GROUP THREE: CHAPTERS 9-15

12/20/2010

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.

43 Comments

Curtis Seay

12/21/2010 05:39:07 am

question 1

After high school graduation Chris takes his first journey and uses his parents gas credit card for emergencies and was suppose to call his parents. But on his trip he becomes over whelmed from his travels and doesn't call returning starved looking. Chris also on one trip ask if he can take Buck the dog he care for some much, that he wouldn't allow harm to, but he was injured and his parents said he needed his rest. This foreshadows his adult life because he was always in search of adventure, but if he would of had Buck he would have never made half his travels because he would never risk the dog's life.

Curtis Seay

12/21/2010 05:45:54 am

question 2

McCandless has realized that true happiness can only be found through others. From personal relationships, he plans to return to see friends and family that were basically forgotten through his journey. He found through his travels that the basics of life are family, and that life consists through hard work from any job that it may be. He also found that life is not a given that you must work for anything you except to achieve.

Michael Turnbill

12/22/2010 10:06:33 pm

Question 1.)

One example of Chris's behavior from childhood that'd predict his later behavior was when he snuck into a neighbors house when he was two years old. This showed at a very young age that Chris was independent and did whatever he wanted. Another example is when his sister said " he was very to himself, he wasn't anti social he had friends, and everbody liked him but he could go off and entertain himself for hours. He didn't seem to need toys or friends. He could be alone without being lonely". This quote showed that Chris liked isolation a behavior he continued to show through adulthood when he visit different people, he'd never stay with them because he felt he didn't need them.

Michael Turnbill

12/22/2010 10:07:12 pm

Question 2.)

What convinced Chris that it was time to return to society and leave behind his time in the wild was at first he thought he learned all he could from the wild. He learned also that the process wasn't as easy as he thought it'd be living on his own. He saw that maybe the things he was mad about were not as logical as he thought. He felt that society was the problem but in the end he wanted to be apart of society, see people, and pass time telling adventures of his with men at bars. He also felt his parents were to blame for his whole life but then discovered how much he really missed them in Alaska and was able to forgive them while even forgiving himself for what he's done.

Curtis Seay

12/25/2010 10:29:58 pm

reply to michael question 1

I agree that Chris showed behavior when he was young of how he would turn out as an adult. I believe that showing he independent nature and thrill for adventure because he would sneak into to his neighbors at two showed his thrill for adventure. I also agree that when he showed he liked being on his own but had friends showed that he would become the independent person he was.

Curtis Seay

12/25/2010 10:33:20 pm

reply to michael question 2

I agree that Chris realizes that society is to blame for most problems but he wants to return to society because he wants to enjoy others company. Even his parents who he blames for some of his problems but Chris really misses his family and parents and wants to return to be able to share his stories.

Brook

12/28/2010 08:13:32 am

Q 1

He had a friend in high school that he was really close to, and she really understood him. She knew when he had bad days and why they were bad. She never took anything personally when Chris would get mad at her. He was also quite and very to himself. I believe that his actions in high school showed his adulthood because as he got older he was still independent and wanted to do things his way.

Brook

12/28/2010 08:18:45 am

Reply Q 1 Michael

I agree with you because Chris is very independent and he was extremely popular in high school even though he didn't have many friends. He would make his own fun. He didn't need anyone else to have fun with he just needed himself. He was never lonely. Through his adventures, he met different people but was still independent.

Brook

12/28/2010 08:33:13 am

Q 2

He was saying that he was "reborn" and that "real life has begun." He realized the basics in life were "a job, a task, a book; anything requiring efficient concentration, and that true meaning resides in the personal relationship to a phenomenon, what it means to you." Chris learned that the real happiness in life was to live for others. He wanted to feel needed by people. He wanted to have that perfect life, love, work and loving one's neighbors, one day getting married and possibly having children.

Brook

12/28/2010 08:36:26 am

Reply Q 2 Curtis

I agree because he finds that true happiness is in others. He wants his family and friends to know how he feels since he hasn't been giving them the love and respect they deserve. Working hard and living life like normal human beings were the basics in life.

Michael Turnbill

12/29/2010 08:47:10 am

Reply to Curtis Question 1.)

I somewhat agree with what your two examples of early events that foreshadowed Chris's behavior in adult life. With the situation it showed that his own thirst for adventure would always come at the expenses of others. This shows his more selfish attitude, but I don't fully agree with you regarding his caring attitude. Yes he always wanted to bring people on his journeys but he would still always do the things he planned to do on his trips. His thirst for adventure was far more important to him even at the expense of others.

Michael Turnbill

12/29/2010 08:47:40 am

Reply to Curtis Question 2.)

I agree with what you said regarding Chris's realization at the end of the book. The whole entire book he blamed his family and society for the wrong's of his life but realized they were not the problem. He realized that he had his own problems to deal with and that blaming others was a more efficeint outlet for him. He felt that true happiness could only be found in nature, a common thought process of transcedentalists but proved them wrong as he discovered the true meaning of happiness is family and the relationships you form through life.

Michael Turnbill

1/1/2011 11:03:41 am

Reply to Brook Question 2.)

I agree with you answer regarding how Chris was affected by his journey. He learned that people were worth living for instead of trying to get away from. This trip proved to be a positive experience for Chris but the lessons he learned came at too late of a price as it eventually caused him his life.

Ashley Thalasinos

5/23/2011 02:48:46 am

Question 1,
In High school, Chris was a very independent person. He had friends and was popular but not a lot of them. He was into himself but he was not anti social because he did have friends. Also at one part in the book the author said that "he could be alone without being lonely" showing that he enjoyed isolation at times and needed it. These events from his childhood also show in his adult life.

Ragan Moore

5/25/2011 02:31:42 am

Question 1--
On page 106 " He wasn't happy about it, because it menat he ahd to do extra schoolwork. So he spent a week trying to get himself out of the programs. This little boy attempted to convince the teacher, the principal- anybody who would listen- that the test results were in eeror, that he really didnt belong there." McCandless was placed in an accelerated program during third grade. He took a placement test for it and was accepted to be in it. However, when most students would jump on an opportunity to be in a gifted program, Chris shyed away from it. He didn't like the "spotlight" per say. He liked to stay away from being the center of attention, even though he was very intelligent. Later on his family members said even when he was small he kept to himself. Not saying he wasn't social because he had friends. Carine said on page 107 that "...he could go off and entertain himself for hours. He didn't seem to need toys or friends. He could be alone, without being lonely." The last statement sums up Chris's personality. He was a social butterfly, and knew how to talk to people. However, he could be alone and be just as happy. He wasn't a lonely person by no means, but he liked to be by himself. By these quotes and the few sidenotes that we learn about Chris we can see why he acts the way he does from his past behavior. Chris likes to be in nature because it is freeing, and he can be alone. It gives him time to wander, and roam without boundaries. His intelligence has helped him in some situations, but he doesn't have to use it to have a successful, happy life. He can be happy by himself.

Ragan Moore

5/25/2011 02:36:59 am

Reply to Ashley- Question 1
I agree that Chris was an independent person in high school, however, I think we was independent most of his life. He could have friends and be around people, but he was just fine being by himself as well. His independence helps him gain self confidence and freedons for himself. Through being independent he makes his own choices and doesn't look to others for guidance because he knows what he wants to do with his life. He doesn't need someone to choose for him.

Brandie Owen

5/25/2011 02:43:43 am

Question Three---
Chris McCandless made many choices throughout his life that impacted and lead up to his lifelong major decisions. When Chris was in his childhood and high school years he did many things that foreshadowed his future choices. For example, when Chris was a child, he valued education and was extremely smart; however, Chris did not want to recognize for his intelligence. Page 106 says, “After receiving a high score on a standardized achievement test, Chris was placed in an accelerated program for gifted students. He wasn’t happy about it.” This foreshadows Chris’ future because in earlier chapters it mentioned how he completed college with honors but did not get his certificate because he did not want to be recognized for it. Chris believed that he didn’t need to prove his intelligence. Chris went through college with good grades and honors; however, instead of furthering his life by getting a job, he went into the wild. Another example of how his childhood decisions had an effect on his character and future decisions is how he isolated himself from the people around him. Page 107 says, “He was very to himself. He wasn’t antisocial.. he always had friends, and everybody liked him.. But he could go off and entertain himself for hours. He didn’t seem to need toys or friends. He could be alone without being lonely.” As Chris made the decision to go into the wild, he left many people and things behind without it bothering him too much.

Brandie Owen

5/25/2011 03:14:54 am

Reply to Ragan Moore--- Question One
I completely agree with you on your views of Chris McCandless and how he didn’t want to be put in the spotlight. I find it completely odd that someone with such knowledge and skill would throw away opportunities like he did. I believe that that shows a very humble side of his character. I also enjoyed reading how you said he can be happy by himself and doesn’t need people or the things in this world to be happy. This definitely falls into transcendentalism because he depends on himself for his own happiness.

Brandie Owen

5/26/2011 02:15:31 am

That "Question Three" was really supposed to be Question One! Sorry Mrs.Carter!

Ragan Moore

5/26/2011 02:23:30 am

Question 2--
" It was time to bring his "final and greatest adventure" to a close and get himself back to the world of men and women, where he could chug a beer, talk philosophy, enthrall strangers with tales of what he'd done." On page 168 this quote is stated. McCandless is ready to move out of the wilderness and start a more civil life. At this point in his life McCandless has proved his point of being self- reliant and has pushed passed the need to separate himself from his parents. Alex had grown up from his experience in the wilderness and was ready to deal with not just his own flaws, but his parents as well. I think he missed his family, and being with people daily. He has sowed his wild oats through his journey, and now it was time to settle down. McCandless may not have made it out of the woods, but he had full intentions of doing so. On page 169- " There is no question, however, that he intended to walk out."

Ashley Thalasinos

5/26/2011 05:41:50 am

Reply to Ragan, question 1

I agree with you that Chris did not like the "spotlight" and attention that was brought onto him at a young age because of his intelligence. He was not a loner though because he did have friends but also liked to be alone. I also agree with you when you said he liked nature because it gave him alone time. He could do what he wanted in nature and could just be at peace and not have to worry about the real world.

Ashley Thalasinos

5/26/2011 05:45:17 am

Question 2,

At the end of page 168 i believe that Chris was ready to return to the actual world and not hide out in nature. He more than likely missed his family and friends and realized he had proven what he wanted from his travels and had enough of it. Even though he died shortly after this, he did want to return back to society as the quote stated on page 169 about his intentions of doing so.

travis jenkins

5/26/2011 12:35:40 pm

question 1
Chris went through school with very good grades. He was very smart and graduated high school with honors but did not want to be reconized.He also went through college and graduated with honors but did not want to recieve his certificate because he did not want the recongnition. This later affected him because he went into the wild instead of finding a good job.

Ragan Moore

5/26/2011 01:07:17 pm

Reply to Ashley- Question 2
I think you are right about McCandless wanting to go back to his family and friends. Even though he made friends along the way, and met new people I believe he missed the ones he loved the most. Sometimes you can despise someones flaws or short comings but at the end of the day you still love them!

Brandie Owen

5/27/2011 01:10:01 am

Question 2--- Prompt One
Thoreau’s quote at the beginning of the chapter, “As if all your life you had been led by the hand like a small child and then suddenly you were on your own, you had to learn to walk by yourself. There was no one around, neither family nor people whose judgment you respected. At such a time you felt the need of committing yourself to something absolute—life or truth or beauty-- or being ruled by it in place of the man-made rules that such as been discarded,” (pg 103) applies to the life of Chris McCandless and the feelings he has for his family. I believe that Chris felt unimportant to his parents because they never really paid much attention to him as a child. Page 107 says “Mom and Dad put in incredibly long hours. When Chris and I woke up in the morning to go to school they’d be in the office working.. they worked all the time.” I think that this is one of the reasons Chris turned out to be the independent person that he was. Another example of how the Thoreau quote applies to Chris is on page 116. It says, “this initial journey would ultimately turn him inward and away, drawing those who loved him into a morass of anger, misunderstanding, and sorrow.” His family was not very supportive of the decisions and choices he made in life, and they would always try to correct him. This is where Chris realized that other peoples judgment no longer applies to him.

Brandie Owen

5/27/2011 01:14:16 am

Reply to Ragan Moore—Question two prompt one
This was not the quote I had used, however, this quote and your logic has opened up my eyes. I believe that since Chris’ parents were incredibly busy all the time with their work that they never had time for him to show that he was able to depend on them. This explains why Chris grew up being so self-reliant. He has always had to depend on himself for everything, including his own happiness. I definitely agree with you when you said he missed his family while he was out in the wilderness, and I also believe he was numb to the situation itself.

Brandie Owen

5/27/2011 01:15:18 am

That was Question Two Prompt Two ^^

Ragan Moore

5/27/2011 02:41:14 am

Reply to Brandie- Question two- 1st prompt
I feel the same way Brandie. I dont think McCandless's parents felt he was important at all. Chris always felt shafted and oout of place, even in his own family. He became indepedent at such a young age not by choice, but because he had too. By this independence he led a freeing life. One filled with adventure, and experience.

travis jenkins

5/27/2011 02:46:48 am

question two prompt one
“As if all your life you had been led by the hand like a small child and then suddenly you were on your own, you had to learn to walk by yourself. There was no one around, neither family nor people whose judgment you respected. At such a time you felt the need of committing yourself to something absolute—life or truth or beauty-- or being ruled by it in place of the man-made rules that such as been discarded,” (pg 103)This is the quote of Thoreau.His family loved him very much and just wanted the best for their son, that is why they made him listen to them and go through school. Chris however did not like this and rebelled against his parents. He hated that his parents tried to control him and lead his life so he left and went exploring the world.

Brandie Owen

5/27/2011 02:46:59 am

Mrs.Carter,
Nobody who responded on this blog did question 2 Prompt 1 like I did. Instead of repsonding to question 2 prompt 1, I am going to just respond to another question 2 prompt 2 of someone elses.

ANOTHER Repsonse to Ashley Thalasinos--- Question 2 Prompt 2

I also believe that Chris was ready to return the wild after all that he had gone through. Even though Chris was self-reliant, I also believe he was more of a relational person than he made people believe. Going on these travels was his way of finding his self and who he was. Chris was missing out on a normal life such as a family, being someone’s mate, and listening to music (pg 169). I find it tragic that he died shortly after this but at least he discovered who he was while he went on adventures into the wild.

Lindsay Whitaker

5/27/2011 02:47:59 am

Question 1:

On page 114, it says "He didn't get into trouble, he was a high achiever, he did what he was supposed to" This quote shows that he obeyed his parents and followed the rules. He worked hard in school and was recognized for his achievements. Another quote,also found on page 114 says "It's somewhat surprising that Chris ceded to pressure from Walt and Billie about attending college when he refused to listen to them about so many other things". This quote really expresses Chris's strive for achievement. It shows that out of everything Walt and Billie have talked to him about, college was the most important.

travis jenkins

5/27/2011 02:49:34 am

reply to Brandie Owen question two prompt one
I agree that Chris was misunderstood as a child. His parents hardly paid any attention to him when he was younger. This lead to him running away and eventually dying in the Alaskan wilderness.

Jacob Gulledge

5/27/2011 02:53:19 am

Question 1

When chris was young he always made his own decision's and never let anyone stand in the way of it even his parents.As a kid chris went into his neighbors house for fun and this led to his "adulthood".Even after this chris did as he pleased and didn't worry about the outcome of his actions.He always seemed curious about the things around him.Chris' sister like to emphisize the fact that he was "anti-social". he could be by himself and never get lonley, he still shoed this same trait as he grew up.Chris felt that he learned better if he did everything on his own the way he wanted.As chris grew up this never changed and wouldnt change for anyone.

Lindsay Whitaker

5/27/2011 02:57:47 am

Essay 1:

On page 118, it says "He was almost crying , fighting back the tears, telling Dad that even though they'd had their differences over the years, he was greatful for all the things Dad had done for him". There were times when Chris had taken advantage of his dad, and he regrets it because he knows that although he didn't treat his father with the respect he deserved, he loved him anyways. Another quote, on page 118 says "Chris said how much he respected Dad for starting from nothing, working his way through college, busting his a** to support eight kids". This quote really amplifies the amout of love Dad had for his children. He did everything he could to provide for them. In thinking about this, Chris realizes how much he loves and cares about Dad.

Lindsay Whitaker

5/27/2011 03:03:25 am

response to ashley (question 1):

Ashley, I totally agree with you when you said that Chris was an independent person in high school. He did have friends, but not many. You were right about the fact that he was not anti social because he did have friends, but he would rather be by himself. I like that you used the quote saying "he could be alone without being lonely". This quote really shows his enjoyment in isolationism.

Jacob Gulledge

5/27/2011 03:03:51 am

question 2

chris was not close to his parents at all, his sister Carine however was close to thier parent's. Chrise was the type of person that wanted to get away and live on his own and didnt want to depend on anyone but himself, this is why he went to Alaska and changed his name.He only wrote his parnets a few times which made them worry about him.I think that Chris was closer to his sister than anyone else in his life, Chris and his sister shared a close bond and was always there for each other. On page 117 chapter 12, a quote from Thoreau says, "Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.I sat at a table where were rich food and wine in abundance, an obsequious attendance, but sincerity and truth were not; and I went away hungry from the inhospitable board. The hospitality was as cold as the ices". I think that this relates to chris because he liked to travel and when he did travel he didnt need anything or anyone to be with him.

Lindsay Whitaker

5/27/2011 03:07:46 am

response to ragan (question 2):

I loved that you used the quote on page 168 that stated, " It was time to bring his "final and greatest adventure" to a close and get himself back to the world of men and women, where he could chug a beer, talk philosophy, enthrall strangers with tales of what he'd done." This shows that he is ready for the future and independence. His experience in the wilderness has prepared him for almost anything the future could possibly throw at him.

Ashley Thalasinos

5/27/2011 03:15:19 am

Reply to Travis, Question 2 prompt 1,
I agree with you that Chris rebeled because his parents tried to control him and tell him what to do. His parents were only looking out for him like you said and that is what made him mad because he was an independent person. I also like the quote you used to support your answer.

Lindsay Whitaker

5/27/2011 03:15:21 am

reply to brandie (essay 1):

I like your use of the quote on page 116, that says, “this initial journey would ultimately turn him inward and away, drawing those who loved him into a morass of anger, misunderstanding, and sorrow.” This quote means that no matter what anyone's opinions are, he is willing to do what he wants and what will ultimately make him happy. I believe that you are right about Chris being an independent person. The quote on page 107 says “Mom and Dad put in incredibly long hours. When Chris and I woke up in the morning to go to school they’d be in the office working.. they worked all the time.” This quote talks about Chris pretty much having to take care of himself when he was younger.

Justin Ivey

5/27/2011 09:30:45 am

question 1
in many of the times that Chris' dad talks about what he was like when he was a kid he says that he was very spirited and wouldn't stop until he got the job done. For instance he says that Chris would not accept instruction from anyone and this is shown when he declines all of the people wanting to help him on his future journey.

Justin Ivey

5/27/2011 09:35:48 am

Chris realizes that the real meaning of life is working toward an immediate goal. He realizes that you shouldn't waste life trying to impress others but instead take time to impress yourself by how much you can take.

Justin

5/27/2011 09:38:13 am

reply to Gulledge question 2
i believe that if Chris had not died in the wild he would have taken time with his family much more serious because he would realize how precious life is

12/2/2012 06:47:01 am

GROUP THREE: CHAPTERS 9-15

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