Into the Wild #2

     In chapter one we come to find that Chris is extremely unprepared to face the harsh Alaskan weather. The materials he had in his possesion were lacking to say the least. His materials did not serve any protecton for the conditions present. After disecting the information that i have accumulated during the first three chapters I beleive Chris did think he had an adequate amount of supplies. Toward the end of chapter one, Gallien had to persuade Chris to take his lunch that Gallien's wife had prepared him that day. Since Gallien said he had to persuade him, this shows me that Chris beleived he had an adequate amount of supplies to survive without complication for a certain period of time. Also, I believe that Chris walked into the woods with intention of not walking out. Although his note showed otherwise, I am beginnning to think that he may have placed it there to show that he did not expect to die. What cathes me is that he says he is too weak to hike out but he is collecting berries in the near viscinity. If he is to weak, why would he be moving around?
    Furthermore, I like that Krakauer starts the story with the end. I personally like to know what happens in a book and gradually learn new information. This raises many flags for me because now I think of everything that is happening and I want to continue to read and find out about the protagonist. I beleive that Krakauer's purpose in telling this tale in this fashion is to draw the reader in and have them continue reading out of pure suspence. He may also have done this to show key points in the story such as his S.O.S note.
     Lastly, my reaction to McCandless's note makes me very suspensfull. I begin to accumulate many questions which dont have answers unless I read on. I biggest flag raised was that he says he is nearby and will return later on that evening. If it takes that long to get around he must be distanced from the actual location. After thinking about this, I am starting to wonder if his S.O.S note is used to draw someone in. I think this because he underlines and is expressing "...no joke" with extra effort; S.O.S notes are already serious. Why go the extra extent to show he is not joking?  This raises a huge flag and shows me that maybe Chris McCandless is crazy...

Into the Wild Blog #1

     Thus far, I believe that Christopher McCandless is an intelligent  individual but does not understand his situation, nor his life. I believe he had a reason for what he did but does not understand what he was up against. There are key points in the novel which help describe him. Wayne Westernberg described him as "...intelligent"(18), he also proclaimed that McCandless "...used a lot of big words"(18). This shows me that maybe McCandless was trying to portray himself as a smart individual. Furthermore, I believe that he did perish out of stupidity because he was warned before hand what he was embarking on.
     In chapter one, Jim Gallien drove McCandless to the mouth of the unmaintained road. Jim understood what McCandless's situation was because of the poor equipment he had in his possession.. Jim then continued to badger McCandless about what he was embarking on but McCandless resisted any assistance he was offered. This shows me that McCandless strictly wanted to succeed on his won. Later on we come to find that he rejects any assitance that his parents offer him. All his life he trys to get through things on his own. He does not accept assistance from anywone unless he obtains it himself.
     Overall, I beleive McCandless was wanting to flee the modern world and survive by himself for an extended period of time. This strangely sounds like what some Native Americans have done to spirtiually find themselves. They go out in the wilderness and survive; they wait for signs which tell them about themselves and their future. Maybe McCandless was attempting to do the same thing, find himslef.