Honors English III
 
1.         Krakauer observes that it is not “unusual for a young man to be drawn to a pursuit considered reckless by his elders.”  Identify two details from this chapter where McCandless exemplifies this observation.  Explain whether or not McCandless would agree with Krakauer.  Finally compare McCandless’ view with that of one of the following men mentioned in this chapter: Andy Horowitz, Gordon Samel, Roman Dial, Sir John Franklin.

2.         Do you believe McCandless is to blame for his own death? Explain your answer using two specific details from the chapter.  Use quotations to support your response.



FINAL QUESTION:  CONSIDER WITH THOUGHT AND PROVE YOUR ARGUMENT WITH EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT.  THIS WILL BE LONGER THAN A SHORT ANSWER QUESTION!!!!

Do you feel, as one letter writer did, that there is “nothing positive at all about Chris McCandless’ lifestyle or wilderness doctrine …surviving a near death experience does not make you a better human it makes you lucky” (116); or do you see something admirable or noble in his struggles and adventures?  Was he justified in the pain he brought to family and friends in choosing his own solitary course in life?
     
 
1.         Krakauer observes that it is not “unusual for a young man to be drawn to a pursuit considered reckless by his elders.”  Identify two details from this chapter where McCandless exemplifies this observation.  Explain whether or not McCandless would agree with Krakauer.  Finally compare McCandless’ view with that of one of the following men mentioned in this chapter: Andy Horowitz, Gordon Samel, Roman Dial, Sir John Franklin.

2.         Do you believe McCandless is to blame for his own death? Explain your answer using two specific details from the chapter.  Use quotations to support your response.



FINAL QUESTION:  CONSIDER WITH THOUGHT AND PROVE YOUR ARGUMENT WITH EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT.  THIS WILL BE LONGER THAN A SHORT ANSWER QUESTION!!!!

Do you feel, as one letter writer did, that there is “nothing positive at all about Chris McCandless’ lifestyle or wilderness doctrine …surviving a near death experience does not make you a better human it makes you lucky” (116); or do you see something admirable or noble in his struggles and adventures?  Was he justified in the pain he brought to family and friends in choosing his own solitary course in life?
     
 
1.         Krakauer observes that it is not “unusual for a young man to be drawn to a pursuit considered reckless by his elders.”  Identify two details from this chapter where McCandless exemplifies this observation.  Explain whether or not McCandless would agree with Krakauer.  Finally compare McCandless’ view with that of one of the following men mentioned in this chapter: Andy Horowitz, Gordon Samel, Roman Dial, Sir John Franklin.

2.         Do you believe McCandless is to blame for his own death? Explain your answer using two specific details from the chapter.  Use quotations to support your response.



FINAL QUESTION:  CONSIDER WITH THOUGHT AND PROVE YOUR ARGUMENT WITH EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT.  THIS WILL BE LONGER THAN A SHORT ANSWER QUESTION!!!!

Do you feel, as one letter writer did, that there is “nothing positive at all about Chris McCandless’ lifestyle or wilderness doctrine …surviving a near death experience does not make you a better human it makes you lucky” (116); or do you see something admirable or noble in his struggles and adventures?  Was he justified in the pain he brought to family and friends in choosing his own solitary course in life?
           


 

 

 
  1. Identify two specific details or examples (using quotes) from Chris McCandless’ childhood/high school years that seem to predict his later behavior.  What is it about these events that help to explain his actions as an adult?  If using the same detail/example, provide new evidence, quotes, and insights to explain these predictions.

    CHOOSE  ONE of the following prompts to answer:  Not everyone should choose the same prompt.  Be sure to add new insights/details to answer the prompt, especially if answering the same as other students.

     
1.      Contrast McCandless’ feelings about his family with his family’s feelings about him.  How does the Thoreau quote that opens the chapter match Chris’ feelings about his family?  Support your points with two quotes from the reading.

OR.....


  

2.      Read the italicized passage on page 168 that McCandless wrote and the italicized passage he highlighted from Tolstoy on page 169.  Based on these writings and events in this chapter, what convinced McCandless that it was time to return to civilization?  What did he learn from his time “in the wild”? Support your answer with specific details.

 

Now, respond to at least one person for EACH of the questions, even though you did not answer all three.  Spend a little more time in your response to the question you did NOT answer.
 
  1. Identify two specific details or examples (using quotes) from Chris McCandless’ childhood/high school years that seem to predict his later behavior.  What is it about these events that help to explain his actions as an adult?  If using the same detail/example, provide new evidence, quotes, and insights to explain these predictions.

    CHOOSE  ONE of the following prompts to answer:  Not everyone should choose the same prompt.  Be sure to add new insights/details to answer the prompt, especially if answering the same as other students.

     
1.      Contrast McCandless’ feelings about his family with his family’s feelings about him.  How does the Thoreau quote that opens the chapter match Chris’ feelings about his family?  Support your points with two quotes from the reading.

OR.....


  

2.      Read the italicized passage on page 168 that McCandless wrote and the italicized passage he highlighted from Tolstoy on page 169.  Based on these writings and events in this chapter, what convinced McCandless that it was time to return to civilization?  What did he learn from his time “in the wild”? Support your answer with specific details.

 

Now, respond to at least one person for EACH of the questions, even though you did not answer all three.  Spend a little more time in your response to the question you did NOT answer.
 
  1. Identify two specific details or examples (using quotes) from Chris McCandless’ childhood/high school years that seem to predict his later behavior.  What is it about these events that help to explain his actions as an adult?  If using the same detail/example, provide new evidence, quotes, and insights to explain these predictions.

    CHOOSE  ONE of the following prompts to answer:  Not everyone should choose the same prompt.  Be sure to add new insights/details to answer the prompt, especially if answering the same as other students.

     
1.      Contrast McCandless’ feelings about his family with his family’s feelings about him.  How does the Thoreau quote that opens the chapter match Chris’ feelings about his family?  Support your points with two quotes from the reading.

OR.....


  

2.      Read the italicized passage on page 168 that McCandless wrote and the italicized passage he highlighted from Tolstoy on page 169.  Based on these writings and events in this chapter, what convinced McCandless that it was time to return to civilization?  What did he learn from his time “in the wild”? Support your answer with specific details.

 

Now, respond to at least one person for EACH of the questions, even though you did not answer all three.  Spend a little more time in your response to the question you did NOT answer.
 
Your first blog post will replace your first quiz on Into the Wild.  Please be aware that I will be grading your responses carefully and critically to make sure you have a complete understanding of the material.  Answer each discussion question completely, using the text as evidence of your reading.  Also, when replying to others, make sure you add new insights and elaborate on your responses!!!!

1. 
Why do you think Chris changed his name to Alex? What is he hoping for with this new identity? Reflect on these two questions and how transcendentalism plays a role in these decisions.


2.  Chapter 4 ends with the following quote from McCandless’ journal: “It is the experiences, the memories, the great triumphant joy of living to the fullest extent in which real meaning is found” (37). Identify an experience from this chapter and explain what “meaning” you think Alex has found. Use a quote to support your explanation.


3. Before McCandless leaves for Alaska, Wayne Westerberg offers to buy him a plane ticket.  McCandless refuses, however, claiming, “flying would be cheating.  It would wreck the whole trip” (67).  Find and explain two quotes from this chapter that demonstrate whether or not McCandless actually lives by his own words.

Each person in the group should and can use different quotes and explanations in the last two questions.  No answer should be exactly alike; you may not agree with McCandless' views or decisions and that will be reflected in your responses!
 
Your first blog post will replace your first quiz on Into the Wild.  Please be aware that I will be grading your responses carefully and critically to make sure you have a complete understanding of the material.  Answer each discussion question completely, using the text as evidence of your reading.  Also, when replying to others, make sure you add new insights and elaborate on your responses!!!!

1. 
Why do you think Chris changed his name to Alex? What is he hoping for with this new identity? Reflect on these two questions and how transcendentalism plays a role in these decisions.


2.  Chapter 4 ends with the following quote from McCandless’ journal: “It is the experiences, the memories, the great triumphant joy of living to the fullest extent in which real meaning is found” (37). Identify an experience from this chapter and explain what “meaning” you think Alex has found. Use a quote to support your explanation.


3. Before McCandless leaves for Alaska, Wayne Westerberg offers to buy him a plane ticket.  McCandless refuses, however, claiming, “flying would be cheating.  It would wreck the whole trip” (67).  Find and explain two quotes from this chapter that demonstrate whether or not McCandless actually lives by his own words.

Each person in the group should and can use different quotes and explanations in the last two questions.  No answer should be exactly alike; you may not agree with McCandless' views or decisions and that will be reflected in your responses!
 
Your first blog post will replace your first quiz on Into the Wild.  Please be aware that I will be grading your responses carefully and critically to make sure you have a complete understanding of the material.  Answer each discussion question completely, using the text as evidence of your reading.  Also, when replying to others, make sure you add new insights and elaborate on your responses!!!!

1. 
Why do you think Chris changed his name to Alex? What is he hoping for with this new identity? Reflect on these two questions and how transcendentalism plays a role in these decisions.


2.  Chapter 4 ends with the following quote from McCandless’ journal: “It is the experiences, the memories, the great triumphant joy of living to the fullest extent in which real meaning is found” (37). Identify an experience from this chapter and explain what “meaning” you think Alex has found. Use a quote to support your explanation.


3. Before McCandless leaves for Alaska, Wayne Westerberg offers to buy him a plane ticket.  McCandless refuses, however, claiming, “flying would be cheating.  It would wreck the whole trip” (67).  Find and explain two quotes from this chapter that demonstrate whether or not McCandless actually lives by his own words.

Each person in the group should and can use different quotes and explanations in the last two questions.  No answer should be exactly alike; you may not agree with McCandless' views or decisions and that will be reflected in your responses!

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