I think that Chris could inspire anyone and everyone in at least one way. Maybe not every characteristic he has is beneficial, but there are a great span of traits he has that are inspiring. Chris is brave, he went out into the wild alone. A lot of people are afraid to do a lot of things alone. Going off to college, starting your life all by yourself, even things like walking to your car at night, or being home alone, let alone being in the middle of nowhere with no one, but yourself to rely on.
Chris went against society to be himself. A big trait that Chris carried was individualism. Chris was not afraid to be his own person. Chris would make statements like taking off his socks right after work, or not following the correct format on a paper because he thinks that it makes no sense, his biggest statement was going out into the wild not caring that people thought he was a wacko for doing so.
Chris was smart. Period. Chris had the credentials to get into Harvard, of course, he didn't use them which is sometimes frowned upon, but that did not make him dumb. Chris had been able to bring home -A's so easily since grade school. People in the presence of Chris could tell that he was very intelligent just by the way he spoke.
Chris was naive. He was smart, but that doesn't mean that he was not naive. Chris came unprepared. Maybe coming unprepared was like making a statement, but instead of not bringing the right things, he could have brought things he needed, but just not used them until he had a fallout.
Chris was selfish. In not all ways, but Chris left his family and his sister. He left them without telling them where he was going. He did not contact his parents while he was away. He left them to worry about him and wonder until the day they received his death notice. If Chris was more unselfish he should have at least wrote them and let them know that he was okay every once and a while.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Chapter 17 Question 48
On Jon Krakauer's journey, he uncovered a number of things. The things that he uncovered were the water looks lower than it does in the photo of Chris crossing the Teklanika River, maybe something Chris could have changed was crossing it when it was low tide, even knowing he still survived it when he crossed (page 173). Jon also discovers a gauge station that would have made crossing the river easier (page 173). Chris had not known about the basket that he would have helped him cross the river (page 174), maybe he should have brought a topographic map with him. Chris thought it was impossible to reach the eastern shore because he had no map that would have guided him a different way to get where he would have wanted to go, he then went back to the bus to starve and die. If Chris had, had a map he could've lived longer and kept going on his journey, but instead he died (page 174). Chris has been slandered so much for coming unprepared because he did not bring enough food or not as nearly enough gear to keep warm as he should, but the things that he needed the most that could have helped him find his way out or to a better source of food would be a large caliber rifle, a map, a compass, and an axe (page 180).
Similarities
1. Ran out of food
2. Both said to be naive
Differences
1. Franklin traveled with a group of men, rather than alone.
2. Franklin led an expedition into western canada.
Similarities
1. Ran out of food
2. Both said to be naive
Differences
1. Franklin traveled with a group of men, rather than alone.
2. Franklin led an expedition into western canada.
Chapter 13 Question 47
Chris and his sister Carine had many similarities, but they were more different than the same.
Differences
1. Carine made peace with her parents. Chris never did
2. Carine could never go out into the wild, whereas Chris did
3. Carine has no objections to wealth, where Chris thinks that you should work for all of your own things and not rely on others money.
Similarities
1. Chris and his sister shared the clash of adolescence against their parents
2. They share a sense of outrage over racial injustice
3. Both found comfort and acceptance in eachother.
Differences
1. Carine made peace with her parents. Chris never did
2. Carine could never go out into the wild, whereas Chris did
3. Carine has no objections to wealth, where Chris thinks that you should work for all of your own things and not rely on others money.
Similarities
1. Chris and his sister shared the clash of adolescence against their parents
2. They share a sense of outrage over racial injustice
3. Both found comfort and acceptance in eachother.
Chapter 16 Question 46
During the last days of Chris' preparation, he gathered the few things that he felt he needed. First, Stuckey had bought Chris a big bag of rice, Chris then went to a library and picked up a book called Tanaina Plantlore/Dena'ina K'et'una: An Ethnobotany of the Dena'ina Indians of Southcentral Alaska by Priscilla Russell Kari, and finally purchased a semiautomatic .22-caliber Remington with a 4-x-20 scope and a plastic stock (page 158-161).
Some personal philosophies that Chris uncovered during his journey are 1. winter, not summer, is the preferred season for traveling overland through the bush. 2. learn to accept your errors no matter how great they may be. 3. circumstance has no value. it is how one relates to a situation that has value. 4. The Great Holiness of FOOD, the Vital Heat. 5. Positivism, the Insurpassable Joy of the Life Aesthetic. 6. Absolute Truth and Honesty. 7.Independence. 8. Finality-Stability-Consistancy. 9. The only way to be truly happy is to live for someone else, like a mate and children.
Some personal philosophies that Chris uncovered during his journey are 1. winter, not summer, is the preferred season for traveling overland through the bush. 2. learn to accept your errors no matter how great they may be. 3. circumstance has no value. it is how one relates to a situation that has value. 4. The Great Holiness of FOOD, the Vital Heat. 5. Positivism, the Insurpassable Joy of the Life Aesthetic. 6. Absolute Truth and Honesty. 7.Independence. 8. Finality-Stability-Consistancy. 9. The only way to be truly happy is to live for someone else, like a mate and children.
Chapter 16 Question 45
I believe that even knowing it would have helped Chris' family with their worry, it was not Stuckey's place to call Chris' parents. Stuckey was just one of the few people that Chris met on his journey, maybe someone who had a little more relevance than others, but not family, not someone who had the authority to go against Chris' free choice to live out in the wild. Chris was an adult when he made the decision, Chris was an adult when he started his journey, Chris was old enough to decide whether or not he wanted to keep in contact with his family or not. Evening knowing one choice might be better than the other, it was Chris' choice, no ones else's and no one else knew Chris' relationship truly with his parents besides Chris. If Stuckey had called Chris' parents, I think it might have just been another obstacle in Chris' journey, it could have been just another reason for him to revolt against his parents. Obviously, if he left without contacting his parents, nothing could change his mind now, especially with them trying to force him to come home. I do not think that Chris would have came home. His parents could not force him because that would be kidnapping. Chris was old enough to decide where he was going to live and what he was going to do with his life, whether his parents liked it or not. I think what would have happened would be just a farther distance between Chris and his parents if that was possible.
Chapter 15 Question 44
Chris McCandless and Jon Krakauer's journey's were different, but very much similar as well. First, they were different because Jon's journey focused on climbing on a mountain (page 133-144), while Chris's journey focused on surviving in the wild (woods). Jon came a lot more prepared for his journey than Chris, Jon had 4 weeks worth of food while Chris had 2 pounds of rice for 2 years, Jon had heavy winter camping gear, while Chris had the clothes on his back, and Jon had 6 cartons of supplies dropped from a plane when he had been dropped off (page 140). Another difference is Jon had made sure that someone knew where he was and that they would make sure he was okay, he had told a pilot where he would be and to fly over to check on him in three days after he had landed to see that he was fine (page 140).
Things that were the same, were both Chris and Jon sought out adventure and challenge. Jon had wanted to climb the mountain, of which had never been climbed (page134). Chris had gone into the wild without much preparation, I think to prove a point that he could survive off of strictly nature. Both Chris and Jon stayed in some sort of shelter for a matter of days, Chris stayed in an abandoned bus, Jon stayed in a tent (page 146). Both Chris and Jon were inspired by their fathers some what to journey, they both climbed mountains with their fathers while they were younger (page 147).
Things that were the same, were both Chris and Jon sought out adventure and challenge. Jon had wanted to climb the mountain, of which had never been climbed (page134). Chris had gone into the wild without much preparation, I think to prove a point that he could survive off of strictly nature. Both Chris and Jon stayed in some sort of shelter for a matter of days, Chris stayed in an abandoned bus, Jon stayed in a tent (page 146). Both Chris and Jon were inspired by their fathers some what to journey, they both climbed mountains with their fathers while they were younger (page 147).
Chapter 14 Question 43
Chris McCandless & Jon Krakauer
Similarities
1. Both disappointed their fathers pg.134
2. Both loved to climb/hike pg. 134
3. Both were in their early 20's when they entered Alaska pg. 135
4. Both quit their jobs without notice pg.136
5. Both felt eased about leaving the life they lived behind pg. 136
Differences
1. Jon willingly abandoned his car without a struggle while Chris abandoned his car because the engine was flooded. pg.136
2. Jon almost needed someone, Chris could live in chastity. pg. 137
3. Jon had came on his trip prepared pg 140
4. Jon had warned people where he would be pg. 140
5. Jon had survived, while Chris died. pg. 144
Similarities
1. Both disappointed their fathers pg.134
2. Both loved to climb/hike pg. 134
3. Both were in their early 20's when they entered Alaska pg. 135
4. Both quit their jobs without notice pg.136
5. Both felt eased about leaving the life they lived behind pg. 136
Differences
1. Jon willingly abandoned his car without a struggle while Chris abandoned his car because the engine was flooded. pg.136
2. Jon almost needed someone, Chris could live in chastity. pg. 137
3. Jon had came on his trip prepared pg 140
4. Jon had warned people where he would be pg. 140
5. Jon had survived, while Chris died. pg. 144
Chapter 11 Question 40
Chris had many aspiring talents. If he were to transfer to St. Mary's High School, there would be a number of things he would participate in. First, I think he would participate in almost all honor classes because because he was academically talented. He effortlessly brought home A's stated on page 109. Chris would be in a musically program in the school, whether it be the High School Choir or the drama club for the instruments needed in the play because Chris was talented musically stated on page 110. Chris would most likely be on the debate team, because he often had arguments with the ways things were being done and the way he thought they should be done, like on page 109, the only class that Chris had failed was Physics because he thought that it was dumb that he had to turn his labs in, in a certain format, so he decided to ignore the format. Chris would probably be on the cross country team, because he like to do hiking and cross country is probably the most athletic sport like hiking. On page 109, it states the love Chris had for hiking. Also he was the captain of the cross country squad at W. T. Woodson High School. Chris would probably not participate in any other sports because he did not like method and was always impatient with sports, page 110. I feel Chris would be in respect life or the key club because he was all about helping people (page 113), he was also very spiritual (page 112). Chris would also most likely take an engineering class because he could build things (page 116). Chris probably would take a business class, because he knew how the world worked profit-making wise (page 116).
Chapter 9 Question 37
Everett Ruess starved to live differently then society just like Chris. They both believed that in order to be truly happy that they must live in nature, away from the governmental life made up by people seeking money and power. Money and power had nothing to do with the way of life that Chris and Everett had wanted to live. Chris and Everett got more satisfaction out of the natural surrounding of the life that was created for us rather than a man made life. Being one with nature was more important to them then being one with another person
Chris and Everett were also different though. Chris never felt alone. Chris did not mind being alone, infact at times he liked it. Everett on the other hand, had felt very lonely. He states on page 91. "I have gone too far alone." Also Chris did not really care what other people thought of him, in fact he tended to be different then other people sometimes almost like he was making a statement, he was bold and wanted people to know that there was something greater about him, how the nature inspired his life. Everett felt misunderstood by people. He most likely felt lonely as oppose to Chris because he cared about what other people thought about him.
Chris and Everett were also different though. Chris never felt alone. Chris did not mind being alone, infact at times he liked it. Everett on the other hand, had felt very lonely. He states on page 91. "I have gone too far alone." Also Chris did not really care what other people thought of him, in fact he tended to be different then other people sometimes almost like he was making a statement, he was bold and wanted people to know that there was something greater about him, how the nature inspired his life. Everett felt misunderstood by people. He most likely felt lonely as oppose to Chris because he cared about what other people thought about him.
Chapter 11 Question 39
Chris McCandless
1. "In third grade, after receiving a high score on a standardized achievement test, Chris was placed in an accelerated program for gifted students." Pg. 106
2. When Chris was little, he always had friends, he was never anti-social. Pg. 107
3. Chris had loved to go on camping trips when he was younger. Pg. 108
4. Chris' grandfather left a big impact on him. Pg. 109
5. Chris and his father climbed Old Rag mountain almost every year starting at the age of eight. Pg. 109
6. Chris reached the 13,000-foot elevation on Longs Peak in Colorado.
7. Chris was fearless when he was little, stated by his father. Pg. 109
8. Chris had only gotten a grade lower than a B once in physics. Pg. 109
9. Chris was a high achiever in almost everything. Pg. 109
10. Chris played the guitar, piano, and French horn. Pg. 110
11. Chris loved Tony Bennett and was surprisingly good at singing his songs. Pg. 110
12. Was a member of the American University Symphony, but quit. Pg. 110
13. Chris and Carine had music rivalry, but not bad enough to effect their relationship. Pg. 110
14. Chris and Carine were close, best friends, ever since they were really little. He was protective over his little sister. Pg. 110
15. Chris inherited Billie's "angelic" features, like her eyes. Pg. 110
16. Chris was strong for his size and well coordinated. Pg. 110
17. Chris was the shortest person in his class most of the time. Pg. 110
18. Chris was not good at sports, he did not have patience for them. Pg. 110-111
19. Chris had natural talent, but only if he was taught how to do something he'd catch on. Pg. 111
20. Chris tackled things head on, he did not like strategy or method.
Walt & Billie
1. Walt is tall and solidly proportioned, he wears wire-rimmed glasses making him look professional. Pg. 103
2. Walt was NASA's project manager for the pioneering Seasat launch. Pg. 104
3. Walt is referred to as brilliant. Pg. 105
4. Walt grew up in Greeley, Colorado. Pg. 105
5. Walt won an academic scholarship to Colorado State University. Pg. 105
6. Walt and Billie are very close.
7. Walt and Billie started a consulting firm of which they worked on all day and all night. Pg. 107
8. Billie's childhood home was Iron Mountain Michigan. Pg. 108
9. Billie had 5 other siblings. Pg. 108
10. Billie's father did not fit in society, like this and many other ways, Loren, and Chris were very much alike. Pg. 108
This chapter slightly confuses me on my views between Chris and his parents. I feel like they should have understood him more. Billie's father loved being out in the wild and raising wildlife. Billie should have picked this up and accepted Chris for being like her father. And Walt would always take Chris out on hiking trips, and Chris would be stubborn and want to climb more, he did not want to give up and turn back, Walt even states on pg. 109, "The route above looked slabby, exposed, dangerous. 'I'd had it, OK," Walt explains,"But Chris wanted to keep going to the top. I told him no way. He was only twelve then, so all he could do was complain. If he'd been fourteen or fifteen, he would have simply gone on without me." Walt should have already known, that Chris had been an adventurous person. I really think when Chris listened to his parents in High School it was just to satisfy them, I feel that he knew when he had turned old enough he would do as he pleased. He originally stated that he did not want to go to college, his parents did not understand what he felt his purpose in life was. His parents told him that he needed to go to college, so he did, but as soon as he finished he was ready for his own journey.
1. "In third grade, after receiving a high score on a standardized achievement test, Chris was placed in an accelerated program for gifted students." Pg. 106
2. When Chris was little, he always had friends, he was never anti-social. Pg. 107
3. Chris had loved to go on camping trips when he was younger. Pg. 108
4. Chris' grandfather left a big impact on him. Pg. 109
5. Chris and his father climbed Old Rag mountain almost every year starting at the age of eight. Pg. 109
6. Chris reached the 13,000-foot elevation on Longs Peak in Colorado.
7. Chris was fearless when he was little, stated by his father. Pg. 109
8. Chris had only gotten a grade lower than a B once in physics. Pg. 109
9. Chris was a high achiever in almost everything. Pg. 109
10. Chris played the guitar, piano, and French horn. Pg. 110
11. Chris loved Tony Bennett and was surprisingly good at singing his songs. Pg. 110
12. Was a member of the American University Symphony, but quit. Pg. 110
13. Chris and Carine had music rivalry, but not bad enough to effect their relationship. Pg. 110
14. Chris and Carine were close, best friends, ever since they were really little. He was protective over his little sister. Pg. 110
15. Chris inherited Billie's "angelic" features, like her eyes. Pg. 110
16. Chris was strong for his size and well coordinated. Pg. 110
17. Chris was the shortest person in his class most of the time. Pg. 110
18. Chris was not good at sports, he did not have patience for them. Pg. 110-111
19. Chris had natural talent, but only if he was taught how to do something he'd catch on. Pg. 111
20. Chris tackled things head on, he did not like strategy or method.
Walt & Billie
1. Walt is tall and solidly proportioned, he wears wire-rimmed glasses making him look professional. Pg. 103
2. Walt was NASA's project manager for the pioneering Seasat launch. Pg. 104
3. Walt is referred to as brilliant. Pg. 105
4. Walt grew up in Greeley, Colorado. Pg. 105
5. Walt won an academic scholarship to Colorado State University. Pg. 105
6. Walt and Billie are very close.
7. Walt and Billie started a consulting firm of which they worked on all day and all night. Pg. 107
8. Billie's childhood home was Iron Mountain Michigan. Pg. 108
9. Billie had 5 other siblings. Pg. 108
10. Billie's father did not fit in society, like this and many other ways, Loren, and Chris were very much alike. Pg. 108
This chapter slightly confuses me on my views between Chris and his parents. I feel like they should have understood him more. Billie's father loved being out in the wild and raising wildlife. Billie should have picked this up and accepted Chris for being like her father. And Walt would always take Chris out on hiking trips, and Chris would be stubborn and want to climb more, he did not want to give up and turn back, Walt even states on pg. 109, "The route above looked slabby, exposed, dangerous. 'I'd had it, OK," Walt explains,"But Chris wanted to keep going to the top. I told him no way. He was only twelve then, so all he could do was complain. If he'd been fourteen or fifteen, he would have simply gone on without me." Walt should have already known, that Chris had been an adventurous person. I really think when Chris listened to his parents in High School it was just to satisfy them, I feel that he knew when he had turned old enough he would do as he pleased. He originally stated that he did not want to go to college, his parents did not understand what he felt his purpose in life was. His parents told him that he needed to go to college, so he did, but as soon as he finished he was ready for his own journey.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Chapter 12 Question 42
I believe that Chris took the chances that he took because he carried an excitement for adventure, he had an addiction to fear. Chris wanted to live out the life style of transcendentalism. Thoreau and Emerson inspired him to live out the ways that they theorized about. As for his family, I think he was able to leave his family behind because he knew that they would never accept him. He was aware that they did not know who he really was so maybe he was convinced that they would never miss him. I do not understand how he was able to leave his sister unless he thought that it would better her situation. I know that I would never be able to leave any of my brothers or sisters unless I knew that it would be for their better. But in Chris' case I can not think of any reasons why leaving his little sister would better her.
If I was Chris' parents, I think I would be able to understand what Chris did for the most part. He was angry at them for scolding him about his first trip and telling him to never do anything like that again, so of course, he might have gone on the trip in spite of them. And I'm sure they understood because of the fact of how much they told him they were worried about him when he left on his first trip, they understoond why he didn't keep in contact for a little while, but I would not understand why he didn't keep in contact for about two years. That I would not understand ever, and I'm sure neither would anyone's parents.
If I was Carine, I would not beg Chris to stay. I would understand his reasoning to leaving and I would accept the fact that he was leaving. I would tell him that I did not care if he kept in contact with the family, but he would have to keep in contact with me, weekly, or even daily if possible. I would also tell him that if he was in any danger and he needed help, that he could call me and I would do my best of ability to help him. I would tell him that I love him, that I have always accepted him and I always will. Fully.
If I was Chris' parents, I think I would be able to understand what Chris did for the most part. He was angry at them for scolding him about his first trip and telling him to never do anything like that again, so of course, he might have gone on the trip in spite of them. And I'm sure they understood because of the fact of how much they told him they were worried about him when he left on his first trip, they understoond why he didn't keep in contact for a little while, but I would not understand why he didn't keep in contact for about two years. That I would not understand ever, and I'm sure neither would anyone's parents.
If I was Carine, I would not beg Chris to stay. I would understand his reasoning to leaving and I would accept the fact that he was leaving. I would tell him that I did not care if he kept in contact with the family, but he would have to keep in contact with me, weekly, or even daily if possible. I would also tell him that if he was in any danger and he needed help, that he could call me and I would do my best of ability to help him. I would tell him that I love him, that I have always accepted him and I always will. Fully.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Chapter 12 Question 41
After Chris' first road trip I think he learned that his parents would never grasp his true personality and nature. When he had gotten back his father yelled at him, he said that he was angry because both his father and mother were worried about him. Chris' father had not wanted him to ever do something like this again. His little sister excepted him and I think she understood that her parents would never fully accept him and she must've understood why he left. I definitely think that the way Chris' parents acted affected him, I think he left kind of in spite of them, and maybe if they would have accepted him than he would have kept in contact.
Chapter 10 Question 38
I believe that when Chris filled out his second W-2 form for work, that he put all real information in as opposed to his 1st one, because he knew Wayne a lot better through out the time that he worked there. Wayne and Chris developed a close relationship during the time that Chris had worked for Wayne. I think Chris felt safe with Wayne knowing all of his information, he trusted Wayne, and if anything had ended up happening to him, Wayne would have his information to help the police find Chris or identify who he was.
Chapter 8 Question 36
Gene Rosellini
Similarities
1. brilliant student pg.73
2. thought modern life was less than ideal pg. 74
3. had an alias pg. 73
4. had fixations on a harsh side of life pg. 74
5. disposed of all basic necessities pg.74
Differences
1. Gene probably took his own life pg. 75
2. He focused too much on hard work.
3. He was older than Chris when he went out pg. 75
4. Gene was prepared when he went out on his journey
5. Graduated college pg. 73
John Waterman
Similarities
1. Considered heroes pg. 77
2. Both risked their lives pg. 77
3. Both did not give up pg. 78
4. Had packed little food with them pg. 78
5. Were smart in common sense pg. 85
Differences
1. John had wanted to live a political life pg. 78
2. John was a conspiracy nut pg. 79
3. Planned journey in winter pg. 80
4. Some thought he was crazy
5. came unprepared to prove a point
Carl McCunn
Similarities
1. Brought guns pg. 81
2. Emotionally driven to journey on the odyssey
3. Good with girls
4. Kept journal entries of journey
5. Mislead friends when leaving for journey
Differences
1. Claimed own life pg. 84
2. Greater fear of dying
3. Greater romantic
4. Always relied on other people for help
5. Lied about where he was going
Similarities
1. brilliant student pg.73
2. thought modern life was less than ideal pg. 74
3. had an alias pg. 73
4. had fixations on a harsh side of life pg. 74
5. disposed of all basic necessities pg.74
Differences
1. Gene probably took his own life pg. 75
2. He focused too much on hard work.
3. He was older than Chris when he went out pg. 75
4. Gene was prepared when he went out on his journey
5. Graduated college pg. 73
John Waterman
Similarities
1. Considered heroes pg. 77
2. Both risked their lives pg. 77
3. Both did not give up pg. 78
4. Had packed little food with them pg. 78
5. Were smart in common sense pg. 85
Differences
1. John had wanted to live a political life pg. 78
2. John was a conspiracy nut pg. 79
3. Planned journey in winter pg. 80
4. Some thought he was crazy
5. came unprepared to prove a point
Carl McCunn
Similarities
1. Brought guns pg. 81
2. Emotionally driven to journey on the odyssey
3. Good with girls
4. Kept journal entries of journey
5. Mislead friends when leaving for journey
Differences
1. Claimed own life pg. 84
2. Greater fear of dying
3. Greater romantic
4. Always relied on other people for help
5. Lied about where he was going
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Chapter 8 Question 35
“Alex is a nut in my book. The author describes a man who has given away a small
fortune, forsaken a loving family, abandoned his car, watch and map and burned the last
of his money before traipsing of into the ‘wilderness’ west of Healy.”
- resident of Healy, Alaska
I agree with this quote because the steps Chris took to stay out in the wilderness, could have been approached a totally different way. Instead of giving all of his money away, he could have saved some, whether it be just in case he comes up along the way starving or for after he gets out of the wilderness. He could have wrote letters to all of his family members telling them what he was doing instead of leaving them to worry, even phone calls now and then, he did not have to tell them where he was, he could've just kept in contact with them. Next, Chris stayed in a bus for 113 days, if when he saw the bus and knew it would be that helpful, then why didn't he save his car when his car could have been a potential place to stay, he could've gotten it towed and gave it to a family that needed it. The watch was no biggy, but he should have kept the map so he could find ways out of the woods, before he died he wrote a letter saying he couldn't exit because the hike was too much for his injury, with the map he might've been able to find another exit that he could have handled. Chris was a smart guy, but he could've prepared a bit better.
“Personally I see nothing positive at all about Chris McCandless’s lifestyle or wilderness
doctrine. Entering the wilderness purposefully ill-prepared, and surviving a near-death
experience does not make you a better human, it makes you damn lucky.”
-resident of Healy, Alaska
I disagree with this quote. Yes he was ill-prepared, but there was plenty of positive in Chris McCandless's lifestyle, and his survival was definitely not just luck. First of all, there was meaning to Chris' journey. He did not just go out there because he thought it would be fun to try and fend for yourself. He went out into the wild because he was interested in Henry Thoreau and his theories of transcendentalism. Chris also wanted to practice out these ways. Chris did not want to know the time of day or how long he had been where he had been, he just wanted to take in the nature. He wanted to live off of creation. What exactly is wrong with that? If Chris' survival was luck, then he'd probably be alive still. He is not lucky that he ended up dead. To say that his survival was luck is rediculous. Chris hunted animals and kept himself warm. He found sources of food and shelter to stay under when it was too cold or the weather was too drastic to sleep under the stars. Surviving for 113 days, is not luck. It's skill. Chris was prepared in that he knew how to survive.
fortune, forsaken a loving family, abandoned his car, watch and map and burned the last
of his money before traipsing of into the ‘wilderness’ west of Healy.”
- resident of Healy, Alaska
I agree with this quote because the steps Chris took to stay out in the wilderness, could have been approached a totally different way. Instead of giving all of his money away, he could have saved some, whether it be just in case he comes up along the way starving or for after he gets out of the wilderness. He could have wrote letters to all of his family members telling them what he was doing instead of leaving them to worry, even phone calls now and then, he did not have to tell them where he was, he could've just kept in contact with them. Next, Chris stayed in a bus for 113 days, if when he saw the bus and knew it would be that helpful, then why didn't he save his car when his car could have been a potential place to stay, he could've gotten it towed and gave it to a family that needed it. The watch was no biggy, but he should have kept the map so he could find ways out of the woods, before he died he wrote a letter saying he couldn't exit because the hike was too much for his injury, with the map he might've been able to find another exit that he could have handled. Chris was a smart guy, but he could've prepared a bit better.
“Personally I see nothing positive at all about Chris McCandless’s lifestyle or wilderness
doctrine. Entering the wilderness purposefully ill-prepared, and surviving a near-death
experience does not make you a better human, it makes you damn lucky.”
-resident of Healy, Alaska
I disagree with this quote. Yes he was ill-prepared, but there was plenty of positive in Chris McCandless's lifestyle, and his survival was definitely not just luck. First of all, there was meaning to Chris' journey. He did not just go out there because he thought it would be fun to try and fend for yourself. He went out into the wild because he was interested in Henry Thoreau and his theories of transcendentalism. Chris also wanted to practice out these ways. Chris did not want to know the time of day or how long he had been where he had been, he just wanted to take in the nature. He wanted to live off of creation. What exactly is wrong with that? If Chris' survival was luck, then he'd probably be alive still. He is not lucky that he ended up dead. To say that his survival was luck is rediculous. Chris hunted animals and kept himself warm. He found sources of food and shelter to stay under when it was too cold or the weather was too drastic to sleep under the stars. Surviving for 113 days, is not luck. It's skill. Chris was prepared in that he knew how to survive.