Juan's reaction to alexa's 13-14

            To begin, I don’t really understand what Alexa is saying concerning the quote she put up. I think perhaps she may have misinterpreted whatever Sal was saying at the time. What I understand from what Sal is saying in, “For the next fifteen days we were together for better or worse,” is that their relationship during that time grew. I don’t think it has anything to do with the fact that Sal cannot get married. In fact, contrary to that, Sal has been married previously. I do agree with Alexa on the fact that Sal was not bothered very much by the fact that Terrie could not go to New York with him. I think this may be because it is just another chapter in Sal’s life, but it is also tied in to the fact that he wanted to be back on the road. Also, I sort of agree with the romantic statement she made, “The way I see it is if a guy really wants something, he will make it happen no matter what.” It is true that a man will try to make something happen if he really wants it, but not always will it be possible. Because of this, I don’t know if Sal is to blame in this situation as I think it was quite difficult for Terrie to be able to make it to New York in this situation. On the other hand, Sal did move on from Terrie quite quickly, leading me to believe otherwise. To conclude, I am also excited for whatever Part 2 has in store for us and I am unsure as to what to expect.

Juan's reaction chapters 13-14

            In this section of the book, it has dawned on me the Sal may perhaps want to experience different things and that that is why he may be on the road. For example, in this part of the book, Sal enjoys being a “husband” and being a “laborer”. I know that Sal says he is seeking adventure and wilderness, but honestly, at this point I am simply beginning to think that he just wants to have experience under his belt. He wants to learn not by way of books or sitting in a classroom, but by going out and living a little. It would explain why he has been so impulsive, why he hasn’t settled down, or wanted to for that matter. Furthermore, with Terrie, he feels what he thinks is love. He genuinely cares for her and plans to spend at least a part of his life with her, even going so far as to planning for her to go to New York. In the end though, he simply forgets about her. As he travels, he is changing whatever experience he is going through. That time period in San Francisco he began to settle down, but as he left, he once again longed to experience something else. This led him to make out with a girl on a bus nonchalantly. I think he doesn’t feel bad because it’s a different life from the one in San Francisco. Furthermore, I think part of the reason he misses Dean is because Dean is in a similar situation. Although perhaps not entirely the same, Dean also acts impulsively, on whatever whim. It is these kinds of actions that start up another sequence of Sal’s life, leading me to believe that that is the reason Sal seeks out Dean. All along I’ve been thinking that Dean took advantage of Sal, but perhaps Sal takes advantage of Dean’s character as well. Sure, Dean isn’t exactly the definition of a good friend, but who’s to say that Sal can’t use Dean just like Dean may have used Sal. I may be entirely off track. What I am saying may have nothing to do with the story. But from what I know so far, this seems to be a very possible theory. 

Sharon's Response to Alexa's Reaction

           I agree with Alexa that the characters’ lives on the road seem to go by twice as fast as everyone else’s because everything just comes and goes for them. While it seems true that no one stops to feel, I think that what’s keeping them active is the adrenaline; it’s the excitement of the unknown and the expanse horizon of wild chances and choices that they live off of. I like how Alexa described Dean as a ‘very passionate man with crazy emotions’. I feel that after attempting to settle down, and breaking out of it, Dean is wilder than ever. Like Alexa, I’m glad that Dean has someone to love in a head-over-heels fashion. I think that the reason he and Marylou complement each other so well is that they both have the same need and desire for the rush and excitement. Anyone else would just be too boring for them, and there’s something quite remarkable how despite the number of partners they have in between, the two of them always choose each other over anyone else when it comes down to it. I’m also eager to see how the second part’s life on the road is going to be different from the first part that ultimately ended with Sal returning home.

Ciara's Response to Gabe

First off, Gabe, you remind me of Sal.  I tell you this all the time but its true. 

Anywho, I agree that Dean has definitely grown up, and that his ideas have changed, but I am not so sure if I would call a maniacal lunatic “mature”.  If he has matured, he has matured into a frenzied mess whose life is even more messed up than it was before.  Though I understand what you are saying about Dean enjoying his life, I am not so sure how he would respond to the question, “Are you happy?”  I feel like he just keeps moving so he does not have enough time to sit down and realize that his life has no purpose, and that he is ultimately headed nowhere.  He has a wife and a kid he cannot support, no job, no money, and no future. 

I agree with you when you say that Sal leaves with Dean because he has not been fulfilled yet.  If Sal really was content with moving forward with his book and spending time with his family, he never would have went back on the road again.  He is looking for something else; he may not know what this something else is, but he still believes he can find it on the road with Dean.

Part 2, Chp 1 & 2 Reaction

           I found it extremely telling that in the year that Sal hadn’t seen Dean, he managed to complete his book, go to school and find the girl he wants to marry. While I initially thought maybe he’d finally decided to settle down, I realized that Sal was just taking a break and still wanted the impulsive lifestyle; he had written letters to ask Dean to get him, and had no hesitations about leaving the moment Dean arrived on his doorsteps. I thought the juxtaposition between his current and past life was particularly interesting -Sal had been talking about the weather in ‘low, whining voices’ with his family when Dean and his flashy car whisk him away. Sal seemed to feel that Dean was rescuing him from his tedious life, and the fact that his relatives were surprised of Sal’s ‘type’ of friends prove that when he’s not with Dean’s group, Sal’s true nature is that of a reserved guy.
           What stood out to me the most was Sal’s remark that “this was the new and complete Dean, grown to maturity.” In my opinion, Dean hasn’t changed at all, and if anything, he’s more wild and crazily weird with no hint of maturity. He even tried settling down to the point of becoming a father with a stable job, but just blew it off one day for another try of life on the road. I do not really like the way Dean drags Sal into everything as a means of support, pulling Sal away from his structured life as a result. For example, the incident in the fast food restaurant –Sal, Dean, Marylou and Ed had to help clean the dishes, but in the end, Ed and Sal were the responsible ones to earn all their free hamburgers while Marylou and Dean just played around in the back.
           Yet I feel that if anyone is to blame, it is Sal for letting himself get used. He mentions to Dean that he wants to settle down but can’t because they’re constantly jumping around and that “we’ve got to go someplace, find something”. He knows he can’t always be wild if he wants a stable life, yet sees this problem as something he and Dean have to solve as a team and settle down together. In reality, Sal could just separate from the group, and live his own peaceful life as he wants it. The problem, however, is that Sal seems to internally yearn for the on-the-road experience with Dean no matter how much he decides it’s not for him.

Alexa Ferrer Reaction to Philip

            I like how Phil compared Sal to Dean’s presence. In the year that Dean was not in the picture Sal was able to get his life back to normal, he started working, found a girl, and settled down. Dean not being there helped life go back to normal (whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is hard to tell.)  Now that the pace of the book is getting faster I wonder if Sal is struggling to keep up. Phil made an interesting point about how Sal’s view on life on the road might change in this part, however; I think the adventure is really about to start.

            Something I didn’t touch upon in my reaction but I found interesting after reading Phil’s reaction was Sal’s extended family. They were described so briefly and quickly and immediately the focus was shifted directly back to Dean. Everything revolves around Dean because he brings this passion and excitement to every aspect of Sal’s rather ordinary and boring life. I think this adventure will be his last hoorah, and like Phil said, he will end up sticking to one city, one career, and one girl. 

Alexa Ferrer Part 2 Ch 1&2

            Life on the road is incredibly fast paced now that Sal has had a year to calm down. In the year without Dean he has finally gotten his life back to normal and Dean’s return of course means a whole new adventure. Within the first 3 pages of part two it is evident how crazy life is for people like Dean; people on the road. Things that should take time to develop happen in a flash and end in a flash. Marriages, babies, jobs; everything just comes and goes. The most interesting part about it all for me is that no one stops to feel. Once one thing ends it’s onto the next girl, the next job, the next city. It’s almost as if this is an era of robots just trying to do as much as possible, as fast as possible, and as cheap as possible. The type of life they live is both intimidating and exciting and I enjoy reading about it.

            “The madness of Dean had bloomed into a weird flower,” is probably the best way to describe Dean at this point. He is a very passionate man in general with crazy emotions. I am very surprised to see Dean return with Marylou. From what I know Dean is an absolutely crazy, selfish womanizer. I do like the fact that he went back for her. Even though he is crazy and she even knows it, their love is described with such immense passion. I think that is one of the greatest things in the world. Not necessarily from experience because obviously I’m only 17 years old but from what I’ve picked up upon, it doesn’t seem like there is anything better than the type of love that drives someone absolutely insane, so I’m happy that Dean has that.

             Fast. Everything about the beginning of part 2 is much faster than part one. I remember feeling incredibly bored at the beginning of the book but it is evident that the pace is picking up and the adventure is really going to begin. I’m excited to see what’s in store. I wonder if Dean and Marylou will make it because I have a feeling they won’t, the best kind of love usually doesn’t. 

Part 2 Chapters 1&2

            In the next section of the book, Sal finally finds his way back home.  He returns to the east coast, clearly tired of the constant running around and barely making enough to feed himself.  His long relationship with Terry has obviously left him empty, and for the first time Sal seems to want to slow down rather than speed it up.  Yet, even with the thought of finding a wife on his mind, he still manages to get out on the road again with Dean Moriarty.  Dean seems to have some sort of effect on Sal that makes Sal crave the experience of a journey with no real end or destination in sight.  I would like to see if Sal’s attitude changes toward Dean, as it seems that Sal’s love and passion for being on the road is changing. 

            In the first two chapters of part 2, we finally get to meet Sal’s extended family for the first time.  His family is extremely spread out, and not very close.  He barely makes conversation with any of his family members, and immediately leaves with Dean as soon as he shows up.  Once again, Sal shows his obsession for Dean.  This runs true to the character of Sal, who isn't really extremely close to his friends.  Sal’s friends are spread out, and he doesn't maintain contact with many of them.  Dean is everything that Sal isn’t, and it is for this reason why I believe Sal enjoys Dean’s company so much.  Opposites attract, and I think this is why they are friends.  But for the first time, we see Sal show some disinterest in Dean’s amazing idea to race around the country again.  My guess is Sal is going to follow Dean once again, but this time he will find a girl he can actually stay with.  So far every girl he has met has either been a very short term relationship, or simply unable to stay with him due to family or some other obligation.  His change in attitude at the end of chapter 2 is a sign that the books plot is going to change soon also.  I don’t think Sal, being educated and bright, is the kind of guy that wants to spend the rest of his life as a manual laborer and hitchhiker.  It’s a good form of escapism now, but eventually the fun of it will dry up.     

Ciara's Reaction to Part II: Chapters 1 and 2

Sal’s life is so much more productive and full without Dean.  Part II begins with Sal telling the reader that he has not seen Dean for over a year, and follows this up by saying that he finished his book, went back to school, and spent time with his family.  Without Dean, Sal is able to focus on his goals and ambitions; his maturity has progressed by leaps and bounds in the last year.  The same thing happened when Sal met Terry.  He settled down with her as best he could, took on the responsibility as father of her young one, and got a job to try and provide for her and her son.  Dean is a bad influence on Sal, and as long as he continues to show up at Sal’s front door with his maniacal behavior and irrational ideas of adventure, Sal will never be able to truly progress.

            Sal needs to realize that Dean is using him.  Whenever he is in a bad situation, Dean uses Sal for food, money, and a place to stay.  Dean knows that Sal will always be there to take care of him, no matter what, so the first person he thought of when he went broke was Sal; however, Sal is so happy to see Dean and to know that he has Dean’s attention that he never considers the real reason for Dean’s visit. 

I do not think that the sole purpose of Dean always going back to Sal is because he wants room and board.  Dean also tries to use Sal for motivation.  He sees that Sal just wants to settle down with a wife and kids and a home, and I think Dean secretly wants this too; however, Sal cannot sit still.  He is always looking for some way to be successful and to be the person he has always wanted to be, but his decisions are illogical and adverse to his goals.  In using Sal to advance his own life, Dean just ends up dragging Sal’s life down to the gutter as well.  Whenever Sal has his life together, Dean comes rushing in and ruins whatever headway Sal has made.  Before, I saw Dean as a harmless kid who just wanted to have a little fun.  Now, he is scaring me a little.  His behavior as he drives around in his Hudson is analogous with that of a schizophrenic; if Dean had a powerful influence on Sal’s behavior before, I am worried about how this new behavior will affect Sal now.