Many people puzzled over the meaning of McCandless' life, and there is a website devoted to people like us who are Go to the Chris McCandless web page: http://www.christophermccandless.info/
Choose an article that you would like to read pertaining to McCandless. Then write a comment in which you identify the article you have read and explain your response to it. Be specific (use details and quotes from the materials you've read). Then, respond to a classmate's comment using specific details.
Remember all comments and responses need to be respectful and specific.
This assignment is worth 10 points and will be graded on its completeness, specificity, insightfulness and quality of writing.
I read "Into The Wild Bus" It was all about why people want to go to the "bus" after the movie was released and the book was published. "It has been made special by the story, the many visitors that go there, its remoteness and the feeling it gives those affected by this story." This bus was different and many people wanted to go and see where Chris stayed in Alaska. This page on the website also gives advice on how and what you should do when you are traveling to the "bus". Even though I read the book, I wouldn't want to visit the bus, but only reason why I wouldn't is because it is in Alaska. Visiting the bus would really make you feel for Chris and see and feel how he lived for those months. "Even with seven other people in my group, I couldn’t help but feel a little lonely in that place." So even though this guy went with 7 other people, he still felt lonely, just how Chris felt. This is an amazing journey for people to accomplish but it defiantly gives a feel for how he lived during those months.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I wouldn't want to go see the bus. However I think it is very fascinating that the bus is still there in Alaska for people to visit. Many people who visit can actually have a feeling about how it was like for Chris to be there. They can get a personal experience and see how Chris lived for a little while. It is surprising that a guy went with seven other people, and he still felt lonely.I can't even imagine how Chris must of felt, especially after being there for so long by his self.
DeleteI agree that the bus would provide people who wish to learn more about Chris McCandless, the opportunity to see and experience how he lived, even if it is only for a short time. Yet when that person in the group of seven said he felt lonely I do not believe McCandless would have felt the same way. There is a difference between being lonely and simply being alone and I think McCandless was content and even enjoyed to some extent being alone and I think that was a goal of his; to be alone in nature, living and experiencing things by himself.
DeleteI agree that the bus would provide people who wish to learn more about Chris McCandless, the opportunity to see and experience how he lived, even if it is only for a short time. Yet when that person in the group of seven said he felt lonely I do not believe McCandless would have felt the same way. There is a difference between being lonely and simply being alone and I think McCandless was content and even enjoyed to some extent being alone and I think that was a goal of his; to be alone in nature, living and experiencing things by himself.
DeleteI read a article wrote by Kelly Frazer-Modica. Mondica viewed Chris McCandless as a very brave, determined,and outgoing young man, for his decision to live in the wild."When Christopher Johnson McCandless made up his mind to do something he did it. Chris didn’t see things as most people do." I agree with Mondica it takes a lot of courage to leave everything you have and start all over, alone.Chris started his journey at a very young age, he also started without a map or proper clothes.Chris looked at life in a whole other way, a way most people didn't even know existed.Chris saw the beauty in nature, even in the harsh temperatures in Alaska. Alex faced many obstacles on his long journey, but never gave up that shows a lot of dedication, and self-confidence.I feel that many people can look at Chris's journey as inspiration. Even when the odds are against you, you should never give up.
ReplyDeleteAlex is an excellent role model for those that are unhappy with there situation. I'm not saying that everyone should move to the woods, but Alex shows that it is possible to improve any situation in your life.
DeleteI agree that McCandless is an inspiration. His willingness and determination to find happiness in any way possible, and to be able to experience life in every way he could is inspiring to me. His journey does show that you should never give up because he eventually achieved his goal to be happy.
DeleteI completely agree with you! I feel that Chris/Alex looked at life in a way that we will never fully be able to understand, but that's what makes it so beautiful. He was a very strong person who showed others that it is okay to "blaze you own trail" which is very similar to what the Transcendentalists believed about Individuality. It is okay to be yourself even if it's not considered socially "normal" and Chris/Alex really showed that. He is a huge inspiration!
DeleteI completely agree with you. Chris was just someone who needed to get away from all of the complications in his life and he saw things in a different way than most but that doesn't mean that he was crazy. It just means that he was brave enough to live out his dream which most people aren't able to do because they're afraid of what the world around them will think.
Deletei defiantly agree with you! i think that Chris was extremely brave for going into the wild with basically nothing. I also love the way Chris looked at life in a different way i think its very inspirational
DeleteInto the Wild Bus was an informative view into why the bus is so popular today. It provides an excellent guideline for prospective hikers. I have been on the road where Alex stepped off onto the trail. Thinking back, I wish that I could have gone to the bus, knowing what I know now. I guess it could be something for the bucket list.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think it is an amazing journey and should definitely be on some people's bucket list, if you are a thrill seeking person. It is very informative on what to do and what not to do on the trip to the Wild Bus.
DeleteI agree in that going to see this bus could really open up the mind and show you how it was to live like McCandless did. I personally wouldn't go see the bus because it is so far away but, I think it could be really good for someone who thinks that life should be lived like McCandless's so they can actually see what it was like.
DeleteI agree I think that the trip would be amazing and seeing that bus and really thinking about all of Chris's ideas would be very Inspirational to really figure out identity. I definitely want to make the trip.
DeleteI read a paper submitted by Erik Halfacre about Into the Wild. Erik was raised in Alaska and tells us that he had plenty of opportunities to be outside and explore the Alaskan wilderness in various ways, something he becomes quite capable of doing by his adult years. When he learned of Alex's fatal trip to his home state unlike most people he did not view him as ignorant, arrogant or even some crazy city boy with romantic ideals about life, but as a person who wanted something more from life, to explore and experience things other people didn't. Halfacre compares a younger version of himself with Alex and can't help but to see the similarities. Halfacre tells us that he and many of his friends also made many mistakes out in the woods, just as McCandless did, and he sums up Alex's misfortune to nothing more than inexperience. "Any mistakes that Chris made, were understandable given his inexperience. The difference between him and I (and for that matter most Alaskan outdoorsmen) is that our stupid mistakes never caught up with us. That’s not because we are better people than Chris, or because we were smarter than him. It’s because we got lucky. Chris unfortunately was not as lucky and that’s a tragedy." He doesn't see him as a lunatic who deserves to die but someone who was simply unlucky.
ReplyDeleteI read an article wrote by Chandler Broadbent. Chandler described how the human minds are so are so open to anything that is thrown at it. for instance she says "minds are so malleable and impressionable that we often believe everything we are told to be the truth". She also tells us that Chris McCandless was an exception to that because he was a strong- willed adventurer, and that he lived his life based on what he believed and not so much if not at all based on what other people told him. I believe that, that is how life should be lived. Doing what you want and what you think is right as opposed to doing what other people tell you to do.
ReplyDeleteI agree that people should pursue the lives that they believe in. I also feel that, in a way, McCandless didn't respect his own life enough because he didn't bring the right materials to sustain himself, even though he sought out to live his life off the land.
DeleteI totally agree , people should live their lives the way they believe and how they want to pursue it. And that is what Chris M did, he lived they way he wanted to live it not how society and his own family wanted him to live.
DeleteI read a paper written by Kevin Wiklund. He talks about how many people (Alaskans in particular) feel as though McCandless was selfish and foolish to walk into the wild and live off the land ill prepared. Kevin says that they only judge McCandless on the outcome of what happened in the end, that he passed away in the wild. He says that many non-Alaskans feel a connection with McCandless who wanted to "find and create his own happiness in a world where we’re told happiness is in all the wrong things." I don't think people should judge McCandless' actions so harshly, because how can you blame someone for just wanting to be happy? He may have died in the end but he wasn't necessarily ill prepared. He survived for as long as he needed to and tried to leave when he was ready. Kevin mentions in his paper that Chris wasn't regretful when he knew he was going to die and I think this is a good message to take from McCandless' story. He was content with what he had accomplished the past couple years ending with a great adventure, he was happy. If he had died while living the life he was living two years before he wouldn't have been happy and would've had regrets. I think McCandless' story is moving because he wasn't content with the path he was put on, and went to find happiness and to realize what life he was meant to live.
ReplyDeleteI read the article "Into The Wild" by Kelly Frazer-Modica. She explained in the article how Chris McCandless was a free spirit who was determined to follow his own beliefs. She mentioned how he didn't like to get fixated in the "confinements of society's ideals". I think she meant that McCandless didn't like the responsibilities that came with material objects and also personal relationships. Although Chris McCandless's pursuit of his own beliefs was freeing to him, I also feel that they got in his way. I feel that sharing experiences and advise leads people to true happiness and because of McCandless's beliefs he was taken away from this.
ReplyDeleteI agree, if McCandless accepted more advise from people, his life experience would have been longer. Rather than going out and asking nature to tell him who he was, people should have done that for him. Although you are you the people in your life make up who you are.
Delete-samantha bobbio
I read an essay submitted by Kevin Wiklund where he defended Chris from all of the criticism that has been floating around ever since his body had been found. He believed that the majority of the criticizers where those who lived in Alaska, others weren't as harsh. " Many Alaskans feel strongly about Chris McCandless...They feel that his attempt of walking "into the wild" to live off the land and find himself alone in nature was arrogant...many non-Alaskans feel a strong connection to this young man.". I think this point is very important because although we may not be as extreme, we can all relate to Chris in some sort of way. Every teenager can't wait for the day that the can be set free and make a path for themselves and I feel like Chris felt the same way. In the article he also brought up a very interesting point. If Chris had never died there would be barely any judgement at all, probably because the book would have never been written. "Had McCandless walked out of that wilderness in late July, he wouldn't have been regarded as a reckless young man, with no respect for his environment. We'd probably never know his story.". By Chris dying he was finally able to be his true self, he was one with nature and he was teaching others that it is okay to find yourself and create your own path, this was his destiny. He even knew it was, in the article it mentions that before he had died he was at peace and had no regrets, " McCandless didn't plan to die in that wilderness, but he accepted his fate with open arms because it was the fate that he wrote.". I agree with this article wholeheartedly, I don't think he was stupid or arrogant. I believe that he was open to anything that came his way and was ready for it all because that was all part of finding himself. I also believe that everyone has a bit of McCandless inside of them, even if they won't admit it.
ReplyDeleteI read Erik Helfacre piece, where he talked about his childhood experiences and how he could have possibly done what Chris did but better. Erik had experiences from a young age when him and his friends went camping in the woods behind his house in Alaska. They made mistakes about what to bring and how much to bring. He connected to Chris by saying "Maybe he didn’t have the right gear, or the right skills". Chris never really experienced being on his own besides going to college of course but, he never really tried camping out or packing up and leaving at that very moment. Erik would have the upper hand on this issue and maybe possibly have done better then Chris, but in the end this day in age not a lot of people can live off the natural world. Erik also talks about how life is full of risks, just like hockey when a guy he knew died because he took a shot to the chest. Many individuals may see this sport as not as risky as it really is, kind of like Chris thinking about how is trip to Alaska and living off the natural world may not have been that risky. Even though Chris did make it to Alaska like he wanted to he have possibly could have done it with more thought and possibly he could have lived longer then he did. Chris's story is truly a moving piece and should be shared with everyone even though they might not be able to fully understand where his thought on his trip meant.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and how this story is moving and should be shared. I also agree with how you said "not a lot of people can live off the natural world." People can not just live off of nuts and berries. Also people now and days have to live in a safe home with heating and running water and medicine to stay healthy. Chris wanted to live with out those things but at the end of the day you can not. Chris must have realized after he was sick that he may have not have been as prepared as she should of been and may not be able to live off just the natural world.
DeleteI agree with what Erik said about Chris could have survived longer if he wasn't unprepared and inexperienced. And his story is moving but shouldn't be motivation for people to travel to the bus and potentially die. Just like Chris Ingram said that there is nothing at the bus worth dying over. I also believe that Chris's story can be moving or seen as very selfish actions with no regards to how others felt and how they would be effected. I believe Chris's story can be viewed from either side, it's based on each persons interpretation and own beliefs.
DeleteI agree with what the article says about Chris. I do believe this story should live on, whether or not you like what Chris has done, his actions make you think about what matters to you and your place in society. The are differing opinions on Chris's actions, often people are highly critical of him and his death. Often saying he was foolish, but yet he still accomplished a lot on the road and in Alaska. In the end he died rather unluckily by eating some moldy seeds, but he died living to his standard and his. That is more then can be said for any people today, who are highly controlled by society.
Delete~Lauren Kaehler
I read "Into the Wild Bus" I wouldn't like to go to this bus only because I do not like the cold. But although this location is a "(in the minds of many Alaskans) to some kind of worship of Chris, or a celebration of naiveté" This bus is a large symbol. If I had the guts I would defiantly visit the bus, but having the feeling that your are lonely doesn't seem pleasant either. Erik Halfacre went with a group of 7 people and still managed to feel lonely. "Even with seven other people in my group, I couldn’t help but feel a little lonely in that place.'' The bus is a big part of Chris and his story. Its amazing how Erik had a chance to visit this site and share it with many people such as my self. This article is a great way to get an insiders view. It really helped me understand more how Chris felt and how accurate the story was and how nothing about the site really changed.
ReplyDeleteI read a article by Chandler Broadbent. I agree with how Broadbent describes society and how it majorely affected McCandless's decision to take his journey into the wild. Broadbent explains how we endlessly want materialistic things and want only for power and success, if we focused more on achieving a life of spiritual satisfaction and truth we find who we truly are . “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” seems to be the theme throughout the whole novel where McCandless rejects his money and his family, his family being a reflection of everything he hates. They were too focused on what he couldn't see as important money, a job, class. McCandless went on his journey not only to find who he was, but to see the things he was never told to see and to find who he truly was without all the concealing factors of society.
ReplyDelete-Samantha Bobbio
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ReplyDeleteThe article I read was Chris Ingram's "Into The Wild". Throughout the piece Chris portrayed Chris McCandless as an overconfident, overzealous and that his actions were reckless behavior. He believes that the wild is unforgiving and will kill the unprepared and unaware. I believe his motivation from these statements partially come from the death that occurred while trying to get to bus 142. "THERE IS NOTHING IN OR ABOUT THAT BUS THAT IS WORTH YOUR LIFE" this quote really showed his feeling about the worth of a life and that a bus in the woods isn't something to die trying to see. Ingram also believes Chris's actions of severing ties from his family and then dying of starvation if "terribly sad and selfish". And another fact supporting Ingram's idea of Chris being severally unprepared is that he died 25 miles from a city and highway, and that he was minutes from Denali National Park, a very popular park destination. "We should measure ourselves in what we are a part of, not what separates us from them." Ingram believes instead of measuring a life by pushing limits and being close to death, life should be measured by your time spent during your time most alive. The time with the company of others that matter to you. At the end of the article Ingram concludes that he believes the movie over-romanticizes Chris' life and that the bus should be removed to prevent others from dying a useless death. I agree with his statement about the bus because to die trying to see where someone else died in the middle of the Alaskan bush is not a death worth dying.
ReplyDeleteI read a paper written by Jessica Robbins called "Not All Who Wander Are Lost". I chose this particular work because I feel that I share a lot of the same opinions as Jessica when it comes to Chris' journey. She talked about how many people are misunderstanding the purpose of his choice to leave society and find himself. At the start of this book I judged McCandless from the start. I thought he was selfish to abandon his family the way he did without notice and how along the way he made more people care about him just to hurt them all by leaving again. I realize now that I was just pushing my own morals and beliefs onto what Chris believed. All Chris was trying to do was find himself and just because it might not be the way that most people would do it doesn't mean that it's wrong. He needed to get away from everyone making all the choices for him and he showed immense courage and bravery by stepping out into the wild and doing something that actually meant something to him. Every time I read this book and think about how a person could just stop caring about what the world around him had to say I get inspired. It makes me think about how my life is controlled so much by people that aren't me. That's not how it should be. There are so many things that I want to do but I let people and opinions stop me from doing it. Chris wasn't suicidal or crazy, he was just a man who had the guts to find himself which most people can't do and that's why I think so many are quick to tear him down.
ReplyDeleteI read the article by Kevin Wikland. I agree with him because like him, after reading "Into the wild" my perspective and appreciation of the idea of simplicity and living without all these complications has increased. Realizing that people should learn to be able to cherish the natural world around them and enjoy it while its there. Chris McCandles was a symbol for freedom to me, leaving all of his possesions behind and going dark for a long time to experience that whole new lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI do feel Chris was unprepared for his journey. I do appreciate this ideals. I respect that he was willing to give up everything to go and do what he believed would help him find himself. I will more people would be true to themselves and take after what they think is right
ReplyDeleteI understand and agree with your statement because how are we supposed to find ourselves if we're so focused on what other people want us to believe like, and generally be. We can't just assume that we believe or are what our peers and friends are because we get along with them in socially interactive manner. Just because someone who is Jewish can get along and be friends with a Christian doesn't make them a Christian.
DeleteI read "Into The Wild" by Ali Ingah. I found the article similar to my own perspective. The author couldn't relate in his youth to McCandless, he just thought "why would anyone want to leave society." Now that he is older and has seen more of world he can relate. He respects McCandless for going against the "grain of modern society." The article also explained how Chris's actions in the time when he was alive can be looked at in many positive and negative ways. But when written about they become a thought provoking lesson no matter your opinion on McCandless himself. Without literature and other people's insights his story would have ended long ago, but now he seems to live on. The author also expresses his new found respect for the natural world as well as people's free-will.
ReplyDeleteI read the article "Into the Wild Bus" and it made me very interested on why this bus means so much. It showed me how the bus really helped Christopher. The bus seems to be a very attractive spot for people and hikers to go visit to see the spot where Chris once lived. If i was given the opportunity to visit bus 142 i would pass it up I really have thought about Chris's ideas and he wasn't insane as some people may think he has very many good ideas.
ReplyDeleteI read the paper by Chandler Broadbent i chose to read hers because i felt like i had a lot of similar opinions as she did. In her writing she said "I was in awe of how a man could give up every penny he had to live as one with nature." I feel the same way. Its crazy to think about how someone could burn or give away all of their money to go in the wild to survive without barely anything. Another thing she said that popped out to me is "What I find so remarkable about Chris McCandless’ story is that ironically he saw his wealth, possessions and upbringing as road blocks in his search for the truth in life." A lot of people live everyday to get wealthier and have the best of the best products but Chris didn't care about any of that stuff, he saw it as a burden. Thats really something to think about because life isnt all about what you have and how much money you have its about if youre actually trully happy or not.
ReplyDeletevia Kaleigh Quinlan
DeleteI read the article "In to the Wild Bus". I find it very ironic how commercialized the Stampede trail, along with bus 142 has become following in "Into the Wild", and Chris McCandless's story. All these people want to travel to the bus so that they can understand Chris's story or to try and experience what Chris traveled there to enjoy. Nowadays though, the trail is very well worn and easy to follow, not to mention all the sophisticated gear and accurate map that hikers bring with them. I feel that the modernization of this trail defeats the purpose for people hiking out there to experience leaving society, because as more people follow suit, the less remote the location becomes. And people fail to realize that because they continue to let society intrude into that area and then expect to go there and experience freedom and pure wilderness. On the other hand, all the gear that hikers bring today shows how strong-willed and driven Chris was towards his goal. When he went, all he had was a pair of boots, one or two pairs of clothes, a tent and a bag of rice and yet he still made it. All these extreme hikers making this journey nowadays have huge lists of gear and maps, and are still taking the same trail Chris did.
ReplyDeleteMadeline Donohue
ReplyDeleteI read the article "Matters of Independence: A Study of Self-Reliance in Into the Wild" by Rebecca LaMarche. She states her clear argument on why McCandless may have done what he had. LaMarche explains that she believes Chris had run away and tried to survive solely off of nature's offerings was because of his intense independence, belief in Self-Reliance, and realization of society's issues. Chris' goal was to be almost completely self-reliant, which was a reason for him never letting anybody who helped him get too close, at least personally. "Many people call his actions selfish and cruel," says Rebecca LaMarche, "but others believe that while it may have been self-centered, it was a noble and necessary change for him. By not even communicating with his sister, Carine, with whom he was quite close, Chris made it quite clear that he did not want to be found." In this quote LaMarche states McCandlesses intense desire for independence and self-reliance. We can see why he wanted this just by Jon Krakauer's quote on the matter, saying, "...it was important for him to see how independent he could be"(Krakauer 125). These words from the author and possibly a friend of the late McCandless represent the side of Chris that was pushing himself, seeing how much he could handle on his own. Chris had also wanted to find out "if it was possible to be independent from modern technology", Krakauer states. I personally perceive this to be an interesting, agreeable, theory on McCandless' life and beliefs. Chris is clearly a transcendentalist, one whom focuses on individuality, which means you can live your own life, make your own rules, and you basically don't necessarily find happiness in others, but more or less in yourself. I belief happiness is an internal and external sensation. Internal happiness is a feeling that effects what you do on the outside in order to generate other people's happiness so they can do the same for others.
Self Reliance, in which he teaches that people must seek solitude to hear their own thoughts, because society, and its inhabitants urges men to conform.
I read a paper by Chandler Broadbent. She had a positive view on who Chris McCandless was as a person. She believed he had a mind of his own, because as quoted by her "As adolescents are minds are so malleable and impressionable that we often believe everything we are told to be the truth". But she believed that he was different. He didn't follow in the footsteps of everyone else. He was brave and strong. And I have to agree. I can see where Chris was coming from when he didn't want to be like everyone else and live a normal life with a job and kids. He wanted adventure. He wanted to find himself. And although I do agree with Chris and Chandler I cant help but wonder if he did for himself or to just piss his parents off.
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