Book Talk #1: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is the fictionalized autobiography of author Robert M. Pirsig and his alter-ego narrator “Phaedrus” published in 1974. The book chronicles a motorcycle trip from Minnesota to Northern California taken by the author and his son, Chris. The trip is broken up by sections of philosophical discussions the author calls “Chautauquas”. The main topic the narrator discusses is what he deems the “Metaphysics of Quality”. This philosophical journey of discovering what Quality is, and how to define it, parallels the trials he and his son face along the road trip. All the while, Pirsig also flashes back to the past through a third-person narrative of Phaedrus, a college English professor whose path to discovering the true meaning of Quality and value eventually drives him insane. He is sent to an asylum and treated with electroconvulsive therapy which gives birth to a new personality: the narrator of the book. The book becomes a harrowing tale of the reconciling your past self with the present and tending to a broken bond between a father and a son. It has sold over 5 million copies and is considered a modern classic.

I chose this text because I feel that it is overlooked in our public education system. It’s a challenging, fiercely original work that contains many ideas students in high school will want to question and discuss. The philosophy sections would be mostly omitted except for a few key parts. This is because much of that content is beyond many of the students’ reading level. I would implore them to read it still, but the vocabulary/ideas might be difficult. I think it could be read in all grades of high school. The narrative of the father-son road trip is relatable, and its ultimate discussion of mental health is shockingly relevant in today’s climate.

One of the central themes of the book is the relationship between technology and spirituality. But obviously the technology of today is very different than it was in 1974. One activity that could be used in teaching this book would be to have groups of students research different aspects of life in the early 1970s. What the technology was like, what the social and educational climate was, and lastly what were the essential issues of the seventies? Another part of the book is when the author is comparing parts of his Motorcycle to parts of life and culture. Having students draw or label a diagram of a motorcycle with relevant metaphors and connections to their own lives would be a fun way to have them engaged. And lastly, this book is ripe for class discussion opportunities. Using some of the strategies we’ve talked about in class, holding a class discussion on what they believe Quality is, and comparing it to Pirsig’s ideas would be insightful and dynamic.

A potential issue that arises from using this text is the reading/intellectual challenge of some of its materials. Its not written for a young adult audience, but the ideas present can be understood by them. There might be a learning curve. The effectiveness of the lessons are dependent on the effectiveness of the teacher. I think an administrator would be open to the book due to its popularity and challenge level. Parents who read the book when it came out might be excited by the opportunity to talk about it with their kids. I’m sure there would be a group of students who oppose the book’s narrative and subject matter. They might find it “boring”. But like I said, the teacher can still find ways to guide them and help them be engaged.