Second Post for EDCU-382

As I read this book I can’t help but notice all the symbolism relevant to an adolescent reader. For example, most teens want freedom from their parents and that is exactly what Terry has for most of the book so far. Also, Waylon seems as a guide in this life quest. Waylon can also be looked at as a role model to Terry; he knows so much about so much and seems to have lived his life to the fullest experiencing everything possible, this mainly being a product of his positive attitude towards life and nature. Waylon came into the picture when Terry was stopped on the side of the road waiting for the rain to stop. Waylon goes from being a possible cereal-kilter to being Terry’s lifeline.

In the next chapters Terry and Waylon set out westward. They learn a lot about each other and Waylon is trying to teach Terry how to learn and be observant to most everything. Waylon struck me to be the perfect stereotype of a hippy drifter type. However, Waylon is very knowledgeable in living life out on the open road mostly because that is his lifestyle; this skill quickly becomes important to Terry, after all Terry is only 14 years old and driving a unlicensed vehicle.

Waylon ends up punching some guys in the face (as far as I understood of the situation) and need to go see Wayne, one of Waylon’s friends to cure him of what seems to be bad karma. This shows the adolescent reader that their needs to be morals in a person’s life or you are living in vain. Wayne ends up fixing up Terry’s car and puts a blower on the engine; this is another appealing part in the story for the stereotypical “gear head” in high school.

Wayne decides to go out on the road with Terry and Waylon “trucking,” as they call it. Wayne rides baby, his Harley Davidson motorcycle. They then go north to see Samuel and learn about the United States history.

This part in the story is devoted to Terry developing the skill of learning and developing a passion for learning. As Terry learns life lessons throughout the story, so does the reader; it doesn’t matter if you are 13 and reading this book or 88, you will learn something and admire the way Waylon goes through life with the attitude he has. This brings us up to chapter 16 where they are at Samuel's house sitting on the grass learning how to learn.