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My point is that you do not need me or anyone else around to bring this kind of light in your life. It is simply waiting out there for you to grasp it, and all you have to do is reach for it. The only person you are fighting is yourself and your stubbornness to engage in new circumstances.
- McCandless aka Alex in a letter to Ron
Elliott Dryjanski
My favorite quote in the book “Into the Wild” is on page sixty seven. It’s the third full paragraph and it reads “’There was something fascinating about him,’ explains Mrs. Westerberg, seated at the polished walnut table where McCandless dined that night. ‘Alex struck me as much older than twenty four. Everything I said, he’d demand to know more about what I meant, about why I thought this way or that. He was hungry to learn about things. Unlike most of us, he was the sort of person who insisted on living out his beliefs.’” I like this part because it helps describe the kind of person Chris McCandless was, strong, stubborn, and firm on his beliefs.
There are very few people who will hold a conversation and actually listen to what you have to say. They’re just hard to find. Chris, however, was one of those people. That is one of the biggest things I admire about him. I like the way he would pay attention to the people who were helping him out when he needed it. He would really become invested in their conversations.
There are certain people in this world who strongly promote their way of life. They’re the ones who “live out their beliefs”. Chris was again one of these people. Whenever he would go somewhere and someone tried to stop him from attempting to live in the wild he wouldn’t have it. He wouldn’t argue but he wouldn’t allow them to weigh in on his decision making. He was his own man and that’s extremely admirable.
-Olivia Arnold, 4th period, English II
My favorite quote from Into the Wild is on page 21,"' I can't believe they'd try and buy me a car," he later complained to Carine,' or that they think I'd actually let them pay for my law school if I was going to go.... I've told them a million times that I have the best car in the world, a. Car that has spanned the continent from Miami to Alaska, a car that in all those thousands of miles not given me a single problem, a car that I will never trade in, a car that I'm very strongly attached to_yet they ignore what I say and think I'd actually accept a new car from them! I'm going to have to be real careful not to accept any gifts from them in the future because they will think they have bought my respect.'"
I liked this quote because it showed how Chris thought about his parents and how firmly he stands by his beliefs.
~Anthony Zaniolo
My favorite quote in the novel Into The Wild is on page 198. It says "He signed the note "Chris McCandless. August?" Recognizing the gravity of his perdicament, he had abandoned the cocky moniker he'd been using for years, Alexander Supertramp, in favor of the name given to him at birth by his parents." I like this quote because shows a lot about how Chris's personality changed over the course of his trip.
Chris left his home in the first place to travel to Alaska he wanted to get away from everyone in his family, all his friends, and society. Since he didn't want anything to do with anyone or anything he changed his name to something nobody would know him by. All throughout the trip he went by that name. However when his trip was coming to an end because he knew his life was now in danger, he should sign this note he wrote with his real name. Since he finally completed this trip, there was nothing more from him to get away from. This was also a way for his parents to be contacted if his body was ever found dead. This could have been a way for closure to everyone he knew.
In the book "Into The Wild," there is a passage on pages 5 and 6 where the character Gallien spoke about Alex McCandless: "I said hunting wasn't easy where he was going, that he could go for days without killing any game. When that didn't work, I tried to scare him with bear stories. I told him that a 22 probably wouldn't do anything to a grizzly except make him mad. Alex didn't seem too worried. 'I'll climb a tree' is all he said. So I explained that trees don't grow real big in that part of the state, that a bear could knock down one of them skinny little black spruce without even trying. But he had an answer for everything I threw at him."
This passage provides us with a great base of knowledge about Chris. This is my favorite quote in the book because its the first quote in the book that informs us about what people thought of Chris. How he was a young driven man that was ready for adventure. It gave us an idea of what kind of man Chris was. He presented himself as if he could take on any challenge that faced him. Gallien gave us a good base to build off of for our impression of "Chris McCandless."
"McCandless was thrilled to be on his way north, and he was relieved as well-relieved that he had once again evaded the impending threat of human intimacy, of friendship, and all the messy emotional baggage that comes with it."
In my eyes, that quote says more about Chris McCandles than anything else to be found in the novel. After reading this passage I've found myself beginning to understand Chris a bit more-he was afraid to form relationships. Afraid to be hurt, perhaps, or to be weighed down by these ties, thus turning him more human than he wished to be. He broke all connections with his family and friends because of that fear. However, while my usual response might be that his behavior is cowardly and stubborn, I'm beginning to understand that it's probable he found it hard to understand the give-and-take aspect of human relationships and their complexity.
Living with an autistic family member, I know from experience that some people have intelligent minds but socially they cannot function as well as most people do. I believe that Chris, although it may not be as severe or identical, has issues resembling these. The fact that other people's minds don't always work in the same way as his is something he doesn't quite grasp, and therefore he cannot understand his peers, friends, colleagues or family.
Understanding the other person's point of view, their perspective on things, and taking them into consideration rather than writing them off immediately...this is perhaps the most important factor when it comes to making relationships with anybody work. Chris is the type of person who would argue with a sign post-he simply cannot conceive the possibility of somebody else's opinion's being just as worthwhile as his own. I believe that this was his ultimate weakness, and what led him to disaster.
However, I am beginning to realize that it was not entirely his fault-it's not something a person can change without help, and I highly doubt Chris received any. in a way, I think Chris's family was no more understanding than he was-it was evident that he should have been given more support, that they should have focused their efforts on that more exuberantly. If Chris could have learned to associate better with others, learned that nobody can survive when they are alone in the world...he may be alive today. It's a sad thought, but I believe his fate could have been much different if circumstances had been changed early on.
My favorite passage from Into the Wild is, “It is the experiences, the memories, the great triumphant joy of living to the fullest extent in which real meaning is found. God it’s great to be alive! Thank you. Thank you.” from pg 37. This was an excerpt from one of Chris’s journals while he was in Las Vegas.
This is my favorite passage from the book because it reminds the reader that the most important things in life are not tangible, material things. Rather, they are the experiences and memories you gather through life. The passage also reminds the reader of how thankful they should be to be alive with the ability and opportunities to do so much. The passage encourages to go do things that will make life worth remembering, as opposed to just sitting through it as it passes you by.
I also think this passage, although written more than fifteen years ago, is still very relevant today. Too often, people find themselves in jobs, relationships, and places they hate, but are too afraid of ending up somewhere worse to take a risk for something better. They sit around worrying about money and their futures, while they ignore the present and let chances to make real, happy memories pass them by.
Julie Wiegel
My favorite passage from the book was Chris’ journal entry on July 2nd, where he talks about what he has learned throughout his trip after finishing reading Tolstoy’s “Family Happiness” on page 169.
“He was right in saying that the only certain happiness in life is to live for others… I have lived through much, and now I think I have found what is needed for happiness. A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor- such is my idea of happiness. And then, on top of all that, you for a mate, and children, perhaps- what more can the heart of a man desire?”
This passage is very revealing of Chris’ feelings after spending over two years away from his family and living a life on the go. I thought it was interesting to see how his thoughts had changed after getting away from society for a while and finishing “Family Happiness”. He finally felt like a settled life in the country with a steady job and a family of his own while relaxing occasionally through music, books, and nature may seem like a realistic and happy life for him instead of one constantly on the go.
This passage really intrigued me because if opened up a window of predictions about what Chris would have done had he been able to cross Teklanika River and return home. It suggests he may have changed his adventurous ways and instead would stay in touch with his family more and start a career for himself. No matter how normal his life would be after his excavation, however, he would still have a certain attachment to the wild and detachment from society. Though he might start a career and maybe even a family, I feel he would always go on trips like the one he had just finished, only now he would shorten them, knowing that “the only certain happiness in life is to live for others”.
I chose the passage " I wanted movement and not a calm course of existence. I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love. I felt in myself a superabundance of energy which found no outlet in our quiet life." because it shows how Chris wanted to be different then everyone else and live his life with energy and excitement. His thought of that I feel is the same today because most people don't let go and have fun for ounce. This passage makes me want to do more with my life than be quiet and listening to what others say. This passage is how I believe most people wish they could live but don't take the chance.
Chris's passage at the beginning of chapter 3 is so important on how Chris made all of his decisions. He lived his life by that passage after he graduated college.He took the chance of living with no restraints and danger which sadly led to his death. This passage shows how Chris took what he read and believed into action. Every action Chris made with his life i think was related to this passage.Chris took what he believed to the level of extreme and crazy.
“How I feed myself is none of the governments business. **** their stupid rules.”
Of all the quotes in the book this is my favorite because it gives a good look on how Chris felt about authority in general in his days. It was often said how Chris carried himself with an over-confident stance, and never liked the “rule” of anybody. It was said by one of his teammates that, “I think he would have been unhappy with any parents; he had trouble with the whole idea of parents” (115). His dislike for authority came in any form.
On many occasions he would find himself not committing to certain after school activities. For example, his talent of playing the French horn which led him to be in the American University Symphony. Chris’ way of life steered him to eventually quit the symphony because of disagreements with the band leader. In a way his “never bow down to the man” attitude is and inspiration in some form. He showed leadership, confidence and opinions in his beliefs. Although a person shouldn’t take it to that sort of extreme, in this quote there is a message. I am my own person.
Omar Alzein
Blog 9/13/2011
Chris’ adventure withdrew him from society but kept him close to God. Alex says, “You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living.” This is my favorite quote because it shows that even Chris can find joy in the things he does. The quote also explains that even though Chris rejected society, he did not reject religion.
Chris doesn’t always find joy in what he see’s, this is one of the very few times through out the book that he seems to be optimistic. From what we read we think that walking for transportation and moving form place to place a hard lifestyle but Chris seems to find joy in it. Chris also says “You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships.” What I received from this portion of the quote is that Chris doesn’t feel the need to get married because he found joy in many of the other things in life.
From this quote we can not only gather Chris’ ideas on human relationships but also relationships with religious figures. “You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. “God has placed it all around us.” Chris has checked out of society but has kept ideas of an “all ruling master”. Even Chris has no answer to how we came about so he chose to believe in what could end up being a figment of our imagination.
“He saw the flash flood as an opportunity to shed unnecessary baggage. He concealed the car as best he could beneath a brown tarp, stripped it of its Virginia plates, and hid them. He buried his Winchester deer-hunting rifle and a few other possessions that he might one day want to recover…. He arranged all his paper currency in a pile on the sand, a pathetic little stack of ones and fives and twenties, and put a match to it. One hundred twenty-three dollars in legal tender was promptly reduced to ash and smoke.”
This was without a doubt, my favorite quote in the book “Into the Wild” I was in awe when I read this. To me it really showed that Chris really was going out into Alaska with no money, supplies, or personal transportation. Chris McCandless gave away his life, and there was no turning back. This was a point in the book that made me love and hate him at the same time, through the same quote.
I admired the fact that he was going to chase and fulfill his dreams that best way he could. Chris was then a person who did not just talk about what they “wanted” to do, Chris actually did it. However, he was arrogant, ignorant, selfish, immature, and idiotic for doing this. His arrogance was so strong; he thought he could beat mother nature. Chris thought he could travel into the wild of Alaska and survive without the correct sleeping bag, gun, food, clothing, and mindset. It was almost as if he wanted to die there, so he took the bare minimum with him. Chris McCandless was immature for being that arrogant and ignorant despite being so young. Chris left his family and did not tell them when he was leaving or where he went, a selfish act if you ask me. They were the people that raised you, yet you leave them. Yes his parents might not have been the best in the world. However if I was in his parents shoes, I would be devastated. For me personally, I love what Chris McCandless did, however I believe he did it for the wrong reason. He had a great idea, but Chris executed it the wrong way.
-elle macey
My favorite quote in the novel is, "He was hungry to learn about things. Unlike most of us, he was the sort of person who insisted on living out his beliefs." The reason I find this quote my favorite is because it reminds me of myself. Chris always seemed interested to learn new things, because he enjoyed listening to things people would tell him. I like doing that, as well.
Also, Chris always followed his own beliefs and mind. He never really cared what was wrong and right, he was more worried about if it made him feel good and if he believed in it. I believe I am the same way, because I rather do what I think is right then do something that may be right to someone else but in my mind is wrong. This quote makes me see some things Chris and I have in common.
'So many people live within un-happy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life, Ron, you must lose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty.’ page 56-57
When I first read the description on the back of the book, I wondered what urged Chris to do such a bold thing as to drop out of society all together and live out in the wild, by himself. His death becoming the outcome of this also made me wonder what his intentions were. Starting the book, my thoughts on Chris was that he might be at a lost part in his life, not knowing what to do with his life, or suicidal, so with all hopelessness went to live in the wild. I was quickly proven wrong by Chris’s charisma towards life and the beauty of nature. Especially after reading this quote, I realized that Chris was not only NOT suicidal but finally really living. After taking off into the wild Chris was living life to it’s full extent. Not just handing out burgers to homeless people on his leisure time but this was now his life. The world was his home, beautiful wonders waiting to be discovered by him. When reading this quote it all made perfect sense to me, everything clicked. Not only was this a philosophy, a way to live by, for Chris but me also. Of course not to the full extent and extremity like Chris but it really inspired me and touched a certain part of me. I’ve always thought growing up, accomplishing all my dreams, being ‘happy’ and living in the ‘norm’ was not appealing. Something about doing the same thing everyday, like a groundhogs day esque lifestyle , was extremely depressing. Spontaneousness is happiness. Chris wrote down what I couldn’t say.
Sami Shabeeb
English 2
Blog
September 13 at 11:00 p.m. CST
In the novel, Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer writes “McCandless took life’s inequalities at heart. During his senior year at Woodson, he became obsessed with racial oppression in South Africa. He spoke seriously to his friends about smuggling weapons into that country and joining the struggle to end apartheid” (113). This happens to be my favorite quote for several reasons. In this quote Krakauer expresses how passionate Chris was for bettering other’s lives rather than his own, no matter the consequences. Chris's mindset about global justice is one that we should all aspire to have.
This quote in particular connects me to Chris because he speaks of rebelling against discrimination and inequality, which I too would want to take part of in several countries today. It sums up his emotion towards political and social injustice and strife, and explains that he is not completely selfish and ignorant.
My favorite quote in the whole book is on chapter 12 page 123. This personally is my favorite quote because it sums up Chris’s entire political view in one bold quote, “The government is best when governs the least” – Thoreau’s declaration in “Civil Disobedience”. Chris had many reasons to believe that the government was not fit to run the country.
I think Chris thought most people were corrupted by materialistic things. One page 123 Chris was a harsh judger of human character and thought every mistake that a person made, reflected on their character. So Chris would have been furious at all the crooked politicians because he states on the “The Emory Wheel” that 1988 was one of the most political corrupt and scandalous years in modern history. Chris thought these people were ruining the whole country just so they could make another dollar. This is one of the reasons why he thought the government should not be so involved (the less it governs the less it ruins). He also thought many people were untrustworthy, Especially his father because on page 121 when he found out his father was cheating with his ex-wife. This is why Chris became more withdrawn from society and didn’t think the government was capable of fulfilling its duties.
Chris had many reason to dislike the government such as corruptions and also lack of qualities in people such as trustworthiness and hard work. These factors acted as catalysts for what fueled Chris to “escape the chains of society and live in the wild”
My favorite quote was on page 87 when he sais, "it is true that I miss intelligent companionship, but there are so few with whom I can share the things that mean so much to me that I have learned to contain myself. It is enough that I am surrounded by beauty..."
The reason that I like this quote is because he finally realizes that he needs to come together and take care of himself more and to stop and look at all of the wonderful things that surround him. Also he finds out that the area is full of nature and he needs to praise it and he is lucky to be in such a good spot.
I feel that he is becoming a better person now because he is finally realizing how much he has and he needs to take into consideration that he is not with anyone and it was his choice to go out. He seems to have matured because he seems to really enjoy the natual surroundings and that makes him feel just like he wanted to feel from when he was living at home.
Jacob Ellenby
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