Warren Coughlin Character Analysis in The Dharma Bums

Warren is an alias for the Buddhist poet Philip Whalen. Warren is Japhy’s friend from college who frequently attests to Japhy’s brilliance and attends most of the parties that Ray recounts throughout the book. He mostly appears in the background of the novel, serving to reinforce Japhy’s mythic status in Ray’s eyes. But while meditating in North Carolina, Ray also remembers Warren as a characteristically thoughtful and gentle soul, whose serene personality embodies the teachings and highest values of Zen Buddhism.

Warren Coughlin Character Timeline in The Dharma Bums

The timeline below shows where the character Warren Coughlin appears in The Dharma Bums. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Ray notices Warren Coughlin, a college friend of Japhy’s, among the poets. Japhy whispers to Ray that Warren... (full context)

Inclusion, Exclusion, and Community Theme Icon

The next evening, Warren Coughlin, Alvah Goldbrook, and Ray visit Japhy with a gallon of wine. On their way... (full context)

Then, Japhy and Warren Coughlin show up to party with Ray and Alvah. They get wildly drunk and start... (full context)

...they drink more and more, they’re increasingly impressed by their own creativity. Eventually, Ray and Warren nearly knock down Alvah’s cottage by wrestling around and kicking the walls in, and Henry... (full context)

...He thanks the universe, feels an incredible sense of freedom, and remembers the quiet, thoughtful Warren Coughlin. February is warmer—Ray spends his nights contemplating the stars, looking for the significance in... (full context)

The next day, Sean and Christine get plenty of visitors, including Princess, Alvah Goldbrook, and Warren Coughlin, who come to visit Ray and Japhy. One group plays folk songs and eats... (full context)

...friend George. In the yard, Rheinhold Cacoethes rants about the state of American poetry while Warren Coughlin tries to get in a word edgewise. Henry Morley briefly visits as well; he... (full context)

...her. Ray admits that this wasn’t merciful, but he considers it necessary. Everyone cries, and Warren Coughlin predicts that Japhy will stay in Asia forever. (full context)