Question 4

what are your impressions of Chris? was he noble? reckless? selfish? courageous? a pilgrim?

 

 

Chris came off as a little headstrong to me. Like your typical college graduate, he thought he had all the answers in the world. He turned his nose up to material possessions, jobs, human company... Sometimes it's hard to pity Chris when it looks like he gave so many things up. And he was stubborn, too; countless people tried to talk him into going caveman in a place much warmer than Alaska, but to no avail.

 

On a more understanding note, Chris seemed genuinely unhappy with his family. Probably because his parents kept secrets, screamed, and fought for what seems like a good bit of the time. So maybe Chris just decided not to take it anymore, and he struck out on his own to do what he wanted with his life. In that way, he seems noble and courageous. But then there's the fact that he hid from his family and left his parents and dear little sister worried sick about him without a second thought.

 

If I knew Chris McCandless in person, I would probably avoid him like a plague. He seems like an interesting character, truly. He was intelligent, caring (for certain people), and adventurous. But unlike his sister, who was used to Chris quoting Thoreau, throwing random tantrums about watches, and passing judgement on people who care about material items, I'm sure I would have found having a conversation with Chris super tiring. Maybe he could pass as a misunderstood genius.

-jc17

Question 3

krakauer said that when he was young, "personal mortality--the idea of (his) own death--was still largely outside (his) conceptual grasp." what does that mean? how do you think he grappled with his own personal mortality?

 

Most of us, meaning teenagers, have this same struggle with the idea of mortality. We know we will all die at some point; we've heard this same refrain repeated time after time. But while we have no problem saying it, we don't quite connect with the words coming out of our mouths. How many times have we done something reckless simply because we're young, healthy, and because we can? I climb fences for no reason other than I like the thrill--much to my mother's despair. And yes, I understand that I could fall and break my neck at any time, but on another level, I "know" it won't happen because I won't die until I'm old and sick in a bed somewhere. The idea of dying, especially when we're still youthful, just seems a bit out there. And how could we not find the concept strange? The only world we've known is one with us in it.

 

And how could anyone be successful in grappling with their own mortality? Most philosophers probably sit around in a dark room or on a rock somewhere and think about their death, which I suspect is what Krakauer did. Or you could always deliberately put yourself in some life or death situation and stare mortality right in the face, but I do not encourage this. You're much safer pondering on a rock.

 

 -jc17



Question 2

"unlike Thoreau, McCandless went into the wilderness not primarily to ponder the nature of the world at large, but, rather to explore the inner country of his own soul." Why do you think he did this?

 

 So it seems like Chris McCandless always had a problem with society and general materialism and spite. He would never have been able to explore his "inner country" within civilization; he would be too distracted by everyone else's shortcomings to get anywhere. So Chris stripped down to the bare essentials and tried to get in touch with nature to somehow get in touch with himself. This is true for the rest of us, too; when we need to concentrate, relax, or think deeply, we isolate ourselves--usually in a quiet room instead of a forest, though.  

 

 

 This isolationist thinking probably just combined with his desire to travel and have adventures, so he ended up trekking around the North American continent on a soul-searching journey.

 

- jc17





7:24 PM

Question 1

was Chris McCandless' death a "foolish, pointless death"? did he lack "the requisite humility" to go into the wild?

 

Well, I'd hate to call anyone's death foolish or pointless. Chris McCandless died while following his personal beliefs about self-reliance, simple truths, and nature. He claimed to love living so far away from people, and if this is the case then his death was definitely not pointless. If you die for what you believe in, then I respect that. Near the end, though, he spoke of loneliness but seemed too headstrong to return to civilization; if he really did stay out in the wild out of stubborness while he was lonely, miserable, and hungry, then his death was foolish indeed.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if this was the case; Chris never seemed like he type of apologize, forgive, or forget.

 

Chris did lack the "requisite humility" to go on his journey. Yes, he asked for hunting and survival tips from some more experienced outdoorsmen, but Chris had always seen himself as more in tune with nature than others. He seriously thought he could go from this pampered, college-educated young adult to a rugged woodsman living by himself. His failed endeavor with the moose carcass made this point obvious. Additionally, he held contempt for most of society's practices, as if he were more enlightened than the rest of us; maybe if Chris had brought some other individuals with him, we wouldn't be discussing his lamentable death.

 

- jc17