stereotypes
“As camp, these road movies seemingly allow for models of difference and diversity but, ultimately, by opting for the familiarity of their own backyard, they reinscribe differences rather than acknowledge diversity.� Robertson, 283
I agree with Robertson on the issue that, yes, having minor stereotypical characters in the film, the protagonist(s) is define and shown in a light which makes him non-normative and a type of outcast. We find that in many situations by the comparison of the protagonist(s) to the other minor characters that the protagionist is flawed, out of place, and/or unaccepted. An obvious scene is when Felicia is at the Manly-Brew_Fest dressed like a woman, almost tricks one man into believing s/he is a female, and is chased down by the group of “normative� outback masculine men.
A comparison can be found the scene in Easy Rider where the men are denied a room at the motel, and the scene in Priscilla where then men are left stranded by the hunters because they look queer. Both sets of men are left out in the dust, but one group is considered normative masculinity (because of their motorcycle, womanizing attitude, etc.), and the other is not (because of the way the dress, transgender, etc.) Therefore, that goes to show that when out on the road and compared/interacting with stereotypical characters of people you find yourself lost, longing for familiarity and acceptance, and different.