On the Road Admiration Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Chad and I got in his little coupe and the first thing he had to do was get maps at the State building. Then he had to see an old schoolteacher, and so on, and all I wanted to do was drink beer. And in the back of my mind was the wild thought, Where is Dean and what is he doing right now? Chad had decided not to be Dean’s friend any more, for some odd reason, and he didn’t even know where he lived (I.6.2)

Sal’s loyalty to Dean arises from his idolatry. His refusal to abandon Dean (as Dean repeatedly abandons him) arises not from genuine feelings of friendship, but from neediness.

Quote #5

Then he told me how Dean had met Camille. Roy Johnson, the poolhall boy, had found her in a bar and took her to a hotel; pride taking over his sense, he invited the whole gang to come up and see her. Everybody sat around talking with Camille. Dean did nothing but look out the window. Then when everybody left, Dean merely looked at Camille, pointed at his wrist, made the sign "four" (meaning he’d be-back at four), and went out. At three the door was locked to-Roy Johnson. At four it was opened to Dean. I wanted to go-right out and see the madman. Also he had promised to fix me up; he knew all the girls in Denver. (I.7.13)

Sal idolizes Dean’s interactions with women, looking to Dean for help in his own sex life.

Quote #6

Major found our hurrying troubles amusing. He’d come to Denver to write leisurely. He treated Dean with extreme deference. Dean paid no attention. Major talked to Dean like this: "Moriarty, what’s this I hear about you sleeping with three girls at the same time?" And Dean shuffled on the rug and said, "Oh yes, oh yes, that’s the way it goes," and looked at his watch, and Major snuffed down his nose. I felt sheepish rushing off with Dean - Major insisted he was a moron and a fool. Of course he wasn’t, and I wanted to prove it to everybody somehow. (I.8.3)

Sal’s defense of Dean isn’t about friendship, but rather about his own need to preserve the flawless, heroic picture of Dean that he has in his mind.