I think that Sal wants to see as much of the world and especially his country as he can. He's looking for something, but he doesn't know what. I think Julia brings up a great point comparing Sal to transcendentalist AND aristotle's views. I do think that he is looking for something greater than himself. yes, he's probably looking for a life and a family to eventually settle down with, but he's also looking for something greater than that. I think that what makes this a real American book is not only that Sal is traveling through the country, but i think that's really what he's looking for. He's looking to understand his country and experience the most he can in all different parts of it.

And about him leaving Terry and that life...i really don't understand why he did that.
Was he scared? or just unhappy? or was there just something more that he wanted from life that he knew he couldn't get with Terry?