Individualism

The fact that Sal is completely obsessed with other people's lives can be described as almost meddlesome. However, it can also be seen, on a more positive note, as being curious about the happenings of others and how they exist even though he cannot see them everyday. He has been indeed lonesome most of his life after being let go by his wife and losing his ability to write but, now he has found a way to undue his loneliness. He inquires about the lives of those he hitchhikes with and listens with intrigue. Usually, most people are annoyed by the stories that strangers divulge to them but, Sal is different. It is these stories that he is after. The only way for him to escape his cage of alienation from the rest of the world is through these conversations that he has with people. The reader also becomes apparent of the reason as to why Sal is constantly lonely when not talking to others: he understands that, though he has his own life to live, so do others and they continue on with their lives without caring about others even though they to have their own lives to run. This idea of individualism drives Sal to sadness since he realizes how alone everyone is including himself. His form of correction though is by trying to include others in his world of conversation as to fight of the individualistic spell.