The epilogue starts off with a quote from Edward Whymper about doing nothing in haste, followed by a quote from Annie Dillard about how the most important things are your thoughts and your heart.
Initially, I though McCandless was just a regular, young guy who loved to hike and had strong ideas against rules, the government, and modern society. Some people, like myself, think the same way as Chris in that sense, so I thought nothing of it. But throughout the story, I learned that Chris definitely had odd behaviors and was also ignorant, which led me to question his mental condition, although there is no concrete evidence to prove whether or not he was actually crazy.
I was surprised Chris's parents didn't cry while they visited the bus, because I feel like that would be the most emotional thing, after finding out about his death of course. But I think it was really good for them to visit it so they could have a sense of closure. The way the author describes their every move in the bus really makes the reader feel like they are there. I think it's very cool how Chris's dad put up a plaque in the bus, and how his mom put a first aid kit and spare food in there. She also left a note saying, "Call your parents as soon as possible." It makes me wonder if Chris would have called his parents if he had come across a note like that
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Chapters 16-18: Into the Alaskan Wild
In Chapter 16, there is a quote from Estwick Evans about experiencing the pleasure of danger and suffering, followed by a quote from Roderick Nash about wilderness being an escape from society. Chapter 17's epigraph includes a quote from Henry David Thoreau saying that nature is savage and awful, though beautiful. Chapter 18 has a quote from John M Campbell about how hard it is to live by hunting, and a quote from Boris Pasternak about the idea of life as a sacrifice.
It is hard to say whether McCandless was crazy. I can definitely see why people would suggest that he was. Many people McCandless met during his travels said that it seemed like he had a couple screws loose. Since he acted on impulse, had odd behaviors, and had a hard time staying in touch with reality, it seems like Chris may have had something like schizophrenia. But, it's impossible to decide that kind of thing without knowing him personally.
I think Chris was definitely ignorant. While he was constantly thinking and had a lot of great ideas, he had a gap in his thinking. He underestimated Alaska and always thought that he could handle anything thrown at him. He didn't like being coached or receiving instruction. That ignorance led him to his death since he didn't take hunting tips or accept extra clothes from Jan.
No one will ever know for sure whether McCandless had a death wish. I personally don't think he was suicidal in any way, but I do think he didn't really care whether he died, which is why he was way under packed. I think that as long as he got to experience the wild in Alaska, then Chris felt as though his life was fulfilled.
Based off of the evidence the author provided, I think the wild sweet peas and wild potatoes McCandless ate were toxic. The author spent a long time looking into this, and he came to the conclusion that McCandless ate moldy seeds, which caused him to starve more than he already had, and weakened him until he ultimately met his death. This makes sense because Chris' health suddenly declined after eating those seeds, and he even wrote that it was the "FAULT OF POT. SEED" (page 189).
It is hard to say whether McCandless was crazy. I can definitely see why people would suggest that he was. Many people McCandless met during his travels said that it seemed like he had a couple screws loose. Since he acted on impulse, had odd behaviors, and had a hard time staying in touch with reality, it seems like Chris may have had something like schizophrenia. But, it's impossible to decide that kind of thing without knowing him personally.
I think Chris was definitely ignorant. While he was constantly thinking and had a lot of great ideas, he had a gap in his thinking. He underestimated Alaska and always thought that he could handle anything thrown at him. He didn't like being coached or receiving instruction. That ignorance led him to his death since he didn't take hunting tips or accept extra clothes from Jan.
No one will ever know for sure whether McCandless had a death wish. I personally don't think he was suicidal in any way, but I do think he didn't really care whether he died, which is why he was way under packed. I think that as long as he got to experience the wild in Alaska, then Chris felt as though his life was fulfilled.
Based off of the evidence the author provided, I think the wild sweet peas and wild potatoes McCandless ate were toxic. The author spent a long time looking into this, and he came to the conclusion that McCandless ate moldy seeds, which caused him to starve more than he already had, and weakened him until he ultimately met his death. This makes sense because Chris' health suddenly declined after eating those seeds, and he even wrote that it was the "FAULT OF POT. SEED" (page 189).
Chapters 14 and 15: Krakauer Interjects
Chapter 14 starts with a quote about climbing by John Menlove Edwards, and a quote from Henry David Thoreau. In Chapter 15, there are quotes from The Mountains of California and The Dead Father.
Krakauer talks about himself in these two chapters to relate his life to McCandless's. He does this by talking about when he went climbing in Alaska when he was in his early twenties. I think he wanted to give his personal views on McCandless and also show the readers that he has been in a similar position that McCandless was in, and therefore understands McCandless's place to some degree.
I usually like Krakauer's interjections because they put things in perspective and help the reader to better understand how people like McCandless think. It also makes McCandless more relatable by comparing his life to that of others. However, sometimes his interjections provide unnecessary detail and can therefore be boring.
I was very surprised that Krakauer had climbed the Devil's Thumb and survived. I think he survived because he was way more prepared than McCandless was. Now I really understand why Krakauer was so fascinated by McCandless's story and decided to write a book about him.
As children, both Krakauer and McCandless disliked authority and pursued their interests with extreme enthusiasm. They both went to Alaska in their early twenties to experience the wilderness. Both of them had strained relationships with their fathers and couldn't live up to their father's expectations. They both went off on their own as well.
I don't think that climbing is always a psycho-neurotic tendency. I think that some people climb for sport, while others climb to find refuge from their inner problems. Some people probably climb for both of those reason. Everyone has their own personal reasons for doing the things they do.
It is hard to say whether Edwards defines McCandless because you can't really define someone without personally knowing them. Based off the evidence provided in this book, I think that McCandless definitely had times where he showed psycho-neurotic tendencies. He would often act on compulsion when deciding to leave towns and such.
Krakauer talks about himself in these two chapters to relate his life to McCandless's. He does this by talking about when he went climbing in Alaska when he was in his early twenties. I think he wanted to give his personal views on McCandless and also show the readers that he has been in a similar position that McCandless was in, and therefore understands McCandless's place to some degree.
I usually like Krakauer's interjections because they put things in perspective and help the reader to better understand how people like McCandless think. It also makes McCandless more relatable by comparing his life to that of others. However, sometimes his interjections provide unnecessary detail and can therefore be boring.
I was very surprised that Krakauer had climbed the Devil's Thumb and survived. I think he survived because he was way more prepared than McCandless was. Now I really understand why Krakauer was so fascinated by McCandless's story and decided to write a book about him.
As children, both Krakauer and McCandless disliked authority and pursued their interests with extreme enthusiasm. They both went to Alaska in their early twenties to experience the wilderness. Both of them had strained relationships with their fathers and couldn't live up to their father's expectations. They both went off on their own as well.
I don't think that climbing is always a psycho-neurotic tendency. I think that some people climb for sport, while others climb to find refuge from their inner problems. Some people probably climb for both of those reason. Everyone has their own personal reasons for doing the things they do.
It is hard to say whether Edwards defines McCandless because you can't really define someone without personally knowing them. Based off the evidence provided in this book, I think that McCandless definitely had times where he showed psycho-neurotic tendencies. He would often act on compulsion when deciding to leave towns and such.
Chapters 11-13: Family History
The epigraph in Chapter 11 is a quote that McCandless highlighted about needing a purpose. In Chapter 12, there's another quote McCandless highlighted, but this one is about wanting truth instead of money and fame. Chapter 13 starts with a quote from The Stars, the Snow, the Fire: Twenty-Five Years in the Northern Wilderness.
As a child and teen, McCandless was very smart and fearless. He began backpacking at age eight and loved it ever since. He always had an adventurous soul. As a teen, he began objecting to rules. McCandless had a lot of natural talent, but he would put up a wall if people tried to coach him. His personality had always been puzzling. I think those were all indications as to who he would become, because he was very similar as an adult to how he was as a child.
I think I am a lot different than I was as a child. When I was younger, I thought the most important things in life were having friends and getting good grades. Now, I prefer to keep my friend circle small and I don't care about getting good grades, even though I still get them. I wanted to be a doctor, live in a foreign country and have a family some day. Now, I want a simple job, to stay in the U.S., and I want to live either alone or with one other person. However, certain aspects of my personality have remained the same throughout my life, such as my stubbornness, independence, my love of proving people wrong, and my tendencies to do things differently than most people would.
As a child and teen, McCandless was very smart and fearless. He began backpacking at age eight and loved it ever since. He always had an adventurous soul. As a teen, he began objecting to rules. McCandless had a lot of natural talent, but he would put up a wall if people tried to coach him. His personality had always been puzzling. I think those were all indications as to who he would become, because he was very similar as an adult to how he was as a child.
I think I am a lot different than I was as a child. When I was younger, I thought the most important things in life were having friends and getting good grades. Now, I prefer to keep my friend circle small and I don't care about getting good grades, even though I still get them. I wanted to be a doctor, live in a foreign country and have a family some day. Now, I want a simple job, to stay in the U.S., and I want to live either alone or with one other person. However, certain aspects of my personality have remained the same throughout my life, such as my stubbornness, independence, my love of proving people wrong, and my tendencies to do things differently than most people would.
Chapters 8-10: The Outcasts
Chapter 8 starts off with quotes from "In Search of the Miraculous" and "Up the Black to Chalkytsik." Chapter 9's epigraph is of a letter written by Everett Reuss, followed by a quote from Mormon Country. In Chapter 10, there is a news report by the New York Times about the death of a hiker, which is McCandless.
A close-up map of the border of Arizona and Utah starts Chapter 9. his map shows the Colorado River, Grand Canyon, and the Navajo Indian Reservation.
The function of these chapters in the give examples of other people who had the same mindset as McCandless, and show how they all died a mysterious death that was almost always caused by ignorance.
I think Krakauer interrupted the story with Chapters 8 and 9 to give examples of other people who were very similar to McCandless and suffered the same fate. I think it was to compare each of those people and give some insight as to what all of those people felt, thought, and experienced.
I wasn't really surprised that McCandless left trails so that the authorities could find out who he was. The reason I wasn't surprised is because even though he was still angry at hi biological family, he knew his trip could be fatal and I think he wanted people like his sister, Westerberg, Jan Burres, and Ronald Franz to know if he passed.
I don't think names really have any significant meaning other than being a way to identify people. I think that people grow into a name during their life and it just becomes them. I don't know if my name 'fits' me, but I've grown into it. However, I don't really like my name because it's very common. But, I wouldn't change it simply because I've grown into it.
A close-up map of the border of Arizona and Utah starts Chapter 9. his map shows the Colorado River, Grand Canyon, and the Navajo Indian Reservation.
The function of these chapters in the give examples of other people who had the same mindset as McCandless, and show how they all died a mysterious death that was almost always caused by ignorance.
I think Krakauer interrupted the story with Chapters 8 and 9 to give examples of other people who were very similar to McCandless and suffered the same fate. I think it was to compare each of those people and give some insight as to what all of those people felt, thought, and experienced.
I wasn't really surprised that McCandless left trails so that the authorities could find out who he was. The reason I wasn't surprised is because even though he was still angry at hi biological family, he knew his trip could be fatal and I think he wanted people like his sister, Westerberg, Jan Burres, and Ronald Franz to know if he passed.
I don't think names really have any significant meaning other than being a way to identify people. I think that people grow into a name during their life and it just becomes them. I don't know if my name 'fits' me, but I've grown into it. However, I don't really like my name because it's very common. But, I wouldn't change it simply because I've grown into it.
Chapter 4-7: The Journey
The epigraph in Chapter 4 compares the environment of the desert to others, such as the countryside and forest. Chapter 5 starts off with a quote from Jack London about the "dominant primordial beast." In Chapter 6, there's a quote from Walden, or Life in the Woods. Chapter 7's epigraph includes a quote from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and a quote about how many creative people prefer to live solitary lives.
Chapter 4 starts off with a map of the western border of Arizona, where the Colorado river runs.
A list of people McCandless met along the way in these chapters: Crazy Ernie, Jan Burres and her boyfriend Bob, Wayne Westerberg, people in Mexico, Thomas and Karin, Charlie, Tracy, and Ronald Franz.
McCandless was very friendly and easily got along with people. He had amazing stories from all the places he traveled to, and people always remembered them. He also had a lot of ideas and extreme views against laws and the government, which other people found interesting.
I think Alex wrote his journal in the third person because he wanted his journal to sound more like a story. Or, maybe he considered Alex to be his sort of alter-ego, so he wrote as if Alex was a separate person.
The purpose of Chapter 4 was to give more insight as to what Chris was like, who he met during his travels, and where he was during the time between when he left Atlanta, and when he traveled to Alaska.
Ronald Franz was a very kind old man. He definitely had my sympathy because his wife and only child were killed while he was fighting overseas. He became so lonely after that incident that he began taking in orphans and raising them. I think he was truly a good man who had been through a lot and just wanted company.
Since Alex and his dad were both stubborn and high-strung, it makes sense that they butt heads. Since Alex was very independent, he hated his dad's need to control him. He thought his parent's lifestyle was hypocritical and that they wouldn't ever let him do his own thing. I can understand why Alex was angry after all those years, but at the same time, I think he failed to realize how much worse it could have been. I think that Alex got caught-up in something that happened between him and his dad, and that he was unable to let go of his anger after that.
Chapter 4 starts off with a map of the western border of Arizona, where the Colorado river runs.
A list of people McCandless met along the way in these chapters: Crazy Ernie, Jan Burres and her boyfriend Bob, Wayne Westerberg, people in Mexico, Thomas and Karin, Charlie, Tracy, and Ronald Franz.
McCandless was very friendly and easily got along with people. He had amazing stories from all the places he traveled to, and people always remembered them. He also had a lot of ideas and extreme views against laws and the government, which other people found interesting.
I think Alex wrote his journal in the third person because he wanted his journal to sound more like a story. Or, maybe he considered Alex to be his sort of alter-ego, so he wrote as if Alex was a separate person.
The purpose of Chapter 4 was to give more insight as to what Chris was like, who he met during his travels, and where he was during the time between when he left Atlanta, and when he traveled to Alaska.
Ronald Franz was a very kind old man. He definitely had my sympathy because his wife and only child were killed while he was fighting overseas. He became so lonely after that incident that he began taking in orphans and raising them. I think he was truly a good man who had been through a lot and just wanted company.
Since Alex and his dad were both stubborn and high-strung, it makes sense that they butt heads. Since Alex was very independent, he hated his dad's need to control him. He thought his parent's lifestyle was hypocritical and that they wouldn't ever let him do his own thing. I can understand why Alex was angry after all those years, but at the same time, I think he failed to realize how much worse it could have been. I think that Alex got caught-up in something that happened between him and his dad, and that he was unable to let go of his anger after that.
Chapter 3: Home
The first quote in the epigraph was highlighted in a book of Chris's. It talks about wanting excitement and danger in life. The second quote talks about how the idea of absolute freedom exhilarates humans.
Westerberg was a smart, kind man. He mastered many professions and was extremely talented. He also helped house and employ lots of hitchhikers over the years. He seemed very respectful and never pried into people's business.
Everyone who met McCandless said he was very intelligent and had amazing stories from his travels. He set very high standards for himself and was extremely ethical. He had a huge interest in the wild and wanted to live off of the land. McCandless was well-educated and over-thought a lot of things. I would've liked to know him because it sounds like he had a lot of interesting ideas and stories. He seemed very friendly and amiable.
Westerberg was a smart, kind man. He mastered many professions and was extremely talented. He also helped house and employ lots of hitchhikers over the years. He seemed very respectful and never pried into people's business.
Everyone who met McCandless said he was very intelligent and had amazing stories from his travels. He set very high standards for himself and was extremely ethical. He had a huge interest in the wild and wanted to live off of the land. McCandless was well-educated and over-thought a lot of things. I would've liked to know him because it sounds like he had a lot of interesting ideas and stories. He seemed very friendly and amiable.
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