GROUP ONE: INTO THE WILD: Author's Note-89

12/10/2010

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!

70 Comments

Rebekah Lambeth

12/15/2010 09:24:11 am

Question 1:
I think Chris changed his name to Alex so that he could start from fresh. He wanted to live a new life where no one knew him and to live different way. By changing his identity was the only way for him to do this. He wanted to go out into the wild and live his life to the absolute fullest. This reflects transcendentalism because he wanted to do what he wanted for himself and he didn't care about what anyone else had to say about it.

Rebekah Lambeth

12/15/2010 10:37:30 am

Question 2:
Alex went through many experiences in chapter 4. One experience was when it started to rain very hard in the woods one day causing a flash flood. Alex had taken his truck where there were regulations posted. He had no where to take his truck so he had to get everything he needed out of it before it got washed away. The flash flood only got the engine wet which prevented it from starting. He then reported the truck to the rangers. The truck was Alex's only way to travel besides by foot. Since he had ignored the regulations he would be fined. Alex probably found from this experience that he shouldn't have ignored the post so that he would still have his truck to drive.

Tiffany Gantt

12/16/2010 05:04:50 am

Question 1
The life that Chris was living wasn't really his life it was the other people in his life who wanted the dream and life for Chris. He wanted a new start where he couldn't be found or no one would question his decision for living his old life. He just wanted a name that can be his and nobody could judge him and he be able to fulfill his dreams in life.This it show that a transcendentalism don't matter what any people think about him or let other choose a life for them just like Alex did.

Chloe Collins

12/16/2010 06:08:24 am

Question 1:
I believe Chris’ reasoning for changing his name was because he wanted to escape his old life. He never wanted to be what his parents wanted him to be and become just another person in society. When he changed his name it was to escape all of that. He wanted to start a new life away from the rules everyone else was following. Chris was following transcendentalism by doing what he wanted to do and not what everyone else wanted. He went into the wild and lived off the land without anyone's help. He relied on himself to survive, believing that he could achieve anything on his own.

Chloe Collins

12/16/2010 06:18:48 am

Question 2:
While traveling, Chris came across a canoe and bought it on impulse. From there he decided to paddle down the Colorado River and into the Gulf of Mexico. He departed from his dream of going to Alaska for a while and drifted down the river to see wide mountains and open blue skies. When he reaches the Mexican borders he records in his journal, "Alex looks quickly around for signs of trouble. But his entry of Mexico is either unnoticed or ignored. Alexander is jubilant!" By this little adventure, Chris broke the law and went into Mexican borders illegally, but did it anyway because he felt as if it was something he needed to do in order to discover something new and exciting.

Chloe Collins

12/16/2010 06:29:28 am

Question 3:
One way Chris lives by his words is when he states in his last letter to Wayne, "I now walk into the wild." He had worked long and hard to get to Alaska and he made sure no one stopped him from going and living his life in the wild.

Another is when he sends his last card to Jan and Bob Burres, "This is the last communication you shall hear from me. I now walk out to live amongst the wild. Take care, it was great knowing." He says goodbye like he'll never see them again and maybe he knows that he never will. He had told everyone that one day he would come back and get in touch with them, but once he gets to Alaska he completely immerses himself in it and decides that maybe he won't go back. That he'll just live there forever.

Christopher Thomas

12/16/2010 07:13:43 am

Question 1:

I think Chris changed his name to Alex because he wanted to start over. For his new identity, he is hoping to find a new life for himself being one with nature and living off the land. After college he wanted a sense of adventure in his life before he decides to settle down. This decision of changing his name and going to Alaska is his way of getting his adventure. This relates to Transcendentalism because they believe all you need to live off of is things that are essential. Other things are considered unnecessary and living your life to the fullest is the way you should live.

Tiffany Gantt

12/16/2010 07:23:31 am

Question 2
one of Alex experience that he fines in chapter 4 that its hard to be back in Society life again,he went to get his ID,but it was uncomfortable and that he must go back on the road. Alex had buried his back pack and his other stuff like his camera and his id.That memories isn't really things that you can buy its the thing that you want to do with your life that counts.

Rebekah Lambeth

12/16/2010 07:23:52 am

Question 3:
One quote that showed that Chris lives by his own words is when Westerberg said "Once Alex made up his mind about something, there was no changing it."(67) Alex knew what he wanted and there wasn't going to be anyone that was going to tell him any different. His mind was determined and there was no way of changing it. Another example is when he he wrote a letter to Wayne talking about how it may be a very long time until he comes back South. Also that the adventure could be fatal and that if he never hears from him again that he was a great man. I now walk into the wild. (69) He knows that it is going to be risky and that he may not make it out alive but hes will the take the chance to live freely.

Chris Thomas

12/16/2010 07:26:26 am

Question 2:

I think Chris is happy and excited that he is traveling all over having adventures left and right. The quote "Said he'd been surviving on edible plants he identified from the book. Like he was real proud of it." I think this quote describes that Chris doesn't care if he does't have food every night. He enjoys living off of food from the land and he usually is not upset about being hungry. I think Alex has found that living off the land is difficult but it allows him to see that he could get help if he needed it but he knows that would be cheating himself and since he has gotten this far he realizes he is living his life to the fullest.

Tiffany Gantt

12/16/2010 07:37:19 am

Question 3
Chris wants to live in the wild own his own and didn't want to count on others to buy his life.
He knows that there a chances that he won't make it out from Alaska.so he writes letters to his friends that he made own his way to Alaska.And tell them that its the last time that they will ever hear from him again.I would say that he did because of the people that tried to help him out and talk him out of it.He made it in the Alaska wildlife and now this where he started his journal.

Tiffany Gantt

12/16/2010 07:42:28 am

Reply Rebekah Lambeth question 1

I agree,He knows that his family and friends would be looking for him,that's why he made up a name Alex.He also didn't want to be found or anyone to try to stop him.He wanted a new start where he can be his self

Chris Thomas

12/16/2010 07:46:45 am

Question 3:

When Chris said "And then, once the time is right, with one abrupt, swift action i'm going to completely knock them out of my life." When he said this he was being dead serious and it proved he was because up until the time he died, he had not spoken to his parents since he left. When Chris writes to Franz he says "Don't hesitate or allow yourself to make excuses. Just get out and do it. Just get out and do it. You will be very, very glad that you did." This also proved that Chris lived by what he said because this whole journey of his is proof of it.

Chris Thomas

12/16/2010 07:51:07 am

Reply to Chloe's # 1

I also think Chris wanted to escape his old life and start a new one. His parents wanted him to live his life a certain way but Chris didn't want to live by anyone's opinion but his own. I agree that he lied of the land making up his own rules thinking he can achieve anything.

Tiffany Gantt

12/16/2010 07:51:44 am

Reply Chris Thomas question 2

He then he buried his stuff in the desert he knew that he won't need to keep picture for memories that it wasn't important to keep track of things that he will find out on his own through out Alaska.

Chris Thomas

12/16/2010 07:54:35 am

Reply to Rebekah's # 2

I also think that if Chris were to follow the signs that posted 4x4 vehicles only, then he would still have his car and the belongings he left inside of it. Even though Chris wanted to live by his own rules, paying attention to important signs such as that one is something he needs to do because it could be hazardous towards his health.

tiffany

12/16/2010 07:59:25 am

Reply Chris Thomas question 3

To me when Chris said this he was going to block out the society and choose a life on his own and not worried about people think or do.And when he was writing a letter to his friends he wants them to do what they wanted to do and not just think about it just get up and Do it and don't worry about what could have happen but what can happen if they do it.

Tiffany Gantt

12/16/2010 07:59:55 am

Chris Thomas

12/16/2010 08:05:21 am

Reply the Chloe's # 3

I agree when he wrote those letters to the people he cared about, that he knew he might not be coming back. So he decides to continue on his way to Alaska with no regrets knowing he might not come out of this alive.

Rebekah Lambeth

12/16/2010 08:10:50 am

Reply to Chloe's Question 1:
I agree with your answer. Chris did change his name to Alex so that he could escape his old life. He didn't want to live by what his parents wanted to be. He knew what he wanted in life and that was to be free from everything. He did followed transcendentalism by doing what he wanted and not what everyone else wanted. He knew that he could make it on his on and that there wasn't going to be anyone to change his mind.

Rebekah Lambeth

12/16/2010 08:41:36 am

Reply to Chris's Question 2:
I agree. Alex is trying to live his life to the absolute fullest. Even if he doesn't always have food every night hes thankful. Alex knew that there were going to be problems but it didn't keep him from doing what he wanted. You can tell that Alex is happy with the choices he made to give up everything he had.

Chloe Collins

12/16/2010 08:55:26 am

Reply to Chris' Question 3:
I agree. Chris abandoned his old life to take on this new identity. He dropped his parents before they could even say goodbye. He had said that they brought him to that point where he just leaves and he lives by his words when he says that he's going to knock them out of his life.

Rebekah Lambeth

12/16/2010 09:02:35 am

Reply to Tiffany's Question 3:
I agree with what you said. Alex wanted to get away and be himself without anyone telling him what he can and cannot do. He also wrote those letters to thank everyone that help him along in his journey to Alaska. He did this because he knew that he may never get the chance to tell them.

Chloe Collins

12/16/2010 09:05:28 am

Reply to Rebekah's Question 1:
I agree. Chris never wanted to be found. He didn't want his parents or someone he knew to find him and drag him back into that life he never wanted. Changing his name was not only him starting a new life, but also a way of keeping his old life of never finding him.

Chloe Collins

12/16/2010 09:23:37 am

Reply to Chris' Question 2:
Chris really doesn’t care if he has food to eat or not. He doesn’t mind going hungry. As long as he's out living his dream, he doesn’t mind eating berries and plants. He believes that it's better to go to bed hungry than go back to normal society and living a life he doesn’t want.

Dalton Albertson

12/16/2010 09:53:41 am

Question 1: To me, Chris changed his name to alex so he could start over and have a clean sleat. He wonted to change and wonted to go into nature to find out who he was and find is calling. Alex reflects transcendentalism because we wonted to get out an get away, and do what he wonted anyway we wonted to do smothing.

Dalton

12/16/2010 10:01:38 am

question 2: In chapter 4, alex was in the woods and it stared to rain, and the rain caused a flash flood. he got all of the items he needed out of is truck. when he tryed to crank the truck is would crank because of the water damage. "He could simply abandon the Dattsun and resume his odyssey on foot. And thats what we wonted to do." that quote means he got everything out of his truck and continued his advanture on foot.

Dalton

12/16/2010 10:05:07 am

question 2: he didnt take the plane ticket because he knew that if he did it would be cheating because he didnt wont to wrek the trip because the trip was about finding your self through NATURE, not through going to a airport and letting people accomidate him. I would have didnt the same thing and wouldnt have cheated cause your finding yourself through nature not through people helping you with your problems, i would agree with him.

Dalton

12/16/2010 10:08:00 am

reply to chloe 1: he did wont to get away from his old life and try to find a new beggining. he wonted to find is interself not by his parents telling his what he was going to be. Alex really wasnt just another person in the world. he wonted to be aot more and make a diffrence.

Dalton

12/16/2010 10:11:57 am

Reply to chris @ 2: alex wonted to go into the wild and do it big and try to do everything right so he could deeply find himself. i also think he enjoyed living in the wild and living off the land and animals.

Dalton

12/16/2010 10:15:12 am

Reply to rebekah 3: Chris didnt wont anyone to tell him what to do at anytime. he wonted to do everything by himself and no diffrent. chris also knows he may not make it out alive and he wonts to do whatever he can to find himself. that shows that he is willing to do anything to find is real person.

Andy

12/17/2010 10:45:15 pm

Question One:

Chris changes his name to Alex because i think he wants to start all over again, and live it the way he wants to. His decisions relate with transcendentalism because he goes into the wild, away from all of the rules and the government telling him what he can and cant do. He also goes away from his home and warm setting into the cold woods, being in nature.

Andy

12/17/2010 11:05:28 pm

Question Two:

In the Chapter Alex's car stops working, but for some reason he dosent ask for help from anyone. He just continues his voyage on foot. He could simply abandon the Datsun and resume his odyssey on foot. And that's what he decided to do." He sees that he could simply ask for help. but he don't he just keeps going. He makes sure that nothing slows him down and that he never quits.

Andy

12/17/2010 11:08:13 pm

Question 3:

Alex, does live by his words because he refuses the tickets and also leaves his car and keeps saying the same thing . . . that he is " walking into the wild".

Emily Clark

5/22/2011 01:23:42 am

Question 1

I believe that Chris changed his name so that he could begin to re-invent himself. Our name is like the basic foundation of each individual. By changing his name Chris is being self-relient and start over fresh to reshape his charaacter to what he wants it to be.

Emily Clark

5/22/2011 01:31:42 am

Question 2

One experience that I believe Chris found meaning in was when he had to abandon his car. On page 29 McCandless says that "he saw the flash flood as an oppurtunity to shed unnecessary baggage." This shows how he took a bad experience to have a powerful meaning.

Emily Clark

5/22/2011 01:40:02 am

Question 3

On page 67 Westerburg says, "once Alex made up his mind about something, there was no changing it." This shows that
Alex stuck to what he said. The denial of the plane tickets on page 67 is another example because he says he is going to hitch hick to Alaska and indeed he does.

Thomas Carota

5/22/2011 01:17:49 pm

Ms. Carter I forgot to do these:/ I will do them tomorrow (Monday) night because it is thundering and my power is going in and out... I'm sorry!

Abbey Byrd

5/23/2011 02:17:18 am

Question 1
I think Chris changed his name to Alex because he didn’t want anyone to know who he was. He wanted a new name for himself and a new life where he wouldn’t be tied to his past. It was like an escape for him. The new name would keep his parents from finding him. Chris wanted to get away from the rules and just live in the wild. Transcendentalism plays a role in these decisions because Chris did what he wanted to do on his own. He didn’t want help from anyone else so he could survive on his own.
Question 2
Chapter 4 ends with the following quote from McCandless’ journal. Alex got a high off of finding new things he was very adventurous. On page 32 he wrote in his journal and said “Overjoyed upon reaching the Colorado River”. He also went through hard times but he didn’t give up. He also wrote "All hopes collapse! Alex is utterly cofounded. All is in despair.” page 35
Question 3
McCandless does not except the plane ticket because accepting that would be like failing to him. He wants to travel on his own and be a hitch hiker. He is so determined to do things on his own without others help. I don’t understand how he does this. I would die without being surrounded by people that love me. Chris lives by his words when he said in his letter, “I now walk into the wild.” He just wanted to live on his own in the wild. Also in the book Westerberg stated "Once Alex made up his mind about something, there was no changing it." (pg 67). He wouldn’t accept things people would give him. Like I said he was determined to do it on his own.

Reply to Emily Q1:
I agree that Chris changed his name so he could re-invent himself and our name is our basic foundation. Everyone knows an individual by their name therefore; they know your past and your personality. Chris wanted to get away from that and start a new life for himself.

abbey byrd

5/23/2011 02:18:03 am

I cant reply to anyone else yet because they are worthless and havent done it yet :) jk

Ashley Beckham

5/23/2011 02:36:02 am

Question 1:

I believe Chris changed his name to Alex because he was tired of his old life and he wanted to start over new and have a clean slate. I believe he hoped to accomplish being his own person by changing his name. By changing his name Chris is being self-relient which ties into transcendentalism because by being a transcendentalist you have to be self- reliant.

Thomas Carota

5/23/2011 02:36:55 am

Question 1:

I believe Chris changed his name to Alex because he wanted to start over, almost like starting a new life. I believe he is hoping to get a clean-slate with his name change. This ties into trancendentalism because he is reliant on himself and he wants to start over and be one with nature and the land, so he can rely on himself and nature to get him through his life.

Abbey Byrd

5/23/2011 02:40:32 am

Reply to Emily Q3
I agree and used the same qoute. "Once Alex made up his mind about something, there was no changing it." This does show how determined he is and how he sticks to his plan. He also didnt take the plan ticket because he wanted to go to Alaska by himself.

Ashley Beckham

5/23/2011 02:45:04 am

Question 2:

I think one experience Chris found meaning in, in this chapter was when he was in his canoe in the canal and a bad storm came up. He fought the storm with all his might and he eventually made it to shore without being injured. "Finally through some extreme effort and much cursing he manages to beach canoe on jetty and collapses exhuasted on sand at sundown." (pg. 36) I believe Alex learned through this experience that no matter how hard things may seem you shouldnt give up.

Thomas Carota

5/23/2011 02:52:30 am

Question 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). One experience from this chapter to explain what "meaning" Alex has found is when it started to rain real hard which triggered a flash flood. His only way around was through his truck, but the flash flood go his truck engine wet which caused it to not start. Alex didn't adhere to the regulations posted so he would be fined. On page 28 it says, "Why had he ignored posted regulations and driven down the wash in the first place? Was he aware that the vehicle's registration had expired two years before and had not been renewed? Did he know that his driver's license had also expired, and the vehicle was uninsured as well?" Through this experience, Alex learned that if he kept up with his truck and did not ignore the regulations, he would still have his truck.

Abbey Byrd

5/23/2011 02:55:06 am

anonymous

5/23/2011 02:58:36 am

today i don't feel like doing annyythinng..i just wanna lay in my bed. don't feel like pickin up the phone, so leave a message at the tone,, cuz today i don't feel like doing anyything..nothin at all!! :)

Ashley Beckham

5/23/2011 02:59:14 am

Question 3:

Alex refuses to take the plane tickets because it would wreck his trip. In the book he also says, "This is the last communication you shall recieve from me. I now walk out to live amongst the wild." The quote shows that Alex does indeed intend to live free from most things that have to do with society such as riding an airplane to his destination. (pg. 69) Another quote says, "Once Alex made up his mind about something, there was no changing it."(pg. 67)This shows that Alex is determined to stick to his goal of not cheating on his journey.

Ashley Beckham

5/23/2011 03:02:51 am

Reply to Emily Question 1:

I agree with you that the name is the basic foundation of an individual. A name is what people know you by and therefore, by Chris changing his name to Alex, he can begin to restart his life as someone else and with a clean slate.

Abbey Byrd

5/23/2011 03:03:34 am

Reply to ASHLEY Q2

I agree, Chris did learn through his experiences to never give up and to keep moving no matter how hard things got for him. Being on his own had to be hard but he kept on going and stuck to his word.

Thomas Carota

5/23/2011 03:03:42 am

Question 3:

Alex refuses to take the plane ticket because he claims, “flying would be cheating. It would wreck the whole trip” (67). One quote from the book is when Alex lives by his words is when he states in his last letter to Wayne, "I now walk into the wild." He had worked long and hard to get to Alaska because he wants to be self-reliant to live in the wild. Another quote is when Alex writes to Franz he says "Don't hesitate or allow yourself to make excuses. Just get out and do it. Just get out and do it. You will be very, very glad that you did." This proved that Alex what true to himself and lived day by day by what he says.

Thomas Carota

5/23/2011 03:08:23 am

Reply to Emily, Question 1:

I agree with you completely. Chris changes his name to Alex because he wants a fresh start. Our name is indeed the foundation of our lives, so he is looking to relive his live by "starting over." He will then get a clean-slate so he can be self-reliant and be one with nature.

Ashley Beckham

5/23/2011 03:08:41 am

Reply to Thomas Question 2:

I disagree with what you said about Alex finding that if he had obeyed the posted regulations he would still have his truck. I think you're right about that part but I believe the meaning behind this experience is deeper. I think that by abandoning his truck "he saw the flash flood as an oppurtunity to shed unnecessary baggage." (pg. 29) In this view he can begin his journey the way intended.

Emily Clark

5/23/2011 03:09:38 am

Reply to Thomas 1

I agree that Chris is starting a new life. By changing his name he is cutting off all of his past life indeed leaving him with a clean slate to fill with new experiences.

Thomas Carota

5/23/2011 03:11:20 am

Reply to Ashley, Question 2:

I agree with you. Through Alex's experiences in the canoe and fighting the storm out and making it to shore. He faught long and hard to make it to sure, and it showed how strong he was. I do believe he learned through this incident that you should never give up, because you can always make it through any situation if you think your way through it.

Emily Clark

5/23/2011 03:11:33 am

Reply to Ashley 2

I agree the storm really tested Alex's strength. He took the experience as an adventure instead of as defeat and getting mad at nature.

Ashley Beckham

5/23/2011 03:11:46 am

Reply to Abbey Question 3:

I agree with what you said about why Alex did not accpet the plane ticket. He saw it as failure. He wanted to travel by his own accord and get places without taking money from anyone. He was very humble and he didnt accept the ticket because he thought it would be cheating and ruining his adventure.

Emily Clark

5/23/2011 03:13:49 am

Reply to Abbey 3

I agree that Alex saw accepting the plane tickets as failing. He even mentions that taking a plane instead of hitch hiking would be like cheating. This shows his determination to beat the odds.

Thomas Carota

5/23/2011 03:15:06 am

Reply to Abbey, Question 3:

I agree with you 100%. Alex believed that if he accepted the plane ticket from Wayne Westerberg, that he would be failing. The whole point to his life was to be one with nature. He wants to be a hitchhiker so that he can learn the in's and out's of nature. If he accepted the plane ticket, he would have missed out on all the experiences throughout his journey.

Ryan Smith

5/23/2011 03:19:18 am

No one likes me. I'm not cool.

No one.

5/23/2011 03:19:42 am

Dang Ryan. Your too hard on yourself.

ryan smith

5/23/2011 10:38:57 am

question 1

I believe that Chris changed his name to Alex to somehow change the way he and everyone else sees him; to start a new life. He wanted to forget the life he once had in order to restart as if none of it had ever happened. The new Alex was going to live a life in the woods which in a way reminded me of the term "Transendentalism". I believe he wanted his new identity to be the start of this new life that he was going to live; kind of like a new mask. He wanted to be seen differently and didnt want anyone to recognize him. Transendentalism is pretty much when someone turns to nature for comfort and wants to live their life the natural way. No big cities or towns, just the beautiful scenery of the woods. Thats how Alex wants to live. He hitched a ride in the snow, was offered many things to help along the way and refused. Hes got confidence in himself that he can live that life.

ryan smith

5/23/2011 10:48:46 am

reply to abbey; 1

I agree with Abeey that Chris/Alex just wanted to live on his own in the wild. He wanted to be free and not get help from anyone. He wanted to live his own life...and nobody elses.

Cara Saxton!

5/23/2011 11:13:18 am

Question 1

I believe Chris changed his name to Alex to disappear from his past life. It was like he wanted his entire life to start over. By changing his name, it was like Alex made it to where his family and friends could not find where he was. With his new identity, Alex could completely strip away his past of being someone completely consumed with society.

Question 2

Alex was very determined to get to Alaska. He would have done anything to get there, which shows a little bit about his character. When he wants something, he doesn't give up on it. He will do what ever it takes to get what he wants.

Question 3

In Alex's quote about flying, being cheating and that it would ruin the trip I believe he truly means that. He wants to experience getting their on his own, and enjoy his trip there. However, I don't believe that he lives by his words in this statement. He has relied on people through out the story so far to get him where he is now and if he thought that a plane ticket was cheating, then any help from someone would be cheating his experience. He tries so hard to do things on his own but along the way you may need some help and he needs to accept that!

Reply 1

i agree with you emily he changed his name because he wants a new life..( like he wants to start over)

Reply 2

by alex wanting to go to alaska by him self it does test his stregth and im glad he looked at the storm like it was an adventure!

Reply 3

i agree with abbey by saying that he does not accept it because if he does he feels that he would be failing but like i said you may have to acceot that you cant do everything on your own!

Kimberly Carpenter

5/23/2011 11:20:06 am

question 1:
I think he changed his name to Alex because he wanted a new beginning and he wanted to start new. He may have had a hard family life and he didnt want people to know who ho he was.This reflects transcendentalism because he was very reliant on himself and he did not rely on anyone to get him things and he didnt care about their opinions.

Question 2:
In this chapter he abandoned his car due to a flash flood. he showed that he didnt care about it and he just wanted to be on his own. He wanted to go out and see the world without seeing it through other people's eyes.

question 3:He says "it was difficult to catch rides into the Yukon Territory" and then he sent the letter to wayne sayng "This is the last letter you will recieve frome me.." this proves to us that he made it to alaska without having to take a plane. he wanted it to be just him and the wild.

ryan smith

5/23/2011 12:07:54 pm

question 2

"It is the experiences, the memories, the great triumphant joy of living to the fullest extent in which real meaning is found. God its great to be alive! Thank you. Thank you." Alex, i guess you could say, is a stubborn boy. He saw signs and warnings posted. He didnt listen to the warnings, so he proceeded to take his truck where it didnt belong. The rain began to pour, and his trucks engine was soon wet and wouldnt start. So he had to grab his belongings and go for help. He was to stubborn to abbide by the warnings, so he was fined. Do you think he will leanr from this? His traveling and his canoe have also beeen very harsh. He has had to carry his canoe long distances for three days to make it to the new canal. (p.34) Alex realizes maybe this experience is aloot tougher than he had thought. on page 36 it tells how he beats his canoe with his oar in frustration because he was afraid of being tipped by the whtitecaps.

ryan smith

5/23/2011 12:25:06 pm

reply to kimberly; 2

I agree that Alex wanted to see the world through his eyes and nobody elses. He didnt want anyones help, nobodys opinion, just his own sights and thoughts. That is what a Transcendentalist is all about.

ryan smith

5/23/2011 01:50:03 pm

question 3;

Before McCandleless left for Alaska, he was offered a plane ticket by Mr. Westerberg. Alex is very stubborn like i mentiooned in an earlier question. He told himself that he didnt want any help with this new life and he wasnt goin to recieve the tickets because that went against what he said. His trip is about freedom and his thoughts, not someone elses help. If he took the tickets it would go againsht that.

ryan smith

5/23/2011 01:52:20 pm

reply to ashley; 3

I agree with Ashley about the quotes she used. Alex wanted to live frree and taking the tickets was not freedom.

Joseph Aidan link

9/3/2012 06:02:42 pm

I enjoyed reading your blog post. You give more satisfaction to your followers. I'll check more often for more updates. Thumbs up :)

Joseph Aidan
www.arielmed.com

GROUP ONE: INTO THE WILD: Author's Note-89

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