not clot, resulting in continuous bleeding in his stomach.

He died on October 21st, 1969, at 5:15 in the morning, from cirrhosis of the liver, as well as complications from a recent bar fight, and an untreated hernia.

10. Gabrielle Kerouac, Jack's mother, died several years after him. Her will was granted Stella Kerouac, Jack's wife, the rights to his works. However, a study in 2009 proved what?

Answer: Gabrielle's signature was forged

In 2009, a study proved that Gabrielle Kerouac would have been physically unable to sign her name on the will, as she had suffered a paralyzing stroke years before. However, no action could be taken against Stella Kerouac, as she had died more than ten years prior.

Source: Author SGTShaw

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