Enter Neal Cassady Summary

In the introduction to part two, Charters writes that Neal Cassady is a major inspiration for many Beat Generation writers. Although Cassady is not himself a major writer, he did write a number of letters that other writers, especially Jack Kerouac, found inspiring. Cassady begins writing an autobiography but dies before he is able to finish the first section.

In Cassady's letter to Kerouac from Kansas City, Cassady explains how he met a girl named Patricia on a bus and almost slept with her but was unable to because Patricia's sister met her at the bus station in Saint Louis.

The next letter explains the different times Cassady has been arrested and is used in part of "On the Road." Mostly, Cassay is arrested for hitchhiking and stealing cars for joyrides.

The fragmentary letter to Kerouac describes Cassady seeing...