One morning when Steinbeck sleeps past dawn "Charley looked into face and said 'ftt,'" (54) a reminder to stay with his schedule. By being an intelligent travel companion, helping connect with strangers, and acting as an ambassador to the readers, Charley combines the events of Steinbeck's journey into a comprehensive and valid definition of the American identity.Ĭharley acts as a friend along the journey by providing Steinbeck with worthwhile advice. Steinbeck uses Charley as an asset to balance his themes with someone the reader can relate to. It would seem that his claims are too outlandish and disconnected if not for his travel companion Charley, who remains a constant throughout the book. Consequently, the book reads like a casual travelogue documenting Steinbeck's experiences throughout the nation, only connected by recurring themes of roots, culture, loneliness, and the American tradition. On his circular journey, Steinbeck reflects upon each location as having its own personality and unique story. In Travels With Charley, John Steinbeck travels with his poodle in his camper across America to discover his country and validate his status as an American author.
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