Part 2 Ch 5-6

            In the next set of chapter for part two, Sal and his gang continue their adventure to the South.  The strange relationship between Dean, Marylou, and Sal continues, and is more heavily emphasized in these next two chapters.  The reader finally learns why Sal wanted to hook up with Marylou.  He believes that Dean will dump Marylou again for Camille in San Francisco, but Dean now doesn’t seem interested in pursuing Camille.  This kind of sucks for Sal, who has a huge crush on Marylou and was banking on the fact that she and Dean would split once they got to San Francisco.  That whole relationship system is very strange, and I doubt it will last very long.  I feel that Marylou likes Sal, but is holding herself back due to her current relationship.  This is also a possible plotline for a future conflict between Sal and Dean, but the two of them are both easy going and not too or overly confrontational about things.  Their trip to the South has been the most exciting trip to date in my opinion.  Old Bull Lee is such a cool character, and he reminds me a lot of the “most interesting man in the world”.  HE has done everything, from marrying a royal Russian, to growing crops in Texas.  He also has the love of the Wild West that reminds me of many old and famous Western Classics.  I hope Sal stays a bit longer so we can see and learn a little bit more about Lee and his family.  The book has finally questioned itself with Carlo’s critiquing of the entire gang for their lack of an end goal or some sort of purpose in their life.  Carlo has finally settled down, yet the rest of his friends are continuing their amazing adventure back and forth across the country.  I myself have often questioned the purpose and the point to their lives, and the fact that Sal was unable to answer leaves me with the impression that there is no point to their trip anymore.  They are spending the days of their youth enjoying themselves rather than working now, and enjoying themselves later.  My wish is for Sal and his friends to have fun for a while longer, and through this experience, find some sort of passion to pursue and work towards.