Into The Wild Blog Exercise #1

My initial impression of this book is a mostly positive one. Alex [Chris] McCandless strikes me as a very interesting character because of the fact that he wished to isolate himself from all people and go off into the mountains of Alaska. Why did he want this solitude when he was a very well liked person?

In my opinion, yes, Chris is indeed courageous. Many people from his old home town in South Dakota were thinking he was ignorant for going off on his own into the wild with very few supplies, but sometimes people just need a break from life in general. Whatever compelled Chris to feel a need to take a break, I'm not quite sure, but it might have something to do with how he was always studying so hard at his college.

Overall, the main theme I'm getting from this book, is that humans need to take a break from life when they are under a lot of pressure or stress to excel in life itself. Chris McCandless was so tired of everyone putting a lot of stress over his intelligence and how he was such a hard studier; He needed a time to say 'Screw you guys.' and go off on his own and truly relax for the first time ever. All people need a chance to do this.

Chris McCandless reminds me very much of Frodo Baggins because of how they both felt a need to get away a life, and go on a journey. Frodo had a much clearer quest than Chris did, Frodo needed to destroy the ring, but they both would face a lot of natural obstacles caused by nature that truly got in the way of things.

Chris McCandless in a way, helps me make a text-to-self connection. If I was given the chance to sort of disappear and get away from society, I'd agree 100% that I needed an opportunity to be alone. I'm truly not a people person and need my isolation probably more than your average person does, but going off into the mountains and dying alone sounds like something I'd like to do.

Text-t0-world, in a way, Chris McCandless reminds me of just about any single suicidal person you've ever heard stories about, or news reports about, on the tele. Why would he go into the mountains knowing that he could die? Why did he lust for adventure and a thrill so badly? Most of the people that I know who don't fear death are... A bit on the depressed side. And maybe Chris McCandless isn't depressed or in a low state-of-mind, but is a truly happy daredevel. But he's not striking me as one.