The Dharma Bums

“He was being very serious and leaderly and it pleased me more than anything else” (53)

Here they are about to hike and Japhy is getting prepared and is showing leadership. This shows Smith’s idealistic view of Japhy that he appreciates his leadership and taking care of the situation.

“But Japhy had on his fine big boots and his little green Swiss cap with feather, and looked elfin but rugged.” (54)

Ray is looking at Japhy and admiring his backpacking look. He himself doesn’t feel like he looks like a backpacker, but Japhy fits the perfect picture of a backpacker. This tells us that they think there is a typically look for backpackers and they have a desire to look like that.