Into and Out of the Wild: Ch. 16-17

Bros:

As we come closer to the concluding pages of the story about one man's journey into the wilderness to not only find, but create himself, I would like you to write an at least three paragraph reflection on what you believe is the most important lesson to learn from his story.

Please use chapters 16 and 17 as reference points, enlightening your classmates as to what you think are the major insights to be gained from the final chapters of this powerful story.

What are some themes, symbols, images, metaphors and other other literary techniques that people should be aware of in understanding the deeper meaning of the text.

Have at it, and be sure to quote from the text, using the proper format for quotations such as follows:

Krakauer writes, "..." (#).
For instance, "..." (Krakauer #).
According to Krakauer, "..." (#).

This reflection is DUE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009 by class-time on blog or typed, hard copy. It will be worth 10 points, so put the proper intellectual effort into this.

Brother Supertramp, FSC

p.s. don't forget to head your entries with the following:

Your Name
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.05
April 22, 2009

Exploring Chapters 10-12

Bros:


You created the questions and so you answer ONE of the following in a WELL-DEVELOPED paragraph (or two or three) that quote(s) from the text for support (for formatting guidelines see earlier posts where I explain it.)


Please indicate which question you are answering by retyping it above your answer.



This blog response is Due Wednesday, April 15, 2009 by class-time on blog (or typed, hard copy if you cannot log-in).

Please follow proper heading format:

Your Name
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.05
April 15, 2009

The questions:

• Billie points out that Chris was in a picture at the age of eight on a horse. What does this symbolize in his life?
• Why would Chris withold his infomration on his first W-4 form for Westerberg but write his real information the second time he filled the form?
• Why does Krakauer mention specifically the only class McCandless failed in high school?
• Why do you think McCandless gave his dad a telescope before he left for college? What might this say about Chris' relationship with his Dad?
• What are the similarities shared between Chris and his father?
• Why is sit so hard for authorities to identify Chris? How did they eventually find out his identity?
• In chapter 12 we learn why Chris resents his father? Why? HOw does he find out about his father and what is the result of this?
• In chapter 10, what is is strange about the clothes Chris was wearing when he died?
• In chapter twelve, what was a foreshadowing event that took place? Explain.
• Why do you think everyone who met Chris felt so upset when they found out he died?
• In chapter 12, Carine compares Chris to Jesus on the cross because of all the weight he lost on one of his excursions. Interestingly, how is this description of Chris appropriate in some ways besides the mere physical similarities between the two figures?
• Why was it ironic that Chris wrote his real name on a sign attached to the bus in which he died?
• Why is it ironic that Chris gave his father an expensive telescope for his father's birthday?
• Why/how did Chris leave a lasting impression on the people he met, even after he died?
• What aspects of Chris' personality baffled his parents?
• What does Carine's reaction to the news of Chris' death say about their relationship? Explain.
• What was going through Chris' head at the beginning of chapter 11? What was he feeling?
• In chapter 12, what does Chris get emotional about when he is drinking? Explain the significance of this.

The Journey Continues: Ch. 4-9

Bros:

As with I, John Baptist De La Salle, it is up to you to find your own meanings in reading the text. The only way for a story to become relevant, after all, is for you to fully invest yourself into it as if you were an archeologist trying to uncover some long buried secret about existence.

Anyhow, you create the questions and so you answer ONE of the following in a WELL-DEVELOPED paragraph (or two or three) that quote(s) from the text for support (for formatting guidelines see earlier posts where I explain it.)

Your questions should focus on discovering and explaining the literary techniques we discussed in class earlier this week as they are revealed in one of the chapters between four and nine.

This blog response is Due Wednesday, April 8, 2009 by class-time on blog (or typed, hard copy if you cannot log-in).

Please follow proper heading format:

Your Name
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.05
April 8, 2009

The questions:

• Why is it ironic that Franz actually steps out into the wild? How is it ironic that when Franz decides to live like Alex, a flashflood wipes out his campsite? How is the flashflood a symbol for/representing Alex?

• In chapter eight, we are told that Jon Waterman climbed Mt. McKinley at the age of 16. What does climbing the mountain symbolize? In what way are he and McCandless alike?

• What kind of statement is McCandless making by not wearing socks as told to us in chapter five?

• How does the epigraph of chapter four relate to McCandless' journey as revealed in chapter four? What are some other literary devices used in this epigraph and how do they relate to what is told to us in chapter four about McCandless?

• When McCandless finally gets to the ocean, what is ironic about his situation as recorded in chapter four?

• How does the image of McCandless' drained car help show McCandless what his journey is really about? What does the car symbolize?

• What can be inferred about McCandless' personality based upon the personal possessions found in his car in chapter four?

• In chapter four, we are told that McCandless sends a card to Wayne just before his journey into the Alaskan wilderness. What does this gesture suggest about McCandless' character?

• When he sets out on a hike on Lake Mead, what was the conflict with which McCandless had to deal as Krakauer explains it in chapter four?

• In chapter five, we are told that McCandless spent July and August (circa 1991) on the Oregon Caost and that the "fog and rain was often intolerable" (Krakauer 39). What can this symbolize or suggest about his journey?

• What is foreshadowed by the abandonment of McCandless' car (see chapter four)?

• What could McCandless' burying of his possessions symbolize or suggest after he abandons his car (see chapter four)?

• Why do you think Christopher McCandless such an astounding effect on the people he meets and connects with?

• How does Krakauer use the bear-paw poppy to symbolize McCandless (see chapter four)?