Chris McCandless was not a bad person. However, he wasn't neccessarily a good person either. A few positive traits of McCandless were his intelligence, his friendliness, and his respectfulness. McCandless was not, for lack of a better word, stupid. He was actually quite smart, and knew what he was doing. He even said to Ronald Franz "I'm not destitute. I'm living like this by choice." Chris was intelligent. Chris was also quite congenial. He was friendly to all the he met, and many people were stamped by his presence with them. They will never forget him. He was also very respectful of other people, especially women. He did have negative qualities though. He was slightly arrogant, selfish, and not dependable. He thought that he was great and knew better than others, showing arrogance. He was also selfish by not relying on others, and he never was in contact with any of his family, which I thought was quite selfish. He also was not dependable, he was always leaving and refused to build any relationships with people.
Jon Krakauer and Chris had many similarities, and also many differences. Krakauer was very interested in Alaska, just as Chris. They were also both intellectual.
However, Krakauer seemed to have. a better head on his shoulders than Chris McCandless.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Into the Wild Blog #4
Chris McCandless was possibly the most unconventional man that I have ever heard of. He was a wanderer and could not stand the thought of being tied down to any one place. So for him to take a job at McDonald's was bewildering because of the uncharacteristic change of heart. I kind of believe that he wanted to give conventional living another shot, or that he just needed some money. He was, however, out of place at this job. Chris was a lone wolf and did not know how to handle being around other people, and especially relying on other people. He worked at his own pace and paid no mind to the other employess pushing him to work faster during rush hour. The thing that ultimatley led him to quit was whenever they asked him to take a bath. I do not think that he was offended necessarily, but I do think that that was when he realized a regular job was not for him, and that he hated being told what to do. If I happened to work with Chris, I feel that I would probably be okay with him. He does his own thing, and that is fine by me.
Bob and Jan Burres are what we all like to call "good people". They took Chris under their wing and truly cared for him. Jan was almost like a mother to Chris, and Bob like a father. Chris obviously did not have a very strong relationship with his parents, so these two sort of stepped up to the plate and I think that meant a lot to Chris. But of course, Chris could never stay in one place to long, so he also left them. They offered him clothes and gear for his upcoming trip to Alaska, but at this point in the novel, it would seem quite uncharcteristic of him to accept their gracious offer.
"Nobody, however, was affected more powerfully by his or her brief contact with the boy than Ronald Franz, who was eighty years old when their paths intersected in January 1992" (page 48).There is no doubt that McCandless changed Ronald Franz's life. But how significant was this life change? Ronald Franz was a very good man. He did what he could to help people, especially young man. He was a Christian and always had somebody around. But was that a problem? Always having someone around? Chris told Franz in a letter that he needed to get the idea that human relationships were the key to happiness. This letter explained a lot about Chris. He didn't need anybody. He was completely content with being by himself, and enjoying the many wonders of life. This reminded me of a quote by John Lennon: "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." Chris was telling Franz that he didn't need other people to be happy and that simplicity was a great thing. So Franz took a radical step and followed in Chris' footsteps. He lived out in an old camper and tried to see everything that he could see, at eighty years old. His life was changed by Chris in a very radical way.
Bob and Jan Burres are what we all like to call "good people". They took Chris under their wing and truly cared for him. Jan was almost like a mother to Chris, and Bob like a father. Chris obviously did not have a very strong relationship with his parents, so these two sort of stepped up to the plate and I think that meant a lot to Chris. But of course, Chris could never stay in one place to long, so he also left them. They offered him clothes and gear for his upcoming trip to Alaska, but at this point in the novel, it would seem quite uncharcteristic of him to accept their gracious offer.
"Nobody, however, was affected more powerfully by his or her brief contact with the boy than Ronald Franz, who was eighty years old when their paths intersected in January 1992" (page 48).There is no doubt that McCandless changed Ronald Franz's life. But how significant was this life change? Ronald Franz was a very good man. He did what he could to help people, especially young man. He was a Christian and always had somebody around. But was that a problem? Always having someone around? Chris told Franz in a letter that he needed to get the idea that human relationships were the key to happiness. This letter explained a lot about Chris. He didn't need anybody. He was completely content with being by himself, and enjoying the many wonders of life. This reminded me of a quote by John Lennon: "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." Chris was telling Franz that he didn't need other people to be happy and that simplicity was a great thing. So Franz took a radical step and followed in Chris' footsteps. He lived out in an old camper and tried to see everything that he could see, at eighty years old. His life was changed by Chris in a very radical way.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Into the Wild Blog #3
A few characteristics of Chris McCandless:
1. He was a little crazy.
2. He was independent.
3. He was tired of his life.
4. He had some family issues.
5. He liked simplicity.
6. He was content.
7. He was free-spirited.
8. He was charitable.
9. He was secure-without worry.
10. He trusted that he could survive on practically nothing.
11. He was rebellious.
12. He was confused.
13. He was lost.
14. He was smart.
15. He was kind.
16. He was friendly.
17. He was was brave.
18. He was adventurous.
19. He was bold.
20. He was different.
Chris' last letter to his family tells a lot about his relationship with his family. He was raised in an an upper-middle class family that valued success. I almost get the feeling that he felt a lot of pressure from his family, which was probably a large factor in his radical choice for a life change. I can tell that he does not feel connected with his family, which probably caused some emotional damage to him.
There are many questions that are still lingering in my mind as to why McCandless ventured out into the wild in the circumstances that he did. My greatest theory: His boredom with life. He didn't like how normal it was, and he just wanted adventure. He didn't want luxury, but simplicity. Another theory I have is that he had been pushed by his family too hard, and resented it. He was tired of the stresses of life, and just decided to throw all the "worthless" things away. Then there is, of course, this haunting theory: He was crazy. I don't think he was, but it is definitley a possibility.
1. He was a little crazy.
2. He was independent.
3. He was tired of his life.
4. He had some family issues.
5. He liked simplicity.
6. He was content.
7. He was free-spirited.
8. He was charitable.
9. He was secure-without worry.
10. He trusted that he could survive on practically nothing.
11. He was rebellious.
12. He was confused.
13. He was lost.
14. He was smart.
15. He was kind.
16. He was friendly.
17. He was was brave.
18. He was adventurous.
19. He was bold.
20. He was different.
Chris' last letter to his family tells a lot about his relationship with his family. He was raised in an an upper-middle class family that valued success. I almost get the feeling that he felt a lot of pressure from his family, which was probably a large factor in his radical choice for a life change. I can tell that he does not feel connected with his family, which probably caused some emotional damage to him.
There are many questions that are still lingering in my mind as to why McCandless ventured out into the wild in the circumstances that he did. My greatest theory: His boredom with life. He didn't like how normal it was, and he just wanted adventure. He didn't want luxury, but simplicity. Another theory I have is that he had been pushed by his family too hard, and resented it. He was tired of the stresses of life, and just decided to throw all the "worthless" things away. Then there is, of course, this haunting theory: He was crazy. I don't think he was, but it is definitley a possibility.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Into the Wild Blog #2
There is absolutely no question that Chris McCandless was extremely unprepared for his adventure into the wild. There is also no question that he KNEW he was unprepared. Jim Gallien, a union electrician in Anchorage, warned "Alex" that he was dangerously unprepared, and even offered to buy him some decent gear. He knew. But as I said in my last post, I believe that he wanted to completely leave behind his life of luxury. He wanted to survive on the land, and probably thought it was possible with the little amount of supplies that he had. Was he blinded of the facts because of his excitement? Possibly. I do not believe that he intended on dying on his journey; he truly thought that he could survive.
By telling the end of the story at the beginning, Jon Krakauer almost validates himself as a journalist in a way. But more imporantly, it helps develop the story. It is a very interesting to way of writing, and I'm honestly not quite sure how I feel about it yet. However, I guess I do like that he tells the ending, but then almost goes into a backstory through various witnesses who he has interviewed and explains ending through the story. It is defintiley intriguing, and I am excited to read on.
After reading Chris' S.O.S. note, I have very mixed feelings. I wasn't quite sure how to react to it. I could tell that he was desperate for help, but I almost got the impression that he could make his way back to civilization. He said "remain here" as he went to go get berries. Chris McCandless is a very interesting character, and I am interested in learning more about him.
By telling the end of the story at the beginning, Jon Krakauer almost validates himself as a journalist in a way. But more imporantly, it helps develop the story. It is a very interesting to way of writing, and I'm honestly not quite sure how I feel about it yet. However, I guess I do like that he tells the ending, but then almost goes into a backstory through various witnesses who he has interviewed and explains ending through the story. It is defintiley intriguing, and I am excited to read on.
After reading Chris' S.O.S. note, I have very mixed feelings. I wasn't quite sure how to react to it. I could tell that he was desperate for help, but I almost got the impression that he could make his way back to civilization. He said "remain here" as he went to go get berries. Chris McCandless is a very interesting character, and I am interested in learning more about him.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Into the Wild Blog #1
I feel that McCandless felt the need to get out on his own and find adventure. I feel that he had lived a relatively normal life, going through the motions, and was seen as a bright intellectual. The world had him figured out, but he on the other hand, did not. He was raised in a wealthier upbringing, and I believe that he felt there was something more to life than luxury. Therefore he journeyed "into the wild" not only to find adventure, but to find himself. I admire him for this reason. He went against the current and traded in his normal life for one of adventure and uncertainty. I also admire him for his determination. He had this idea--this wild and insane idea--and was bound and determined to follow through with it. People attempted to stop him, but I can almost picture the ambitious look in his eyes. "There was just no talking the guy out of it...he was determined. Real gung ho. The word that comes to mind is excited. He couldn’t wait to head out there and get started” (Krakauer 6).
Despite his admirable traits, there are many puzzle pieces that I have yet to figure out. Why did he tell no one of his plans? Why did he travel so light? Why did he change his name to Alex? Is he slightly crazy? To the last question: Yes. I do believe that he is a little crazy. But it's the kind of crazy that is almost...inspirational; a craziness that is driven by a purpose. I cannot help but respect Chris, or Alex, McCandless. He's got guts.
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