Because The Night Belongs To Us
For everyone, life is a struggle. Getting up every day can be exhausting. Along with personal issues, there are too many problems with the world to count. Through the rollercoaster of life, some people make it, while others break. Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe made it. They beat every odd against two struggling artists living in New York City in the 1960s and 1970s. In Just Kids, Smith tells the tale of her strenuous life. Her story is inspiring to anyone under any circumstance. Just Kids by Patti Smith is an influential and outstanding book that has the capability to change someone’s perspective of the world. Her inspirational story is shown by how she portrays herself and Robert as relatable human beings. The book may begin as a romance, but it changes into a reflection of the lives of artists living in NYC in the age of Rock n’ Roll. From both her and Robert’s persistence to never give up and accomplish their dreams, the readers are able to believe that they can accomplish their dreams.  Patti Smith not only tells her story, she gives her readers hope.
Patti portrays herself and Robert as relatable human beings in Just Kids. In her young twenties, Patti moved to New York City right after dropping out of college in the late 60’s. Shortly thereafter she met Robert, and on multiple occasions they bumped into each other throughout the city. From those meetings a friendship grew, and they became best friends, “We were as Hansel and Gretel and we ventured out into the black forest of the world” (288). From that friendship came young love, and the fairytale ends there. Every day was a struggle since they did not have steady jobs. Being an artist isn’t easy, and there are no certainties; “I had no proof that I had the stuff to be an artist, though I hungered to be one” (11). When they had spare change, they had to choose between art supplies or food. By her describing the harsh circumstances that she was under, the readers are able to have a greater appreciation for the things they have. Listening to the struggles of others, makes a person more appreciative of the gifts they have. It puts the reader in to a worldwide perspective of how they are just a small piece in the puzzle that is history. Patti and Robert’s hard times are relatable to current struggles of anyone. Her life story is not only a triumph, but also inspirational.
Just Kids begins as a romance, but changes into a reflection of the lives of artists living in the age of Rock n’ Roll. As Patti’s relationship with Robert evolves, so does her knowledge of life in the 60s and 70s. She describes her new experiences in the art industry, giving a primary source insight of life for artists of that decade. She mentions Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, and Andy Warhol, and further describes the role of weed, drinking, smoking, and hippies on society. She took her experiences to paper and wrote about all the wonders of the decade, “Who can know the heart of youth but youth itself?” (40). Patti and Robert’s ever-changing relationship is a reflection of the consistent changes NYC undertakes during every decade. By Patti relating romance to the world, it allows people to not only understand life at the time, but also how someone’s surroundings change who he/she are. The environment in which someone lives reflects its self in hisself/herself, whether he/she wants it to or not.
Patti and Robert had immense strength to never give up and that allowed them to accomplish their dreams. This determination influences readers to believe that they can make their dreams a reality. They both came from nothing, no home, no food, and no money. The only thing that kept them sane and let them continue living was art; “We would work side by side for hours, in a state of mutual concentration” (45). For five straight years they never gave up on their dreams. Working every day and night to make ends meet. Their love for art was unexplainable, “We hadn’t much money but we were happy…. We had our work and one another” (45). This love allows people to believe that they can follow their hearts, and not money. Patti’s story let’s readers believe that if by chance they perfect their craft, money will come to them. Her legacy is that anything is possible. Anyone can be successful with determination.
Patti Smith made it. She conquered all the odds against her, and anyone can too. Just Kids is an inspirational story that can change someone’s perspective of the world and what he/she are capable of. Anyone can make it. It doesn’t matter age, gender, or race. With determination, both Robert and Patti succeeded. Determination and love is stronger than any external force. Patti Smith gives us hope in Just Kids. She allows her readers to believe that they are the omnipotent power. After all, as she says in her hit single, we can accomplish anything “Because the night belongs to us.”