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.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
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.
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