Brothers,
In a well-crafted essay of at least five, well-developed paragraphs, please give your reaction to Sean Penn's film adaptation of Into the Wild, basing your essay on the following five questions:
1. First of all, what was your overall reaction to the film? Explain in detail.
2. Interpret various images or themes as presented in the film.
3. What are three lessons you learned by watching the film? Explain in detail.
4. To what biblical themes that we've discussed in class do the film relate?
5. How is Alexander Supertramp's journey a spiritual one? Be detailed in your response. If a specific Old Testament biblical passage comes to mind, please reference the passage by indicating the book, the chapter, and the verse numbers. (Think prophets of Israel: How is Chris "Alex Supertramp" McCandless like one of the prophets? Explain.)
This assignment is Due: Tuesday, May 5 by class time. It must be typed or submitted to the blog.
Your heading should be as follows:
Your Name
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
REL 011.05
May 5, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
Matt Bradley
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
REL 011.05
May 5, 2009
After watching Penn's adaptation to Into the Wild, I knew McCandless had death awaiting him going into it, although it was sad to see him die. If he would have went in a little more prepared than he did, he might have made it out alive. Even though Penn exaggerated the abuse and pandemonium of McCandless' family, you can easily see the effect it had on Chris. That was a smart move on Penn's part to do that so the viewers could have some kind of empathy for Chris and his family members.
In Penn's film, there were several images that symbolically had deeper meanings. The first was the car Chris had, the Datsun. It stood for the attitude Chris displayed. He was a bright yellow happy kid, not afraid to venture around. And second was the flash flood that wiped out the Datsun. The flood represented the rebirth of Chris McCandless into Alexander Supertramp, a master of his own destiny. After the flood, Chris left his belongings, burnt his money, and set off for his Alaskan Adventure. The last is the moose. Chris kills a moose but cannot use it because he fails to store it properly. This is not only an insult to life that McCandless holds so dear, but it is also an insult to his pride that he cannot live like the wild man he desires to be. The moose is a symbol of reality. It foreshadows that if McCandless continued to miss out on food and other important things, he will eventually die.
Penn's adaptation of Into the Wild has many lessons inside of it. One of them is that you only have one life, and its up to you to do what you want to do with that one life of yours. McCandless decides that he wants a lot more adventure, choices and risks in his life, so he sets out for Alaska. (Although, way to extreme in my opinion.) Another thing that can be learned from this is that is what McCandless scribbles onto a book towards the end of the film; happiness is only real when shared. If you are alone and have something funny that happened or a good time but nobody to share it with, It is not truly happiness.
McCandless relates to many biblical prophets. He experiences the suffering of Joab and doesn't quit. For Chris that is when he doesn't just leave Alaska, despite all the harsh conditions there. Chris rejects modern society (or is rejected by society) just like Jeremiah, and also they both experience loneliness. McCandless acts like Ezekiel, the prophet who taught through action. That is how Chris lived his life; by example.
The whole Alaskan Odessy can also be taken as a spritual journey. McCandless is going on a father quest. But not a literal father, McCandless is looking for God. Like described by Joseph Campbell's commentary, McCandless sets out to find God, and he ultimately finds the god in himself which was there all along. The only part of the father quest McCandless is missing is the return. He does not actually come back, but through his encounter with the many americans along the journey, they are figuratively his return. I am just personally happy that Chris discovered the god within before his death.
Brett Cerussi
Brother Robert Peach, FSC
Religion 011.05
May 5, 2009
I thought that Sean Penn's adaptation of Into The Wild was a very unique film. I guess it lost a little bit of my interest because I read the book. However it was still entertaining to see the differences between Sean Penn and John Krakaeur interpretation of the film/book.
In Sean Penn's film in my opinion there were many themes presented in the film. One of the most significant themes I believe is when Chris is traveling west and his car floods. It represents a sort of rebirth from Chris McCandless to Alex Supertramp. The flood also represents a "fresh" start for Alex as he liked to be called. Another theme in the film is when McCandless is in the Alaskan wilderness. He sees a Moose and kills it for food for himself. After he killed the moose he had to prepare the moose to eat very quickly. He took too much time to prepare the moose and because of that it was covered in bugs and uneatable. McCandless was not upset that he wasted a life but because he couldn't be the outdoorsman he wanted to be.
I learned that you should never go into something unprepared. McCandless was unprepared and it lead to his downfall. Another lesson I learned is that the way to be happy is being a family man. In this case McCandless breaks away from his family and it led to his unhappiness.
The film relates to the biblical theme of Jeremiah. As like McCandless, Jeremiah broke away from society.
McCandless's journey is a spiritual one for several reasons. I believe this whole journey is god. McCandless has left his family to begin this journey of his. In conclusion McCandless is searching for god.
Patrick Vento
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
REL 011.05
May 5, 2009
My overall reaction of Sean Penn's film "Into the Wild," was that i thought it was a good film. From reading the book "Into the Wild" and seeing the movie i saw many differences but also alot of similarities. Sean Penn being the amazing actor he is, did an excellent job finding and casting actors to play different roles in the film. I think Sean did a very professional job in actually talking and meet with Chris' real family so that he could get the most accurate story possible. I think if he didn't do this the film wouldn't have been as accurate as it was.
I think some symbols that Sean put into the story that had a deeper meaning than some people may have thought are. One his little yellow car. The car i think represented a passion to just go out and basically do what he wants. The car wasn't fancy and sporty and fast, just like Chris, Chris isn't fancy he is sort of beat up and just does what he wants. He's on his own. Another is towards the end when he eats the berries that he thinks are ok but their not. This could symbolize Chris just not really knowing what hes doing in the wild. He has some knowledge but not the basic skills to survive.
Some lessons i have learned from this are. To live life to the fullest. You never know maybe when you might die or something tragic might happen that maybe you can't walk or anything like that. You only get one chance maybe two if your lucky, so when you have the chance take it don't leave it behind because you might never get it again. Aslo another thing i learned was that if you want something in life reach out and grab it. That is true if you want something in life you can't just hope it comes to you need to work and put an effort towards what you want if you do want something. The final thing is if, you want an adventure in life make your own. Maybe not as extreme as Chris' but maybe your own adventure like good grades or something anything just don't be afraid to get out there and do it.
Chris relates to the biblical prophet Jerimiah. He sort of goes on his own doesn't really care for anyone or society basically himself.
His journey is spiritual for many reasons. One reason is to just find himself and really see what his purpose in life is. Two he is doing this to get away whether it be from other people or just the world. Three is to be on his own to have no worries to just have himself and the wild.
Mitchell House
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.05
May 5, 2009
After watching Sean Penn's adaptation of Into the Wild, I felt Penn did a good job. Into the WIld is a story of young man, Chris McCandless, who leaves his family and all of his possessions behind and embarks on a huge journey to Alaska. After living off the land as much as he could, Chris dies of starvation. Even though some details involving Chris's family are stretched, the way Penn formatted the film was very good. The details he added helped the audience realize Chris's real pain at home, whether or not the audience had read the book. Also the actors Penn chose were spectacular for the roles and each character was portrayed like they were described in the book.
An image displayed in Penn's adaptation of Into the Wild, is the image of the moose Chris encounters while in Alaska. Chris kills the moose and as quickly as he can, tries to preserve it. However, he is not quick enough. The flies get to it and the meat is spoiled. Chris is infuriated. Not so much because he took a life and wasted it, but the fact the he himself could not complete the task at hand. The point of his journey was to live off the land and become someone who could achieve anything. However, when he failed, Chris felt he had failed on his quest into the wild.
In Sean Penns's recreation of Into the Wild, we notice many lessons through Chris's experiences. For one, we see the lesson of how important it is to have good relationships with people. Chris, on his journey, had an amazing effect on many people. He changed their lives and touched their hearts, even though he did not believe in human relationships. Which brings us to our second lesson. Close to his time of death, Chris writes in a book, "HAPPINESS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED." This shows a lesson to us and the lesson that Chris learned. Human relationships are extemely important and happiness is truly only real when shared with others. A final lesson from Penn's film was the lesson of determination. Throughout the entire film, Chris journeyed on, even though he could have stayed with many people. However, Chris was not faultered. He continued with what he said he would do and he did it to the very end.
Biblical themes that the film relates to are the relation to Moses, his will for freedom, and also just the fact of crossing the river symbolized Moses. Another theme we can notice that the film relates to is the theme of Noah. Noah used his ark to break free of the old life and arrive in the new just as Chris used his Datsun in the same way. Finally, a theme that relates to Penn's film is the theme of Ezekiel. Ezekiel spoke to the people through action. So in turn, Chris spoke to the people by his action of going into the wild.
Finally, in Sean Penn's film we see how Alexander Supertramp's journey was a spiritual one. Throughout the film we symbols of God. So we, as an audience, can ask if this was a quest for God for Chris. The flooding, the people, and the nature itself are all symbols of God. So in turn, we can realize how Chris's journey really was a journey to find God or the God within himself.
Tom Foley
Bro Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.05
May 5, 2009
I think after watching Sean Penn's adaptation to Into The Wild I realized that Chris isn't as crazy as the book makes him out to be. Because of this it is easier to focous on how bad his family relationship was. I think if he was better prepared by the support and trust of his parents for his trip he would be back here today writing a biography.
Penn's film has some themes and immages that stand out as a deeper meaning. When he first sets out on his journey he gets traped in flash flood that ruins his Datsun. Because of this, he becomes Alexander Supertramp. This represents the rebirth of Chris as he travels on through his journey.
From Sean Penn's adaptation I learned that you always need people in your life as Chris found toward the end of his life. This is ironic because Chris was trying to get away from this. Another lesson that I learned from the film is that if I want something I have to go and get it. Chris tells his friend this right before he leaves Rainey. The last lesson I learned from the film is that life is short so spend time wisely. We never know when it will be our time to die. I was once told that no one is guaranteed the next second so use it right. Don't just live a boring life, go out and take trips and go on adventures.
Chris relates to one main prophet that sticks out to me, Noah. Noah alerts everyone of a massive flood and builds a boat to save everyone. This is the same for when he meets Franz. Franz tells Chris that he hasnt been out of the house in a very long time. He also told Chris that he used to but got too tied up with his work (alot like the flood). Chris saves him by helping him to take these trips once again.
Chris' trip is a spiritual one for many reasons. One reason is he is searching for the spirit within himself to trust his father. He hasnt had a great relationship with his father through his life. He is also looking to trust society. He says that he is being rejected by society but at the end of the book he realizes that he can't live without it.
Paul Costello
Bro. Rob Peach FSC
REL 011.05
May, 5, 2009
I thought that Sean Penn's version of Into The Wild was very interesting. I liked how he went back and forth between McCandless' journey to get to Alaska and him being in the bus already. Also, Penn amplifies the harsh relations between Chris' parents. This helped to show Chris' disapproval of his family's ways, and his need to become independent.
There are many different images that are shown in the film as they are portrayed in the book. For example: the river that McCandless has to cross to get to the bus has great significance. The act of cCandless crossing the river symbolizes a new beginning for himself -- the beginning of his freedom. Thisis similar to Moses leading the Israelites to freedom by crossing the Red Sea.
One of the lessons I learned from this passage is what McCandless writers at the end of the film, "happiness is only real when shared". Another lwesson that can be learned from the film is that you should never break from your family no matter how much you may disagree with them. Had McCandless at least told his parents where he was going, it would have let them not worry so much abouit him. It also could have saved his life. Lastly, as the saying goes, I learned that "it is better to be safe than sorry". If McCandless would have not died of starvation had he been more prepared for his adventure.
The film can relate to a couple of different biblical passages. I think that the most significant is when Chris' car gets flooded. McCandless leaves his car behind, and truly starts his journey at that point. He wlso gives himself the name, Alex Supertramp. I think that this is similar to the story of Noah's Arc. These stories parallel each other not only because of the physical flood, but the sense of a new beginning that both floods bring. McCandless leaves behind his life with others and Noah leaves behind all of the sin committed by the people of the earth that caused God to make the great flood.
McCandless' journey is similar to the Old Testament prophet Moses. Both of these men disagreed with society and stiood up about it. They were both very courageous in their quest for freedom. Also, both of the men ended up dying in their quest.
Robby Mazeski
Bro Peach
Rel 011.05
May6,2009
I thought the movie Into the Wild wa amazing and corresponded pretty closely with the book. My general reaction was that the movie wasa touching story where Chris McCandless went out into the wild to escape the parents he felt ruined his life. In the movie the friends he made along the way were charactized very well and went along well with the rest of the movie. While Chris was dying the director depicted the event in a very dramatic way. The result in the end was very touching and heartwarming.
One image in the movie that was very depressing but a true reality for Chris was his death. I cannot even fathom what he went through starving to death. One theme that was noticeable throughout the was that happiness is only real when it is shared. It was evident when he was Rainny, Jan and Ron Franz that he seemed to be happiest. By himself he was depressed and lonely.
One lesson that I learned from Chris was always find the beauty in life. Which Chris McCandless went into the wild to find the beauty in life and I believe that he did. The second lesson that I learned in the movie, Into the Wild is always be prepared. I believe that if Chris would have double checked which plants a human could eat he would be telling his story today. The third lesson that I learned fro Chris is always follow your dream.No one was able to stop Chris on his way to Alaska, not Rainy,not Jan or Ron. He always told everyone who wanted to change his mind that Alaska is the first ansd only thing on his mind.
I believe Chris McCandless relates to Jeremiah. I think that because Jeremiah did something jusy like Chris. Jeremiah left society and Chris left also to getaway from materail life and his parents.That is why Jeremiah relates to Chris in the movie.
I believe Alex's trip was a spititual one more towards the endof his trip before he died. Alex's trip became more spritual after he killed the moose and didn't get anything out of it. That made him appreciate the life of all animals and living things. I think one of thereasons he left was to geta spiritual cleaning. I think he was almost more than ready to go back to real life and the outside world again. However he made a eventual death.critical mistake which caused him to fall and
I did not see the whole film but from what I saw I think it portrayed the book pretty well. The main complaint I had with the movie was that they aided in that his parents were thinking about leaving each other and quite frankly that was not true at all. I also thought the movie having Chris talk to himself was extremely unfactual as you have said in class brother Chris Mcandless was a very down to earth and sane character.
I liked how when Chris was working in Bullhead city at the Burger king how he did not wear shoes. I thought this was a great symbol because I will use an example you can never domesticate a wild animal like a gorilla,Chimpanzee,snake,or tiger.Chris is like these animals in the fact that he wants to be out on the road living on the land. I think this is crazy but to Chris it is a way for him to find himself. He eventually does at the end of the story when he is about to die he says that happiness is only good when shared with others.
I have learned to respect nature because if you do not respect nature youcould go out and get killed like Mcandless.The second lesson is to fallow your heart no matter where it takes you like the other day you asked me what I loved and Charished in my life were and shat I considered being sucessful I quickly responded family this is Chris way of being sucessful and follwing his heart.I also learned that It is better to Love than never to love at all. As Chris is about to die I think he realizes this and regrets never settling down and starting a family.
I think the biblical theme is to go into the wild and come out a new person because the Hebrews did this in exodus and Jesus also did this and also to avoid temptations like when John k. goes to climb the moutain even though it would be easier to pack up and go home with his tail between his legs and go home he doesnt he pushes his body to the limit to reach his objective.
As I said in the paragraph before I think it has to do with temptation like what happens to the prophet Job. It is basically about God showing the devil that Jobs faith will perserver over anythin g the devil throws at him Job could have siad I hate you God and give up. He trusts though that God is doing this all for reason and stays faithful. I believe at sometimes Chris Mcandless wanted to turn around and go home but he chose to perserver.
Steven Passarello
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.05
May 5, 2009
After watching Sean Penn's adaptation of Into The Wild, my reaction was changed from my initial reactions to the book. At first I thought McCandless was stupid for what he did, but seeing it all play out in the film I started to change my mind. I now think that McCandless was trying to porve a point about how we view society. We view society as materialistic, but McCandless challenges us to view it from what we need not what we want. The most moving part of the film, to me was when McCandless begins to feel the effects of being alone and he writes about happiness only being good when shared. At this point we see that McCandless realizes he needs people in his life ,b ut at this point it is too late.
Another thing that the movie portrays well are the stages of McCandless' new life. Penn includes chapter titles including birth, adolesence, manhood, family, and getting of wisdom. Chris goes through rebirthing in the flash flood when he decides to destroy his possesions from his old life. Adolesence and manhood come at other points in his journey. Family comes to Chris when he meets people along his journey such as Rainey, Jan , Wayne, and Ron. the Getting of wisdom happens when Chris realizes that he needs people in his life.
By watching this movie I learned several things. One of them is to live your life to the fullest. Chris always felt his life was missing something so he fixed that. Secondly, we learn that you need people who love you in your life to share your happiness with. Chris learns this lesson the hard way and it was a contributing factor to his death. Lastly i bleive we learn that we only have one life, one chance to accomplish our dreams, we shoudl pursue whatever it is we want to do to the fullest like Chris pursued his journey until his death.
Alexander Supertramp's journey is a "Father-Quest". He is looking not for a real father in a sense, but on a quest for God. Chris is looking for the ultimate freedom in his life that only a true connection with God can bring to a person's life. Chris' quest eventually took him to what a lot of people believe to be a gateway to that ultimate freedom with God , his death.
Chris represents many porphets that we've read about. Chris is a tue prophet because of his counter-cultural message that makes him different from most people. He suffered like Joab , but both still pursued. He lived alone and was a type of recluse like Jeremiah. However, I believe that Chris most likely is like a modern day Ezekiel. Both Ezekial and Chris taught by example.
Penn's adaptation of Into The Wild was well written. This movie gave me a different perspective I didn't see in the book. It made Chris and his family and the people he met come to life and put a face to the name in the text. This film really shows accuratley and well what McCandless went through and really made the importance of this book hit home.
Post a Comment