The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test written by Tom Wolfe shows the effects LSD or Acid had on the development, structure, and functioning of American society in the 1960’s. Wolfe does this in a very interesting way. He portrays the story through a journalistic research, yet fictional style of writing. He also goes between plot, poetry, flashbacks, and even changes in point of view throughout the book. This is seen as a major strength in the portrayal of the story. The three major sociological themes within the book are the following; counter-cultures, religion, and intersubjectivity. The book follows Ken Kesey, the author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and his followers that called themselves the “Merry Pranksters.” Wolfe depicts their
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A counter-culture refers to “a culture with values and morals that run counter to those of established society” (Webster). Within the book Wolfe shows a direct correlation between two different counter-cultural movements. Those being the “Beat Generation” which was mostly an underground movement, as well as the movement made by the Pranksters that focused mostly on transcendental experiences. The character Neal Cassady, who was the driver of the Further, was also an inspiration for one of the main characters in Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. Kerouac is seen as a symbol of the Beat Generation. (Beat Museum). When Kesey and Cassidy are in New York, a party happened to introduce Kesey and Kerouac. Meeting did not go well. This is seen as direct correlation between the two …show more content…
Kesey is portrayed almost as a religious figure. The Pranksters are even compared to disciples. Their job consisting of spreading the word about psychedelic drugs. At one point Kesey and the Pranksters attend a gathering at a Unitarian Church at a camp in California. This is where Kesey divides the camp into two groups. The groups being those who are for him and those who are against him. Kesey is then described as a prophet. “Paul Sawyer looked at Kesey….and he saw a prophetic figure. He had not taught or preached. Rather, he had created…an experience, an awareness that flashed deeper than celebration” (Wolfe, pg. 103). The Acid Tests themselves can be linked to any other religious worship service. The goal of these “worship services” being intersubjectivity. Intersubjectivity is defined as “existing between conscious minds; shared by more than one conscious mind” (Webster). More simply this is basically a state where a user of LSD can take on the mind of another person or object, while that person or object takes on the mind of the user. This state is described as a “transcendental state” (U.S History). The Pranksters attempt to throw out their individuality in attempt to gain a group mind set in which they can all know each others thoughts and
A counter-culture refers to “a culture with values and morals that run counter to those of established society” (Webster). Within the book Wolfe shows a direct correlation between two different counter-cultural movements. Those being the “Beat Generation” which was mostly an underground movement, as well as the movement made by the Pranksters that focused mostly on transcendental experiences. The character Neal Cassady, who was the driver of the Further, was also an inspiration for one of the main characters in Jack Kerouac’s On the Road. Kerouac is seen as a symbol of the Beat Generation. (Beat Museum). When Kesey and Cassidy are in New York, a party happened to introduce Kesey and Kerouac. Meeting did not go well. This is seen as direct correlation between the two …show more content…
Kesey is portrayed almost as a religious figure. The Pranksters are even compared to disciples. Their job consisting of spreading the word about psychedelic drugs. At one point Kesey and the Pranksters attend a gathering at a Unitarian Church at a camp in California. This is where Kesey divides the camp into two groups. The groups being those who are for him and those who are against him. Kesey is then described as a prophet. “Paul Sawyer looked at Kesey….and he saw a prophetic figure. He had not taught or preached. Rather, he had created…an experience, an awareness that flashed deeper than celebration” (Wolfe, pg. 103). The Acid Tests themselves can be linked to any other religious worship service. The goal of these “worship services” being intersubjectivity. Intersubjectivity is defined as “existing between conscious minds; shared by more than one conscious mind” (Webster). More simply this is basically a state where a user of LSD can take on the mind of another person or object, while that person or object takes on the mind of the user. This state is described as a “transcendental state” (U.S History). The Pranksters attempt to throw out their individuality in attempt to gain a group mind set in which they can all know each others thoughts and