Chapter 16 Summary and Analysis

The party continued throughout the night. As beer ran short, another collection was taken up and Thompson again sent out on a beer run. The police begrudgingly let him drive out and back in, having procured several cases of beer. Other cars and motorcycles arrived throughout the night, adding to the beer and drugs. An occasional young girl was smuggled into the party. Many people wandered out into the woods for sex or to sleep. Thompson remained awake all night, speaking to various drunks and outlaws. The chapter summarizes many of their fragmentary stories, making it an intriguing and disturbing read.