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.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Chapter 7 Question 34
1. Chris left work with Westerberg earlier then he intended.
2. Alex wasn't familiar with machinary.
3. According to people, Chris did not have a great deal of common sense
4. Chris was a good cook
5. Chris and his little sister Carine were close
6. Chris disowned his parents because they didn't fully accept him
7. Relationship were very important to Chris. He didn't sleep around.
8. Chastiry and moral purity were characteristics Chris possessed.
9. Chris had intentions of eventually getting married and having children.
10. Chris planned to write a book about his travels
11. Chris was "hungry" to learn about things.
12. Chris knew how to play the piano. Well.
13. When Chris left, he had about $1,000 with him.
14. Chris had carved pictures in his belt that had stories behind each.
15. Chris cried when he left, intending that he knew he had some big risks on the way.
16. On April 27th, 1992, Chris sent postcards to both Wayne and the Burres stating it would be the last they would hear from him.
2. Alex wasn't familiar with machinary.
3. According to people, Chris did not have a great deal of common sense
4. Chris was a good cook
5. Chris and his little sister Carine were close
6. Chris disowned his parents because they didn't fully accept him
7. Relationship were very important to Chris. He didn't sleep around.
8. Chastiry and moral purity were characteristics Chris possessed.
9. Chris had intentions of eventually getting married and having children.
10. Chris planned to write a book about his travels
11. Chris was "hungry" to learn about things.
12. Chris knew how to play the piano. Well.
13. When Chris left, he had about $1,000 with him.
14. Chris had carved pictures in his belt that had stories behind each.
15. Chris cried when he left, intending that he knew he had some big risks on the way.
16. On April 27th, 1992, Chris sent postcards to both Wayne and the Burres stating it would be the last they would hear from him.
Chapter 6&7 Question 33
Just as Thoreau, Chris was determined to do things on his own. "No. You don't get it. I'm going to San Diego. And I'm leaving on Monday" "Ok. I'll drive you there." "Don't be rediculous," McCandles scoffed.(pg. 52) Chris was a very intelligent, eduacated person, yet he wanted to live out transcendentalism. "Look, Mr. Franz," he declared, "you don't need to worry about me. I have a college education. I'm not destitute. I'm living like this by choice." (pg. 51)
Chapter 6 Question 32
I believe that Franz was affected to this extent by Chris because for one they spent so much time together. Franz saw that Chris was very intelligent. He cared enough for Chris to tell him that he needed to get an education and them him that he should be living much better than he was. Of course, Chris told him that this living style of his was his choice and that he had, had a college education. Franz was inspired to quit drinking cold turkey. He was inspired by Chris to live in the wild for a period of time with Chris. They developed a friendship. Franz loved Chris' kindness. Franz almost considered Chris a son, because of the relationship they had and Chris filled the missing spot where his children and wife used to be.
Chapter 5 Questions 27-31
27. Chris was like Jack London, because they both fantisized about surviving in the wild. The both dreamed about going on adventures and living with nature. They were not the same though because Jack only wrote about adventures, while Chris actually lived them.
28. The way that Chris prepared for Alaska was he would do calisthenic every morning to get into shape and he discussed back counrty survival strategies with Bob, who was a self-styled survivalist.
29. Chris accepts a ride to his destination, Chris accepts some knives, and he declines the money that is offered to him. This continues to show that he has no value for money and that he is determined to get around on his own. I also think he is trying to make a statement that he will not accept anything from anyone, he wants to earn everything.
30. -May of 1991, Chris departed from Las vegas
-December 9th, 1991, Chris heard from his friend Jan
31. Chris was very social. He had a good time with people. When he went to Niland he socialized with many people and made friends with every one of them. A girl fell in love with him, but he felt that she was too young for him.
28. The way that Chris prepared for Alaska was he would do calisthenic every morning to get into shape and he discussed back counrty survival strategies with Bob, who was a self-styled survivalist.
29. Chris accepts a ride to his destination, Chris accepts some knives, and he declines the money that is offered to him. This continues to show that he has no value for money and that he is determined to get around on his own. I also think he is trying to make a statement that he will not accept anything from anyone, he wants to earn everything.
30. -May of 1991, Chris departed from Las vegas
-December 9th, 1991, Chris heard from his friend Jan
31. Chris was very social. He had a good time with people. When he went to Niland he socialized with many people and made friends with every one of them. A girl fell in love with him, but he felt that she was too young for him.
Chapter 5 Questions 22-26
22. The place that Chris had stayed the longest was Bullhead City, Arizona. From what I read, he wrote to Wayne and from what he read, it seemed as if he had an idea of staying there for good. He liked the place and said it was a good place to stay during the winter. He had obtained a fulltime job at McDonald's and had even opened a bank account. I think he thought of this place as a potential home.
23. My reaction, is it is very weird that he obtained a fulltime job, and strayed away from his naturistic travels. Before he would only do work that was under the table and it was more labor than any cooking or serving jobs. It seems like maybe he thought about giving up. He stayed in this area for so long and he became a fulltime job owner and he also opened a savings account, intending he was saving for something.
24. At McDonalds, they have dresscode rules, they state that the employee must wear shoes AND socks. Chris hated to wear socks because he had feet problems and they always itched. When McDonald's confronted him, he started wearing socks, but the minute his shift was over he would rip them right off. This is individualism because he did not want people to think they could tell him what to do and also because he felt there was no need for himself to wear socks.
25. All of the colleagues views of him were quite interesting. One said that he was reliable in that he showed up at work everyday. Another person said that everyone there thought he was missing a couple of screws because he always talked about nature. One more person said that they didn't even know why he got hired because he worked at a slow pace and always stayed in the back. Chris didn't feel like he could be honest with his employees, and I think he was mad with them and that is why he just quit. If I worked with Chris I might think there was something a little odd about him, but I wouldn't judge, because you never know what is going on with that person's life.
26. Chris was friends with the Burres. He traveled with them to a camp ground and stayed in touch with them for a little bit. I think the reason why he got along with them is because they wanted to be alone, they moved to an abandoned campground and they liked to travel. They also did favors for eachother and were nice to one another.
23. My reaction, is it is very weird that he obtained a fulltime job, and strayed away from his naturistic travels. Before he would only do work that was under the table and it was more labor than any cooking or serving jobs. It seems like maybe he thought about giving up. He stayed in this area for so long and he became a fulltime job owner and he also opened a savings account, intending he was saving for something.
24. At McDonalds, they have dresscode rules, they state that the employee must wear shoes AND socks. Chris hated to wear socks because he had feet problems and they always itched. When McDonald's confronted him, he started wearing socks, but the minute his shift was over he would rip them right off. This is individualism because he did not want people to think they could tell him what to do and also because he felt there was no need for himself to wear socks.
25. All of the colleagues views of him were quite interesting. One said that he was reliable in that he showed up at work everyday. Another person said that everyone there thought he was missing a couple of screws because he always talked about nature. One more person said that they didn't even know why he got hired because he worked at a slow pace and always stayed in the back. Chris didn't feel like he could be honest with his employees, and I think he was mad with them and that is why he just quit. If I worked with Chris I might think there was something a little odd about him, but I wouldn't judge, because you never know what is going on with that person's life.
26. Chris was friends with the Burres. He traveled with them to a camp ground and stayed in touch with them for a little bit. I think the reason why he got along with them is because they wanted to be alone, they moved to an abandoned campground and they liked to travel. They also did favors for eachother and were nice to one another.
Evaluating Images
1. In the 5th picture, Chris McCandles is holding some sort of animal and in his other hand he has a rifle. There is a big smile on his face and he looks like he is somewhere in the woods. This picture shows that Chris must've been very happy at this period of time living in the wild. He was looking a bit scruffy, assuming he has not showered in a while. He also must've been happy about catching his own food.
2. In the 6th picture, It is the final self portrait of Chris McCandles. It is kind of weird because he is in a way waving at the camera, and in almost all of his other pictures, he is not waving. This is almost making me question if he was saying goodbye. He also seems quite happy. The picture doesn't say when it was taken ,but you can observe that before he died, whether it was a long period before or short, he was happy.
3. In the 8th picture, it is a picture of 142 Fairbank City bus location where Chris stayed for 113 days. It is crazy that he had survived in this location for this long. There is nothing, but trees, and the looks of a lake around him. If he wanted to live as a transcendentalist, this was truly the right place, maybe just not the way he came, slightly unprepared. Seeing this picture makes me admire Chris more because the conditions he lived under weren't that close to town.
4. In the 9th picture, it is a picture of Chris' yellow Datsun. Looking at this picture, I have no idea how Chris managed to get his car in that area. I feel as if he must've had to run over a lot of brush. Also the swamp, or lake that it is in does not look like its deep enought to flood the engine, so I am a little confused. I wonder if the car was moved for the picture.
5. In the 10th picture, it is a picture of Chris McCandles painting a house. When I saw this, I thought immediately about in the book when he was referenced as a good worker. Seeing this picture also proved it to me in sight. Chris always had an interesting expression in his pictures. I imagine he was always very happy doing what he was doing.
6. In the 11th picture, Chris is sitting between Wayne and a lady. He looks very happy and comfortable with these two people. His arms are around both of them and they look as if they are laughing. This picture tells me that Chris must've had a good relationship with Wayne. I also notice, at this time in Chris' travels, that he looks very clean.
7. In the 16th picture, It is an image of just the bus from the outside. The bus looks small and abandoned/ old. Looking at the bus, you can tell that the condition of it is so bad that it does not run. I have no idea how Chris kept warm on this bus and lived here for 113 days. The area around the bus looks abandoned and lonely. I can't imagine being by myself for that long.
8. In the 19th picture, Chris is roasting or cooking two animals. I am not sure what the animals are, but he looks very proud of himself to have caught them. This picture brings out Chris' intelligence. Not only was he able to catch BOTH of these animals, but he found a way to cook them so that they were clean and would not give him a disease.
9. In the 24th/25th picture, it is a picture of Chris' journal entry. In this entry he says it is the 100th day and he is in the weakest condition in his life and he is no longer able to make his way out of the woods. He now says he is trapped, indicating that he no longer wants to be in the woods. He is able to admit that there is a possibility of death. There is only a matter now of him accepting it.
10. In the 29th picture, Chris is making a goofy face and holding up one of his catches of food. This picture shows that Chris had a sense of humor. It also showed that his personality didn't change when he was alone. The only thing that strikes me in all of these pictures, is the fact that he traveled alone and there are all of these pictures of him. Who took the pictures of him...?
2. In the 6th picture, It is the final self portrait of Chris McCandles. It is kind of weird because he is in a way waving at the camera, and in almost all of his other pictures, he is not waving. This is almost making me question if he was saying goodbye. He also seems quite happy. The picture doesn't say when it was taken ,but you can observe that before he died, whether it was a long period before or short, he was happy.
3. In the 8th picture, it is a picture of 142 Fairbank City bus location where Chris stayed for 113 days. It is crazy that he had survived in this location for this long. There is nothing, but trees, and the looks of a lake around him. If he wanted to live as a transcendentalist, this was truly the right place, maybe just not the way he came, slightly unprepared. Seeing this picture makes me admire Chris more because the conditions he lived under weren't that close to town.
4. In the 9th picture, it is a picture of Chris' yellow Datsun. Looking at this picture, I have no idea how Chris managed to get his car in that area. I feel as if he must've had to run over a lot of brush. Also the swamp, or lake that it is in does not look like its deep enought to flood the engine, so I am a little confused. I wonder if the car was moved for the picture.
5. In the 10th picture, it is a picture of Chris McCandles painting a house. When I saw this, I thought immediately about in the book when he was referenced as a good worker. Seeing this picture also proved it to me in sight. Chris always had an interesting expression in his pictures. I imagine he was always very happy doing what he was doing.
6. In the 11th picture, Chris is sitting between Wayne and a lady. He looks very happy and comfortable with these two people. His arms are around both of them and they look as if they are laughing. This picture tells me that Chris must've had a good relationship with Wayne. I also notice, at this time in Chris' travels, that he looks very clean.
7. In the 16th picture, It is an image of just the bus from the outside. The bus looks small and abandoned/ old. Looking at the bus, you can tell that the condition of it is so bad that it does not run. I have no idea how Chris kept warm on this bus and lived here for 113 days. The area around the bus looks abandoned and lonely. I can't imagine being by myself for that long.
8. In the 19th picture, Chris is roasting or cooking two animals. I am not sure what the animals are, but he looks very proud of himself to have caught them. This picture brings out Chris' intelligence. Not only was he able to catch BOTH of these animals, but he found a way to cook them so that they were clean and would not give him a disease.
9. In the 24th/25th picture, it is a picture of Chris' journal entry. In this entry he says it is the 100th day and he is in the weakest condition in his life and he is no longer able to make his way out of the woods. He now says he is trapped, indicating that he no longer wants to be in the woods. He is able to admit that there is a possibility of death. There is only a matter now of him accepting it.
10. In the 29th picture, Chris is making a goofy face and holding up one of his catches of food. This picture shows that Chris had a sense of humor. It also showed that his personality didn't change when he was alone. The only thing that strikes me in all of these pictures, is the fact that he traveled alone and there are all of these pictures of him. Who took the pictures of him...?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Chapter 4 Questions 13-20
13. Chris took Thoreau's piece of work, On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, as the "gospel" because he wanted to live out the ways of Thoreau in a sense. Chris studied Thoreau throughout college, and developed an admiration for him. He was inspired to the live the ways of Thoreau. "Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once?" Thoreau talks about laws being unjust, and that if you think they unjust then you do not have to follow them. He basically says that a good government is no government. "Ignoring posted warnings that off-road driving is strictly forbidden, McCandles steered the Datsun off the pavement where it crossed a broad, sandy wash." In Chris' endeavors, he follows Thoreau's way of thinking by completely disobeying the signs that tell him he is prohibited from driving in that area. The element seen in On the Duty of Civil Disobedience is moral enthusiasm.
14. Krakauer believed that Chris burning his money would do Thoreau proud because Thoreau did not believe in government and money has everything to do with government. Without the government, money would have no value, and nothing could be bought with it. Thoreau also states that the government is like a prison to man. This could reference that a person cannot buy certain material things because they do not have the money, but Chris burning his money would suggest that he did not want any material items, also saying that he thought nothing other than nature was important. And finally Thoreau states in his writing that to live with money, you can not truely live comfortably.
15. The definition of tramp according to the english dictionary as a noun and verb is : 1. to walk long and far; hike. 4. to make ( a journey ) or traverse ( a place ), on foot labriously or wearily. 7. A person who travels on foot, usually with no permanent home, living by begging or doing casual work. I would say after looking at the definition, this name almost perfectly matches Chris, since he is on a journey, he has no home and he is traveling constantly to explore nature.
16. Krakauer is able to tell us about the events that happened during Chris' travels because Chris kept a journal-snapshot album that he later left with Wayne Westerberg.
17. In order to prepare himself for his Alaskan "odyssey" throughout Chapter 4, Chris documented his travels yet far by writing about his personal experiences and taking pictures. He traveled around Mexico and Southwest America. He gained food by sea, and also had already been carrying rice, and last, but not least, he sent any letter necessary before journeying out for good.
18. In this chapter, we learn that Chris' parents haven't heard from him for 2 years. They are greatly worried about him since he never told them where he was going or when he was coming back. They called the police to report him missing and an investigator found out that he had donated a large sum of money to the organization OXFAM. His parents mentioned that his actions were out of character and they could not understand why he did any of the things he did.
19.
1.July 6th, 1990: Chris arrived at Lake Mead and violated the warning signs that said not to drive in that area. He lost his car because his engine flooded.
2.August 10th, 1990: Chris received a ticket because he was not supposed to be hitch hiking. Because he had not real adress it was forwarded to his parent adress.
3.October, 1990: Chris' yellow Datsun was found. His parents could not understand why he would abandon the car when he loved it so much and saved up for it with his own money. The car was later used for drug busts.
4. October 28th, 1990: Chris caught a ride with a trucker up to Needle, California. In Arizona he bought a canoe to cross the border into Mexico.
5. December 2nd, 1990: He reached a dam and Mexican border, he had no identification so he was worried that they would not let him in. He was able to sneak into mexico.
6. December 14th, 1990: set up camp on the beach shore and stayed there for 10 days.
7. January 18th, 1991: Chris was caught by immigration authorities trying to sneak back into the U.S.
8. Febuary 24th. 1991: It had been 7 months since Chris abandoned his Datsun.
20. Chris' journal writing style was a bit peculiar, he wrote in third person as if telling someone elses story. His writing was also very simple, straight to the point, and he did not really opinionate topics in his journal.
14. Krakauer believed that Chris burning his money would do Thoreau proud because Thoreau did not believe in government and money has everything to do with government. Without the government, money would have no value, and nothing could be bought with it. Thoreau also states that the government is like a prison to man. This could reference that a person cannot buy certain material things because they do not have the money, but Chris burning his money would suggest that he did not want any material items, also saying that he thought nothing other than nature was important. And finally Thoreau states in his writing that to live with money, you can not truely live comfortably.
15. The definition of tramp according to the english dictionary as a noun and verb is : 1. to walk long and far; hike. 4. to make ( a journey ) or traverse ( a place ), on foot labriously or wearily. 7. A person who travels on foot, usually with no permanent home, living by begging or doing casual work. I would say after looking at the definition, this name almost perfectly matches Chris, since he is on a journey, he has no home and he is traveling constantly to explore nature.
16. Krakauer is able to tell us about the events that happened during Chris' travels because Chris kept a journal-snapshot album that he later left with Wayne Westerberg.
17. In order to prepare himself for his Alaskan "odyssey" throughout Chapter 4, Chris documented his travels yet far by writing about his personal experiences and taking pictures. He traveled around Mexico and Southwest America. He gained food by sea, and also had already been carrying rice, and last, but not least, he sent any letter necessary before journeying out for good.
18. In this chapter, we learn that Chris' parents haven't heard from him for 2 years. They are greatly worried about him since he never told them where he was going or when he was coming back. They called the police to report him missing and an investigator found out that he had donated a large sum of money to the organization OXFAM. His parents mentioned that his actions were out of character and they could not understand why he did any of the things he did.
19.
1.July 6th, 1990: Chris arrived at Lake Mead and violated the warning signs that said not to drive in that area. He lost his car because his engine flooded.
2.August 10th, 1990: Chris received a ticket because he was not supposed to be hitch hiking. Because he had not real adress it was forwarded to his parent adress.
3.October, 1990: Chris' yellow Datsun was found. His parents could not understand why he would abandon the car when he loved it so much and saved up for it with his own money. The car was later used for drug busts.
4. October 28th, 1990: Chris caught a ride with a trucker up to Needle, California. In Arizona he bought a canoe to cross the border into Mexico.
5. December 2nd, 1990: He reached a dam and Mexican border, he had no identification so he was worried that they would not let him in. He was able to sneak into mexico.
6. December 14th, 1990: set up camp on the beach shore and stayed there for 10 days.
7. January 18th, 1991: Chris was caught by immigration authorities trying to sneak back into the U.S.
8. Febuary 24th. 1991: It had been 7 months since Chris abandoned his Datsun.
20. Chris' journal writing style was a bit peculiar, he wrote in third person as if telling someone elses story. His writing was also very simple, straight to the point, and he did not really opinionate topics in his journal.
Chapter 4 Questions 11-20
11. Chris abandoned his car because the engine was flooded out and he did not have the patience to fix it.
12. The "giddy Emersonian high" that Krakauer writes about is referencing the danger and excitement that Chris thrives for. When Chris first came to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, he had ignored warnings stating that he was in a off road, driving strictly forbidden areas. This applies to transcendentalism because you are supposed to live free with your own will, obeying nobody's rules, but yourselves. Chris is applying concepts of transcendentalism by living individually and independently. Throught his journies he is discovering his true being and living it out for no one, but himself.
12. The "giddy Emersonian high" that Krakauer writes about is referencing the danger and excitement that Chris thrives for. When Chris first came to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, he had ignored warnings stating that he was in a off road, driving strictly forbidden areas. This applies to transcendentalism because you are supposed to live free with your own will, obeying nobody's rules, but yourselves. Chris is applying concepts of transcendentalism by living individually and independently. Throught his journies he is discovering his true being and living it out for no one, but himself.
Chapter 3 Question 4
After thinking about the story, and going through each of these questions, my view has slightly changed. I am alittle confused on what I really think Chris' intentions were when going into the wild. He gave away everything he owned and saved nothing. He told no one where he was going, almost as if he never wanted to be found. Before I was set on the thinking that maybe he just wanted to live day by day and not worry about the future. In his own way though, he was worrying about the future by getting rid of everything he had. If he had intentions of coming out of the woods, then wouldn't he have saved some of the things he owned. $25,000 is a lot of money, he could've donated half and saved the other half for when he came out of the woods, unless he had no intention of coming out. I think Emerson and Thoreau would admire Chris' ambition, but I think they would frown upon him for foolishly going into the wild unprepared and without telling anyone. Chris is different from Emerson, because Chris actually lived out transcendentalism, whereas Emerson just wrote his theories about it. Chris is different from Thoreau because Thoreau went somewhere, where he intended to go into town once in a while to interact with people and to get supplies, he also told people where he was going. Chris did the exact opposite, Chris did not tell anyone where he was going, he did not intend on going into town to get supplies or interact with people, and he did not bring money to buy food or supplies.
Chapter 3 Question 3
My reaction to Chris' last note to his family is that there is not much in the letter for someone who has not talked to their parents in that long amount of time. I feel his relationship could be strained or he just does not have that much in common with his parents. His letter specifically mentions grades and a brief summary of how he is doing. He does not tell them any major events that have happened and he does not really mention what he is doing after college. He tells then he going to disappear for a while. He does not give them a specific amount of time and he does not tell them where he is going. I am not really that he intended anything. I think his motive might have been simply to just go with the flow and cross the bridge when he reached it. This somewhat fits his way of thinking. He said he did not want to know what day it was or what time. So I feel his way of thinking is to worry about now and now about later.
Chapter 3 Question 2
1.When Chris left he told nobody.
2.Chris abandoned his car because the engine became flooded.
3.Before Chris died he wrote an s.o.s. letter for some last hope of help.
4.Before journeying off into the woods, Jim gave Chris 4 sandwiches, sturdy boots, and his number.
5.For a number of days Chris stayed in an abandon bus.
6.Researchers think Chrismight've died from starvation.
7.Chris' body was found in the bus wrapped up in a sleeping bag.
8.When Chris worked for Wayne, Wayne said he was up for everything and never gave up on a job.
9.When Chris worked for Wayne, the people in the area grew to love him
10.'Chris was smallish with the hard, stringy physique of an itinerant laborer.'
11.Dark and emotive eyes suggested he was Greek or Chippewa
12.He had sensitive good looks that women made a big fuss over
13.Chris wore steel-rimmed glasses
14.He had a mouth of horsy teeth.
15.Chris' facial expressions possessed a strange elasticity.
16.Jim, the truck driver, said he could that Chris was educated because he had intellectual views and used intelligent words.
17.Chris changed his name to Alex Supertramp.
18.Chris grew up in Virginia and moved to Washington D.C.
19.The Charity that Chris donated to was a Charity called OXFAM, thats dedicated to fighting hunger
20.The car that Chris had was a yellow Datsun.
2.Chris abandoned his car because the engine became flooded.
3.Before Chris died he wrote an s.o.s. letter for some last hope of help.
4.Before journeying off into the woods, Jim gave Chris 4 sandwiches, sturdy boots, and his number.
5.For a number of days Chris stayed in an abandon bus.
6.Researchers think Chrismight've died from starvation.
7.Chris' body was found in the bus wrapped up in a sleeping bag.
8.When Chris worked for Wayne, Wayne said he was up for everything and never gave up on a job.
9.When Chris worked for Wayne, the people in the area grew to love him
10.'Chris was smallish with the hard, stringy physique of an itinerant laborer.'
11.Dark and emotive eyes suggested he was Greek or Chippewa
12.He had sensitive good looks that women made a big fuss over
13.Chris wore steel-rimmed glasses
14.He had a mouth of horsy teeth.
15.Chris' facial expressions possessed a strange elasticity.
16.Jim, the truck driver, said he could that Chris was educated because he had intellectual views and used intelligent words.
17.Chris changed his name to Alex Supertramp.
18.Chris grew up in Virginia and moved to Washington D.C.
19.The Charity that Chris donated to was a Charity called OXFAM, thats dedicated to fighting hunger
20.The car that Chris had was a yellow Datsun.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Chapter 3 Question 1
This quote applies to Chris McCandles greatly. This is probably why he highlighted it. In the quote it mentions living dangerously and with excitement. Chris's idea of living dangerously and with excitement was probably going out into the wild and surviving without many supplies. It was the risk of going out with nothing but living off the land that most likely excited him. The quote also mentions sacrificing yourself for love, and Chris was in love with the nature and he was going to sacrifice himself, even if it meant dying in the wilderness.
Yes this quote speaks to me. I think anyone and everyone can relate to this quote. I feel everyone wants excitement and danger in their life. Even if its a little excitement and danger like a rollercoaster to big things like skydiving or even more risky events.
Yes this quote speaks to me. I think anyone and everyone can relate to this quote. I feel everyone wants excitement and danger in their life. Even if its a little excitement and danger like a rollercoaster to big things like skydiving or even more risky events.
Chapter 2 Question 2
When I read Chris McCandles S.O.S. it made me think in a sense that he had given up on himself surviving in the wild, I feel like at that point he probably would not try to do much more to survive. If you think about it, he did not want anyone to know where he was in the beginning and if he had wanted to be independent and fight every obstacle that he came across on his own. Now he was asking for help. He was helpless, he was scared. At this point, he had given up on being in the wild. One thing does not really make sense to me though. He said that he was too weak to hike out to the road, yet he was walking around looking for berries. I really think he just didn't have the will power to make it to the road, and again he was giving up on himself.
Chapter 2 Question 1
I think Jon Krakauer's idea to start the book at the end is clever, because as much as the ending is spoiling the rest of the story, telling you that he dies, as the story is told backwards, you learn much more about the character and how he got to where he was. It helps with most likely the way that he wanted to develop Chris McCandles as a dynamic character. The only thing that I do not like about the book starting in the middle, is in some of the chapters, it'll start off in the most random spot, and I have no idea what the point of that information in the book is until I get to the middle of the chapter. This bothers me because I lose interest in the book when I do not know what is going around. Yes I would consider writing a book this way to spark more interest. Sometimes knowing the end is the best part and then you can piece together the story as your going, kind of like a mystery.
Chapter 1 Question 2
I personally think that Chris thought that he could survive in the wilderness with what little he had. I think he believed this because when Jim, the trucker, questioned the supplies that Chris had with him, in looking that he had not come prepared to stay in the wild for a number of days, Chris had shrugged it off as if it was not a big deal, and he did not except anything offered to him except for a few sandwiches and a pair of sturdy boots.
When Chris went into the woods, I don't really think that he intended anything. In one of his entries, he wrote saying "if I come out of this...." and "if I dont come out of this then..." I think he didn't really care whether his outcome was life or death, he really just wanted a true transcendentalist experience.
When Chris went into the woods, I don't really think that he intended anything. In one of his entries, he wrote saying "if I come out of this...." and "if I dont come out of this then..." I think he didn't really care whether his outcome was life or death, he really just wanted a true transcendentalist experience.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Author's Note Question 2
To say Chris McCandles was a "wacko" or "a narcississt who perished out of stupidity" would not be the correct usage of words. Yes, it was immature and ignorant of him to leave straight out of college and not to tell anyone he was leaving or where he was going, but in a spiritual sense, he wanted to be independent, on his own, and thriving with nature. The possibility of someone dying soon after going to survive in the nature with little but the two hands you were given at birth, it is greatly surprising that he even survived as long as 4 months. He is noble in that he would want to be one with nature and live life to the fullest using the purest resources he could. But at a level of stupidity, he did not tell anyone where he was going and how long he was going to be there. I feel that he might still be alive if someone was going to keep in contact with him.
Author's Note Question 1
In the Author's Note, I believe that this book was dedicated entirely to Chris McCandles because of the way he lived his life. At the early age of 21-22, Christopher gave up luxuries and material items, that most people of that age would not be able to pass up. Just graduating from college, instead of pursuing a career he decided to dedicate his life to nature. He is a model human being in that he donated the $25,000 that he had (that was all that he had) to charity, gave up anything that would hold him back from living life as a transcendentalist. Before Jon Krakauer, published his book, Into the Wild, he published an article in a magazine, Outside, stating the way Chris lived his life, and the mysterious way of death. This article would be read by many people, and the amount of feedback would be the most that an article would ever receive. So yes, Chris, I feel is a role model, and noteworthy because he took into action what most philosophers can not like Thoreau developing theories, but not actually taking the actual experience. Chris went into the wild and lived as an individual and tried to find his inner being by being a transcendentalist.