Term Paper Part 3

Sub-Topic: How technology was used and perceived during the time period and location in which the story was written by Pirsig, and how the author’s experiences influenced the story

                Robert Pirsig’s novel was published in the United States during the early 1970s. In the decades leading up to the publication of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, there was a large amount of disagreement regarding the integration of technology into society. The debate that the narrator has against John and Sylvia about the embrace of technology can be viewed as a representation of the greater issue that was present in society at the time.

                One of the most notable progressions in the field of technology during this decade was that of automobiles. Automobiles improved significantly during this time period, so the great presence of motorcycles in the novel may have some correlation with what was simultaneously happening in society. During the 1970s, also, the gap between technology and business began to merge, thus creating a new dynamic; technology now had a new purpose in society. “The decades of 1950s and 1960s saw frequent face-offs between those who supported technological development and those who were opposed to it. However, it was the '70s decade that witnessed the convergence of technology and commerce.” With the exploration of new purposes for technology came new perceptions and opinions regarding its presence in society.

                The varying opinions of technology have made their way into the story in the form of the narrator and Phaedrus. The narrator represents the pro-technological side, while Phaedrus is opposed to it. It becomes clear very early on in the novel that the narrator deeply enjoys maintaining his motorcycle, as it gives him both a sense of power and a leisurely activity. Oppositely, the character of Phaedrus is far more philosophically-based, as he seems to care less about the mechanics and details of things, and more about the overall picture. The central characters of the novel seem to be microcosms for the division of society in terms of their feelings regarding technology.

                Not only did the varying opinions of technology in the real world influence Pirsig’s writing, but his own experiences did as well. One factor that likely contributed to the topic of the novel is the fact that Robert Pirsig’s job consisted of writing computer manuals. This very experience explains the fascination that the narrator has with the technical and mechanical aspects of technology. In addition, the premise of the narrator’s road trip with Chris is based on the author’s life. He also went on a motorcycle trip with his son prior to writing Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. The novel is said to be autobiographical, and the similarities between the narrator and Robert Pirsig are undeniable.

                The narrator and Phaedrus each serve as representations of the two types of individuals of the 1970s, based on their feelings about technology. In addition, the author’s personal experiences have made a clear impact on the topic and ideas presented within the story.