Crossroads (Prompt 14, Chapter 3)

Throughout the book Sal is learning about himself. His experiences and the people he meets help him find who he is. In chapter 3 Sal wakes up not knowing where he is. He is completely disoriented and does not even know who he is for a moment. As he comes back to his senses he says that he is, “at the dividing line between the East of my youth and the West of my future” (Page 45). This is a defining moment for the main character. Before the trip the author was in a stagnant part of his life. He was tired and even depressed while living in New York. This trip has provided him with a change from the ordinary and a shake up in the normal routine. At this crossroads in his life he looks behind him and sees the old him and looks forward in a much more optimistic view. He sees this adventure as a learning and growing experience. This is how I view my upcoming trip to Europe. I do not think that my life prior to the trip has been boring but I see it as a chance to find out who I am and grow as a person.

And so it begins.....(Prompt 1, Chapter 1)

The first chapter starts the book off on a good foot. I like the first person style of the author. It shows the voice of the “intellectual” narrator, Sal Paradise. Sal is a depressed writer living in New York in the late forties. He hangs out with a eclectic group of friends who I am excited to hear more about. I also like the character Dean Moriarty. So far he is described as a wild womanizer. He is married to Marylou who, to me, sounds like a ditsy blonde. I can't imagine that they will last. From the description of Dean you know he will be a trouble maker. He was just released from jail and hails from Colorado. This is his first time in New York City. Keroauc uses great detail when he describes his characters. I feel like they are standing right in front of me.

On The Road

On The Road by Jack Kerouac is a story of two men traveling together. You can expect new posts approximately every 2 chapters I read (slightly more frequently).

Welcome Class!

Welcome everyone,

Today for your do now I want you to wikipedia Peru and find a random fact.

Post this random fact to your blog and, if it has any relevance to TMD, explain how it connects to the book.

Che Who?

Che Guevara was bent on making the world a communist hell. As a young man he traveled the world and through the trickery of the common man he was turned into a socialist. He used his communication skills to gain support and start revolutions in the name of Communism. He wanted to stand up for the common man. He wanted to lead a revolt against Capitalization. After his successful revolution in Cuba he amounted to nothing but a capitalist symbol through t-shirts.

Chile

A vertical sliver of South America.

Political Commentary

Towards the end of the section Che comments on the political scene. He finds it confusing, "The political scene is confusing" (p88). The different candidates interest him. He speaks about the communist party and hatred for the United States. He talks about how, "chile should... shake its uncomfortable Yankee friend from its back." (p 89) This foreshadows Che's later interest and involvement in politics.