This amplifies the characteristics of
people from the Beat Generation because they cared only for what satisfied them
and their desires; whether it be friends, sex from multiple partners, or abuse
of drugs which are attained by theft if needed be.
At this point, Sal feels as though he
has lost his sense of direction and purpose and thinks "what I
accomplished by coming to Frisco I don't know,” so he takes a bus back to New
York. Sal is almost like a buffer between the Beat Generation and the elder. He
has the mindset of the right handers yet the desires of the Beat. He knows he
should maintain responsibility but at the same time, he wants to roam wild; but
as Dean persists in taking him on these trips, he loses touch with anything
sensible within him, turning him into a child of the “Beat” and taking away his
conformity.
With the continuation of the story, free
association writing breeds meaningful discourse and spiritual reflection as
Dean communicates with those around him. Sal, who has been characterized as an
outsider, finds utter confusion in these thought patterns yet admires the
freedom of Dean’s mad mind. These speech patterns presented by Dean convey the
free mentality and blissful thinking which the Beat generation aspired to
achieve. By simply sitting there and allowing the words that run through their
mind to fall off their lips, they are, in a crazed way, breaking the chains of
strict conformity, and while seeming insane to others, are allowing their minds
to roam in ways that older generations would have seen as unacceptable
behavior. Of course, the use of psychotics or drug related substances aided in
their ability to communicate in such mad and bizarre ways.
After some time of being away from Dean,
Sal gets lonesome and depressed and can’t help but contact Dean for one more
round of kicks. The two plan to go to Mexico City with others and this trip
embodies everything the righters despise. Prostitutes, cannabis, liquor,
partying, etc., are all abundant in Mexico City but was puts each Dean and Sal
in their place is when Sal realizes that Dean was willing to give up any sense
of a family for the wildness of “the road.” Dean is the extreme example of a “Beat”
child. He is careless, free-spirited, doesn’t let anything tie him down, will
not conform to what others wants, loves drugs, sex, and partying. He is the
spirit of “The Beat” and what attracts people like Sal, Marylou, and Ed to join
his mad ways. Although the idea of non-conformity and constant partying sounds
excited, Dean didn’t end up too well in the end. He received divorce papers in
New Mexico, went back to New York to marry Inez and then ended up leaving her
and returning to Camille. Due to all the craziness he has put himself through
and the constant movement he has done throughout the years, he is incapable of
settling down and will find it difficult to stay in one place. When he tries to
return to Sal, who has already established a life with a girl named Laura, he
is left behind as Sal, Laura, and Remi Boncoeur drive to the Opera House. Sal
had to say goodbye to his alter ego, although he never forgot him and Dean had
to realize that his “Beat” ideals didn’t set him up in a good place.
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