Chris McCandless misjudges happiness

Martin:1

Montell Martin

Greens

March 26, 2010

Chris McCandless “Alexander Supertramp” died pursuing his dream.Some says that he was a hero, while others say that he was crazy and suicidal.But can pursuing your dream lead you to death? Yes it can. In the book Into the Wild, you read about the life of Chris McCandless dream was to go to and live in the wild of Alaska and experience the life that he dreamed.Was Chris was a little extreme, and suicidal? I think so.
Chris was ill-equipped and should have done his research.If he would have known what was in the wild in Alaska; he might still be alive to or would have made it out the wild.He could have did research to see if there was any rivers that was connected to mountains, or just plain rivers.; He should have checked the time of year to see if the rivers where going to be flowing badly.I think that research can save a life, and help you become more prepared on where you are going. But why didn’t he then stay at the bus and starve? Why, come August, didn’t he try once more to cross the Teklanika."(Krakauer Page 174).
I feel that Chris was a little crazy.Nobody would ditch their family for a foolish little snoop in the in the wild. He didn’t keep in contact with his family.Chris didn’t write any letters to his family, he didn’t bother to call either.In my opinion, the worst part about him leaving his family behind is that he didn’t leave a trace behind. ”Alex is a nut in my book”, “Why would any son cause his parents and family such permanent and perplexing pain?”(Page 71)
Chris made some bad decisions. One that he made I think was nothing calling his parents to call them and let them know what happened. Another mistake that he made was not doing his research before attempting a life and death matter. He should have done more research then juts looking up with berries can he eat in the Alaskan wild. While he felt not at ease in the wild, he should have tried to leave it then. But instead, he waited until he was about to die to make a effort to leave the wild and return to society.
My point of view of Chris was that he was crazy, and suicidal. But, he was brave and in some ways a hero. He has shown some people to follow their dreams. He showed people should follow theirs are no matter where they led them. Even, if their dreams or heart led them to death.
Death is a hard pill to swallow. Especially for a family of an explorer that wanted nothing to do with them. Chris was suicidal, in a case that he knew what he was doing before he got himself into danger, and while he was in the wild. He knew that there was a chance that he was not going to come out of the wild alive, “Hey Guys! This is the last communication you shall receive from me. I now walk out to live amongst the wild. Take car, it was great knowing you.” (page 69)

My blog about Chris,

I am not sure which way to go on this case. My opinion about Chris is some where in the middle. I think he was just a regular young adult that loves to explore. He wanted to follow his dreams and nobody can take that away from him because everybody would follow there dreams. But on the other hand, I think he was a little crazy. He should have came more prepared to his journey. He should have did some research on where he was going and what he need to bring with him.

Into the Wild Summary

Into the Wild is by Jon Krakauer and is a non-fiction novel. The novel is about McCandless known as "Alexander". His body was found an a abandon bus in Alaska. He goes missing for about 2 years; and when he was found his body was about 67 lbs.When his body was found he had less than 10% of body fat. A theory is that he died of starvation. Alexander survived for 112 days in the Alaskan wilderness. Searching for edible berries and roots. He kept an journal throughout the days he was missing.

Jon Krakauer Biography

Jon was born in Brookline,Massachusetts but raised in Corvallis, Oregon. He was the third child out of five from the age of two. He graduated in 1972 from Corvallis High School. He went to Hampshire College in Massachusetts. Graduated from college in 1976 and received his degree in Environmental Studies. He got married in 1980 to Linda Mariam Moore. They live in Seattle, Washington but moved to Bolder, Colorado.

The place I want to be

The place I would like to visit is California. The weather is great and is better than what I have experienced in my lifetime so far. I would get to California by a plane. I would probably catch a flight with a family member or a friend. California is known for there good weather. The weather is like 90 degrees around everyday during summer. That is just the lowest the weather would be during the day. Also there is a chance that you might meet somebody famous.

Chris McCandless Character

Direct Characterization is the method of character development in which the author simply tells what the character is like. Indirect Characterization is when the writer reveals information about a character and his personality through the characters thoughts, words, and actions.
These are twenty Direct, and Indirect examples

1. Helpful, gave his money to charity. 'Authors note'
2. Explorer, travels to Alaska.'5'
3. Finicky, not rude to people that helped him. '18'
4. Young, he was only out of college. '20'
5. Healthy, he had to be fit to be able to walk so far. '17'
6. Brave, he was able to face the dangers of the world.
7. Tramp, he traveled both on foot, and in car.'29'
8. Hard worker, because he was willing to do any kind of work. '18'<
9. Intelligent, Because he was very smart with words, and he graduated from one of the top colleges in the country. '18'
10. Skinny, because he couldn't eat enough food every day just to survive, and when he got to Alaska he could only eat plants. 'Authors note'
11. Wealthy, because he cam from an upper class family. '19'
12. Journalist, because he kept his own journal on his experiences. '33'
13. Creator, because he started his own life with a new name, and life. '23'
14. Risk taker, because he didn't fear anything he would just do it. '32'
15. Outdoors man, because he pretty much lived outside for about three years on his journey. 'Authors note'
16. Loner, because on his travels he didn't really communicate with anybody except the people that helped him. '12'
17. Optimistic, because he would never look at the downside of things he would always live the things positively. '36'
18. Under estimator, because he did not pack as much stuff that he really needed. '5'

19. Respectful, because he would leave the places where he stayed in the form that he got there in. '26' 20.Wanted, because he thought that his family didn't want him to be in there life, but they did, and became concerned. '31'

My impression on Chris so far the story is that his a bit odd, but he is a very interesting person that i would like to meet if had the chance. I think that he was a good man that just wanted to escape reality for a little while, but unfortunately he didn't prepare for it the right way.

My Symbolic Belt

There are a variety of things I would like to put on my leather belt. But, I'm only allowed eight things to put on my fantastic belt. The first thing I would put is 413 together so it'll make it one item. I would want this on my belt because it represents my birthday which is April, 13. The second thing I will put on my belt is the word Aries. I've choose this because it is my symbol Zodiac and I am an Aries. The third piece of information I am going to put on there is a linking family of twelve. It is a symbol of my family with my five brothers and four sisters; then there is me. The other two people are my mother and my father. I'll put this on there because I love my family no better what. The fourth that will be honored on my belt is a basketball. I love basketball and have a burning desire. The fifth thing that will be going on my belt is a football. I like to play football. Some people say that I am better at football than I am at basketball. I don't care what they think, I just know that it's my dream and I'll do anything to make my dream come true. The sixth thing I'll put on is the number 23. It is one of my favorite number and the number of my idol; LeBron James. The seventh thing I'll put is the number 5. That was my first favorite number. The last thing I will put on my belt is a cross. The cross will represent Jesus. If it wasn't a Jesus and a God, then there would be no life.