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 011.06
April 8, 2009
The questions:
- In chapter four, Alex explains in his journal that he lived on the street with whinos and bums. He then says then, " 'God it is great to be alive!' " How is it ironic that he is very happy being poor, but could not stand life being a wealthy young man?
- In chapter four, how important is the desert? Why? What are some important things that Alex says about it?
- In chapter five, Alex decides to stop the tramping and settling down in Gulfo City. What does it mean that he almost got to the point of opening a bank account consdiring how adamant he is in leaving behind the capitalistic ways of modern society?
- In chapter four, what are three things that Walsh finds in the floorboards? What do you think they symbolize?
- In chapter four, Alex's Datsun is found in a bear-paw poppy field, a wildflower that is rare and found in an isolated corner of the Mojave Desert. What does this symbolize?
- When Krakauer asks the Alaskan people about Christopher "Alex" McCandless, they say that he is just like "any other tramper that has come through the area." What caused them to form this stereotype about these types of people and why do they apply it to Alex?
- In chapter six, Alex tells Ron Franz that "the joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endless changing horizon, to each day have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life, Ron, you need to lose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter skelter style of life that will at first appear to you to be crazy" (Krakauer 57). Why does Krakauer bring this letter to Ron into the story? What does it suggest about Alex's character? What does the letter and its message symbolize?
- In chapter seven, the belt that McCandless makes is a symbol of what? What is the meaning of him giving it to Wayne Westerberg at the end of the chapter?
- In chapter five, we find out that McCandless is interested in classic authors, especially Jack London. What sparks his interest in London? What does this say about McCandless' character?
- How is the detrital wash symbolic of Alex becoming truly free? (see chapter four)
- In chapter four, when Walt, father of McCandless, says that he is worred about his son and that things "did not add up with the Datsun being abandoned and Chris getting a hitchiking ticket" (31-32) show how McCandless' parents is limited to one point of view about society? About their son?
25 comments:
The wash is symboli because as Brother Peach said in class water is a symbol of new life. It shows by him getting washed that he is starting a life on the road to find out things about himself that he never knew before. It is a great example of his old self getting washed away
- In chapter seven, the belt McCandless makes is symbol of what? What is the meaning of him giving it to Wayne Westerberg at the end of the chapter?
The belt was a symbol of McCandless' freedom and journeys. Since he had scraped drawings into the belt as literal sybols of his journeys. He then gave this to Wayne for safe keeping and to continue the stories that McCandless had told them from the belt. This also shows how this last journey would be to big just to put on a belt.
"In chapter four, Alex's Datsun is found in a bear-paw poppy field, a wildflower that is rare and found in an isolated corner of the Mojave Desert. What does this symbolize?"
This symbolizes the isolation of Alex from the rest of the "normal" society that surrounds them. The rarity of the bear-paw poppies shows that they are out on their own and will most likely not be found. This is the same situation that Alex is in because even though people are there to give him assistance on his long spiritual journey, they can never truly understand what he is trying to accomplish. Since the story began, Alex has always been in a world of his own, and this hasn't really changed at all. I think that Alex appreciates this fact because it gives him a better chance to be an individual than to just live up to society's rules and live a common life with money and everyday struggles. The fact that Alex's Datsun ended up in the field shows how special it is to Alex just as the poppies were to lucky people that are able to find them.
Patrick Doyle
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April 5, 2009
Question-"In chapter seven, the belt McCandless makes is symbol of what? What is the meaning of him giving it to Wayne Westerberg at the end of the chapter?"
Response-The belt is a symbol of "Supertramp"'s progress towards being unattached from society. His belt, as John previously stated, had pictures of his journeys that were scratched into the leather. It also shows that Alex may want his last journey to not keep his first journeys to be lost because he dies in the wild. This belt is a symbol of everything that he's done and if he hadn't passed it on with some explanation of the stories behind it, then the meaning of the adventure would be lost.
Michael Uranker
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April 8, 2009
In chapter four, Alex explains in his journal that he lived on the street with whinos and bums. He then says then, " 'God it is great to be alive!' " How is it ironic that he is very happy being poor, but could not stand life being a wealthy young man?
It is ironic because usually people say it is great to be wealthy, and have money. Alex finds greatness in the poor and in God. He does not care about wealth or money. He cares about the basics of life and being normal.
RyanA.Smith
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Rell011.06
April6,2009
In chapter four,how important is the desert?Why?What are some important things that Alex says about it?
The desert is important because it is the environment of revelation,genetically,physiologally alien,sensorilly austere,esthetically abstrack,and historically inimical.Alex says that the desert sky is encircling,majestic,and terribe.In other habitats,the rim of sky above the horizontal is broken or obscured.
Teddy Larkin
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April 8, 2009
In chapter five, Alex decides to stop the tramping and settling down in Gulfo City. What does it mean that he almost got to the point of opening a bank account consdiring how adamant he is in leaving behind the capitalistic ways of modern society?
This shows that Alex does enjoy the normal life of grilling burgers and living amongst other people. He was considering staying in the city permanently. He was planning on this until his feet got itchy again and he had a great urge to travel alone. Whenever he was alone and free in the wilderness it was like his soul was souring. He loved the thrill and beauty of nature, quiet, and peace. Once he is in a city he does not miss it at first but eventually the urge is too strong for him to resist and he must pick up his belongings and prove to himself that he can live the life of poverty, starvation, and being lonely almost for the whole time.
Cam Brown
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Rell 011.06
April 8, 2009
In chapter four, Alex's Datsun is found in a bear-paw poppy field, a wildflower that is rare and found in an isolated corner of the Mojave Desert. What does this symbolize?
This symbolizes the rarity of Chris McCandless and his point of view. His perception of becoming enlightened was unique in several different ways and thus became it became rare. This could also show that he is not just another "tramp", that he is different and knows what is ahead of him. The isolation of the flowers could symbolize how McCandless was trying to distance and separate himself from society. Additionally, the relinquishing of his Datsun shows further isolation from being a material human.
Michael Sestric
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April 7, 2009
Question - In chapter four, Alex explains in his journal that he lived on the street with whinos and bums. He then says, " 'God it is great to be alive!' " How is it ironic that he is very happy being poor, but could not stand life being a wealthy young man?
In Alex's life he does his best to discover the true meaning of being happy. Most people would not imagine for one moment that happyness can be in a dumpster in Las Vegas. However when Alex set out on his journey he knew that peace and love does not exist in money, and because of this he is able to find it anywhere and everywhere else. Most of us go through life being conformists, living blind and ignorant to the reality that true contentment has absolutely nothing to do with possesions. In 24 short years Christopher McCandless discovered something that most people do not understand in their entire lifetime.
Kris Sabatini
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Rel 011.06
April 7, 2009
In chapter four, Alex explains in his journal that he lived on the street with whinos and bums. He then says then, " 'God it is great to be alive!' " How is it ironic that he is very happy being poor, but could not stand life being a wealthy young man?
He was unhappy being "happy". As a young man he was unable to help those who are less wealth as he was. When he was living with them, he was confortable being with becuase he would much rather be like them than unable to help them.
Nick Durkin
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Rel 011.06
April 8, 2009
In chapter four, Chris's Datsun is found in a bear-paw poppy field, a wildflower that is rare and found in an isolated corner of the Mojave Desert. What does this symbolize?
Like the bear-paw poppy, Chris too is a rare one of a kind. Chris is rare in that he goes to the extreme, giving away all his possesions and living on road. He isn't afraid of what others will think of him or how he'll survive without money or a home. America could be like the Mojave Desert. In America people tend to stick to the norm, not wanting to be the one who sticks out. Therefore our society is often conform and grey.
The rare bear-paw poppy is like Chris in the middle of a bland desert America.
Alex Hooper
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April 8, 2009
In chapter four, Alex explains in his journal that he lived on the street with winos and bums. He then says then, " 'God it is great to be alive!' " How is it ironic that he is very happy being poor, but could not stand life being a wealthy young man?
It is ironic that Chris loves being poor because he has the potential to be really successful in life. But Chris finds it absolutely necessary to go out into the wilderness to be with god in nature without materials. Chris can finally be a happy man once he is poor and a "supertramp".
Vaughn Franz
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April 7, 2009
When Krakauer asks the Alaskan people about Christopher "Alex" McCandless, they say that he is just like "any other tramper that has come through the area." What caused them to form this stereotype about these types of people and why do they apply it to Alex?
In the book Krakauer describes several stories of people similar to Alex. The people he describes are all idealistic, had a fascination with nature, and they all died in the Alaskan wilderness. They people of Alaska thought the same of all these people. They believe that they didn't give nature enough respect and were inexperienced. Krakauer writes "Like Rosellini and Waterman, McCandless was a seeker and had an impractical fascination with the harsh side of nature. Like Waterman and McCunn, he displays a staggering paucity of common sense."(Krakauer 85). The similarities of their stories probably brought them to the same conclusion about Alex. However if you examine Alex's story more closely you can see that he doesn't fit into the stereotype that they apply to him. Therefore the probable cause of this application is the previous individuals that suffered Alex's fate and the unknown details of Alex's story.
Kevin Petnuch
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Religion 011.06
April 7, 2009
How is the detrital wash symbolic of Alex becoming truly free?
The detrital wash is symbolic of alex becoming truely free because in the church, water is a symbol of purification and baptism which is cleansing of sins. This makes the detrital wash almost like a baptism for alex inwhich he cleanses himself of sin and starts a whole new life.
In chapter four, what are three things that Walsh finds in the floorboards? What do you think they symbolize?
In chapter four Walsh finds a Gianini guitar, which i think symbolizes a form of self expression for Chris. Also in the floorboards Walsh finds a garbage bag full of old clothes, which i think represents how Chris was giving up all of his material things in this world or getting rid of all the things normal people in this day and age would call a necessity. To have an once in an life time experience in the wild.Walsh also finds a football in the floorboards of Chris's Datsun. i believe Jon Krakauer used a football the show how Chris was rounding of his life. From being a wealthy man to becoming a poor man living in the wilderness. In a way i think that all of these items symbolize society in general.
Jack Treado
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April 8,2009
How is the detrital wash symbolic of Alex becoming truly free?
The wash is symbolic of freedom because as it takes away Alex's possesions, it takes away his connection to those items. He was attached to them as Chris, but now, as Alex, he no longer needs them as is free. The water is a symbol of new life.
Matthew Miklasevich
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April 8, 2009
In chapter four, when Walt, father of McCandless, says that he is worred about his son and that things "did not add up with the Datsun being abandoned and Chris getting a hitchiking ticket" (31-32) show how McCandless' parents is limited to one point of view about society? About their son?
Chris's parents never fully understood his decision. They were surprised he gave away his college fund to OXFAM, abandoned his car, and was hitchhiking. Like most other people, giving up your entire life to live in the wilderness, and traveling to places like the Alaskan wilderness, seemed foolish and stupid.
The Datsun symbolised Chris's former life. It also could be interpreted as "That Sun", because Chris travelled from the east to the west, like the sun. He abandoned the car, and truly went "into the wild" with no money, and carried as many possesions as he could carry on his back. He never carried more than he had to, and on several occasion, he barely had enough tools or food to survive.
The hitchhiking ticket symbolizes Chris's new life. The fact that hitchhiking is illegal shows that Chris's way of life is not accepted by modern society. Most people thought Chris was crazy. To Chris, that lifestyle was the best thing to ever happen to him. He did not seem hesitant to break society's rules and laws, because they no longer seemed to apply to him. Chris entered the wilderness to create a new life for himself, and he lived by his rules, completely free. He kept going on, experiencing life by taking risks and living life to the fullest.
Matt Doherty
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April 7, 2009
In chapter four, what are three things that Walsh finds in the floorboards? What do you think they symbolize?
Alex Super tramp is caught by a flashflood in chapter four and forced to abandon his reliable Datsun. He is unable to fix the car so he inevitably moves on. Alex Burns all of his cash but he leaves a few item inside the ruined vehicle. Among the remains in the car are old clothing, loose change, and twenty-five pounds of rice. The Datsun is an archive of what Alex is trying to accomplish. Chris McCandless has been erased and the Datsun holds the new record of Alexander Supertramp. Alex has to put work into not being part of society. Alex Supertramp wears old clothing because there isn't a need for new. He isn't trying to follow any trends. The articles of clothing aren't up to date and this reaffirms Alex's separation from society and from the privileged young man he once was. Alex burned the cash, but he could not burn the extra change. The change symbolizes how Alex was giving and he would give up that change to anyone unless he needed it more. The other item that stood out to me was the rice. He had brought the rice planning to live as meager as possible. The rice is the simplicity Alex's life had become. The rice was just a bare necessity. Many fine pints made up Alex's simple life. The rice appears as a basic food yet there are thousands of grains providing the simplicity.
Chris McNulty
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April 8, 2009
When Krakauer asks the Alaskan people about Christopher "Alex" McCandless, they say that he is just like "any other tramper that has come through the area." What caused them to form this stereotype about these types of people and why do they apply it to Alex?
When Krakauer interviews some of the Alaskans, most of them have a steryotype that Alex was just like any other tramper that came through the area. In the past, many people had gone into the Alaskan wilderness, without a proper state of mind, proper equipment, or a backup plan. An example of this was a person who went into the wilderness to study animals and plants, but never had a plan on how to get out, and did not tell the pilot who had droped him off when to returm. After several people had been found dead in the Alaskan Wilderness, the locals formed a steryotype that every hiker or camper that came through the area would end up dead, because they were unprepared for the challenges that they would face. They applied this steryotybe to Alex McCandless too, because they felt that he was naive for going into the wilderness without proper gear or supplies.
George Tsounos
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April 8, 2009
In chapter four, what are three things that Walsh finds in the floorboards? What do you think they symbolize?
In chapter 4 some three things that Walsh finds in the floorboards are a football,a guitar, and loose change in a can.
What i think they symbolize is that the footbal symbolizes his child hood or mabey something he enjoyed to do. The guitar symbolizes pashion and something he liked to do. The loose change symbolized that the life he left behind him and i think he just wanted to start a new life without noughting.
Francesco Speziali
In chapter four, what are three things that Walsh finds in the floorboards? What do you think they symbolize?
He finds a guitar, some clothing in a garbage bag, and a football. These objects seperated symbolize specific parts of our daily lives, such as music and togetherness, or sports and competition. Together, they symbolize our corrupted and blind society today. Every kid in America has fashionable clothing, an iPod, and plays some kind of after school sport. It symbolizes how difficult it is to escape this society, and how it is never questioned, when it is even under your floorboards.
Conor Coleman
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April 11, 2009
In chapter four, Alex explains in his journal that he lived on the street with whinos and bums. He then says, " 'God it is great to be alive!' " How is it ironic that he is very happy being poor, but could not stand life being a wealthy young man?
-When Alexander exclaims " 'God it is great to be alive!' " in his journal, describing his feelings about living an impoverished life as opposed to his previous life of wealth, he reveals to us his true nature, one of "itchy feet." He, unlike many, realized that living comfortably is not really living at all, and to truly experience life one must fight for their own survival and live the life that so many others in this world must endure.
Why do you think that McCandless keeps moving around, not staying in one place for a very long time? What does this suggest about his spirit?
mike s.
Every place you come by, or visit or stay at effects you in a different ways. Each place a different emotion, and gives you different perspectives on yourself. I think McCandless moves because hes trying to find out more about himself and life, so moving more places is gonna give him more emotions and better understanding for what the future has planned for him.
Pat Quirin
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April 8, 2009
In Chapter 4, Alex's Datson is found in a bear-paw poppy field in an isolated corner of the Mojave Desert. What does this symbolize?
The finding of this Datson in chapter four is at least two of the writing styles used that we've discussed. One, is irony I believe because how ironic is it that Chris McCandless goes on a journey into the wilderness to find something that could save him. The thing he found, the Datson, too could've considerably went on its own journey as did McCandless. Low and behold he, Chris, finds the Datson all alone, with a note in the window.
The other is symbolizm. The Datson that Chris finds symbolizes him... He finds it in the middle of nowhere, in "an isolated corner of the Mojave Desert."
This car, The Datson Chris finds symbolizes the spirit of Chris in a sense. The car, found in an isolated corner of the desert doesn't mean it can't run, it means someone ran it there. It didn't just get there. Something had to happen for it to get there. This relates back to Chris. He too runs or ran, per-say, away to find his true self. In this, he finds somewhat of a soul-mate, someone or in this case something that did the extreme..., as did he.
Stephen Stuthers
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April 5, 2009
How is the detrital wash symbolic of Alex becoming truly free? (see chapter four)
The wash is a symbol because it symbolizes starting over. being baptized, and reborn. He is starting a new life away from home out in the wilderness. he wants to find himself in a new way so thet he can better understand the world around him.
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