Espaces et échanges : route 66

ESPACES ET ECHANGES – ROUTE 66

INTRODUCTION:

The notion of espaces et echanges covers a large range of terms.

First of all, the term “Espaces” encapsulates real and symbolic places or spaces. As for exchange, this term can be defined as the act of giving or receiving something in substitution for something else.

In our modern word these exchanges can take several forms:

• economic : work exchanges, trade and goods exchange across borders;
• social: comunication; travelling experiences
• cultural: exchange of ideas, information, education,  immigration, student exchanges and mobility, gap years…
• technological

Route 66 is one of the multiple illustrations which can be related to the notion of “espaces et exchanges”.

Problématique: How did Route 66 become a legendary road in America?

First, we will explore how Route 66 became a mythical road occupying Physical space. Secondly, Route 66, is also a fantastic way to discover Amercian history, new cultures and ways of life. Ultimately, Route 66 was and still presently is a source of inspiration for Litterature, cinema and music.

1. ROUTE 66: A MYTHICAL ROAD OCCUPYING PHYSICAL SPACE

Physical space: Where? Route 66 is a historic highway that links Los Angeles to Chicago.

• It is more than 2450 miles long and is also known as “The Mother Road” or as “The gateway to the West”. Some people say that Route 66 is a never ending road. It can be tiring to travel on this highway.
• It runs through 8 different states: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois.
• Interesting way of exploring some major tourist sights and attractions

1. ROUTE 66: A WAY TO DISCOVER AMERCIAN HISTORY, NEW CULTURES AND WAYS OF LIFE (Echanges).

Along this road trip, there are several interesting and remarkable places to visit which are linked to the memory of the US.

1. Geographical places: these states were inhabited by the native Americans at first well before the pioneers.
2. Touristic sights:

• Grand canyon caverns: a tourist can be easily fascinated by its magnificent landscape.
• Hualapei Indian Reservation : a good way to get a feeling of what it is to live like a native American
• A train station hotel in California: inspires different feelings. It can be an awesome experience staying in an old building even though it looks a bit creepy. Conveys a weird feeling.
• ……. ( introduire les endroits que tu as mentionné lors de ta présentation orale)
• Museums: places of legacy and cultural heritage

1. ROUTE 66 : SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR LITERATURE, CINEMA AND MUSIC (fictional space and exchange)

Although Route 66 doesn’t appear on maps anymore, it continues to live through literary works, songs and American imagination.

It has crossed material borders and inspired authors, musicians and artists. The memory of Route 66 is still kept alive through imagination.

• Literary works: Steinbeck: The grapes of wrath; (the great depression of the the 30’s and the terrible weather conditions (drought and dust storms) forced thousands of farmers from Oklahoma to abandon their land and go west in search of better living conditins. In his novel, Steinbeck describes their conditions. Route 66 was referred to as the “migrant road” or “the road of flight”.
• John Kerouac: On the road
• Songs: Many interpretations of the song Route 66 have been recorder by artists and music groups as Nat King Cole, The Roling Stones, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dyland and Depeche Mode.
• Artists: David Hockney (artiste anglais des années 60 – mouvement du Popart) : tableau collage (Route 66)
• Cinema : Famous movies were shot along the Route 66, as Bagdad Café, Cars, Little Miss Sunshine, Thelma and Louise or The grapes of wrath (originally a novel written by Steinbeck)

To conclude, travelling along the route 66 helps to promote tourism and can be a life time experience. Indeed, not only can it shape one’s mind but it can also break the daily routine.

...