Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Dharma Bums, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Enlightenment and Nature
Counterculture and Freedom
Friendship
Literature and Authenticity
Inclusion, Exclusion, and Community
Summary
Analysis
In the sleepy town of Bridgeport, Henry tries to buy a sleeping bag while Japhy and Ray chat with an American Indian hitchhiker outside. Eventually, Henry gives up, and the guys decide to rent blankets from a nearby lake lodge instead. The last stretch of the road to Mount Matterhorn is being repaired, so the guys park early. Before they set off, Japhy draws a circular Buddhist mandala figure in the dirt, which will protect the group and help him foretell the future. Ray dons his beret and sneakers, Japhy his cap and hiking boots. Ray fantasizes about Japhy hiking alone in the same outfit, looking masculine in the rugged wilderness.
Once they finally get to the trailhead, Japhy’s mandala marks the true beginning of their journey up the mountain. It represents his deep, seemingly mystical knowledge of both Buddhism and the wilderness. It’s also a promise of protection, which reflects the deep trust that Ray puts in Japhy during their hike: Ray will be totally dependent on Japhy’s knowledge and expertise in order to successfully summit the mountain. Ray’s fantasies about Japhy reflect the way he idolizes this expertise and turns Japhy into an ideal model of masculinity, which he hopes to emulate.
Themes
As the men set off, Ray comments that this hike is a much better way to spend a Saturday morning than getting drunk in San Francisco—but Japhy quips that it’s wrong to compare experiences because all of life is “the same old void.” Ray realizes that Japhy is right and thanks him for showing the alternatives to civilization. They pass the men repairing the road and then, a few miles later, buy snacks at the log-cabin lodge at the beginning of the trailhead.
Ray’s comment reflects his changing priorities. He now recognizes that, as Japhy promised, people can gain more happiness and spiritual insight from spending time in nature than they can in the city. Nevertheless, Japhy’s response reframes the situation in terms of Buddhism and reminds Ray of their ultimate goal: understanding the “void” of the universe in order to become enlightened.
Themes
Suddenly, Henry freaks out and makes up a story about needing to drain his car’s crankcase (part of the engine) so that the cold won’t ruin it. He starts going back and promises to meet Ray and Japhy at their bonfire that night. Ray tries to talk him out of it, but Henry heads back toward his car.
While Ray starts having an epiphany about nature and civilization, Henry interrupts with an abrupt concern and then disappears. It's unclear if Henry is trying to get away from Ray and Japhy, or if he’s genuinely worried about his car. If the latter is the case, this would again show that, while Ray and Japhy feel free because they’ve chosen to bring few things and live simply, Henry is weighed down by his physical possessions.
Themes
With Henry gone, Ray and Japhy have a much more interesting conversation on their way up the mountain. Ray admires how comfortable Japhy seems in nature—he even repairs the trail on the way, since that used to be one of his jobs. As Ray and Japhy look out on an enormous lake, they start coming up with haikus. Ray has trouble, but Japhy tries to help by naming different flowers and trees. Later, they come to a stream, where they drink and rest for awhile.
Henry’s departure confirms that he primarily served to distract Ray and Japhy from their real goal (finding peace and meaning in nature). Again, this illustrates the contrast between Henry’s empty companionship and Japhy’s meaningful friendship. When Ray and Japhy compose poetry about nature, they’re are attempting to capture and give form to the beauty they observe, which reflects their broader belief about what literature is for: authentically expressing one’s experiences.
Themes
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