The Inspiration

http://www.biography.com/people/leo-tolstoy-9508518

Leo Tolstoy
Famous for the book(s): "War and Peace", and "Anna Karenina".
Favorite line(s): "I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love." (15)
Connection to Chris McCandless and his outlook on life: Chris McCandless was dead-set on running off into the wild and living out his dream. This quote reflects Chris' desire to explore despite the dangers of it, because he loved exploring so much.
Source: http://www.biography.com/people/leo-tolstoy-9508518

Anthony Storr
Famous for the book(s): "Solitude: A Return to the Self"

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/36033.Anthony_Storr

Favorite line(s): "It is true that many creative people fail to make mature personal relationships, and some are extremely isolated. It is also true that, in some instances, trauma, in the shape of early separation or bereavement, has steered the potentially creative person toward developing aspects of his personality which can find fulfillment in comparative isolation." (61)
Connection to Chris McCandless and his outlook on life: Many of the people that met Chris say he was very intelligent but also say he seemed like he didn't want any personal attachments. Chris was very different from his father and the differences separated them and likely caused Chris to develop his own personality that was okay with being isolated hence his want for solo exploration.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Storrh

http://www.edwardhoagland.com/

Edward Hoagland
Famous for the book(s): "The Final Fate of Alligators", and "Kwan's Coney Island".
Favorite line(s): "We have in America "The Big Two-Hearted River" tradition: taking your wounds to the wilderness for a cure, a conversion, a rest, or whatever." (70)
Connection to Chris McCandless and his outlook on life: Chris looked to the wild as an escape, a place to get away from the emotional baggage. This quote shows Chris' wanting to be cured of his longing to escape.
Source: http://www.edwardhoagland.com/


Favorite Quote: "The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates
What would Chris think? Would he "get it"?: I believe Chris would understand this quote and hold it near to him because he examined life and lived it and made his existence worth while doing what he loved.

Bolt Out of B-More

The thought of getting away from all of your problems in society sounds blissful to many, but only a few really act on their thoughts. Getting away from civilization, and problems, and life as you know it is something that takes guts. When you venture out on your solo journey to spiritual enlightenment via nature, you have to understand the potential dangers, and the definite consequences of your decision. You have to really want to get away. In "Into the Wild", Jon Krakauer not only talks about Chris, but he talks about Everett Ruess, the man who seemingly disappeared in 1934, Gene Rosellini, the mayor of "Hippie Cove", and John Waterman, the seemingly mentally ill young adult who died while attempting to climb Denali. I believe each one of these men really wanted to escape civilization, and that their adventures were well worth dying for. If I had no strings attached to my family, and could slip away without anyone noticing, I would. I would be escaping any emotional baggage, as Chris McCandless would say, I would be escaping problems, and most of all, I would be escaping the stress of living amongst other humans. I wouldn't miss having to wake up every morning and go about the same routine, I wouldn't miss having obligations, and I wouldn't miss the stress.

A Place I Want to Visit in the U.S.

If I could choose to visit any place in the U.S, I would choose Hawaii. Hawaii is the 50th state and also in my opinion, the most beautiful state. It has beautiful tropical beaches, great volcanoes, majestic blue waters, and is teeming with fascinating wildlife. When I was younger, I traveled to Bermuda with my dad, step-mom, and step-brother. Bermuda was the most beautiful place I ever physically went to. It had clear oceans, pink sand mixed in with regular sand, and fascinating wildlife. I imagine Hawaii is like Bermuda, but more beautiful. If I went to Hawaii, I would try my hand at surfing, go scuba diving, and hike around its breath-taking landscape.

My step-brother (right) and I (left) sitting on a rock in the middle of the water in Bermuda - 2009

Jon Krakauer

Jon Krakauer, the author of "Into the Wild", was born on April 12, 1954 in Brookline Massachusetts to parents Lewis Joseph Krakauer and Carol Ann Krakauer. After his birth, Jon, his four siblings, and his parents, moved to Corvallis, Oregon and remained there for the remainder of Jon's adolescent life. At the age of eight, Jon's father, Lewis, introduced him to mountaineering, and Jon became very fond of it. After graduating Corvallis High School in 1972, Jon went on to study at Hampshire College in Massachusetts. Here, Jon earned his degree in Environmental studies, and shortly afterwards, set out on a solo, three week expedition into the wilderness of the Stikine Icecap region of Alaska. Krakauer, a fan of the outdoors, has also written numerous books, mainly dealing with stories of the outdoors. Some of these books include "Into Thin Air", "Into the Wild", and "Under the Banner of Heaven", all non-fiction books.

Into the Wild

Into the Wild is a book by Jon Krakauer. The book follows Christopher Johnson McCandless. Chris is a well-educated, college graduate who loved the outdoors. After Chris' graduation from Emory University, he took his yellow Datsun B210 with 128,000 miles on it, and left life as he knew it to go on an "odyssey". He drove all around North America, exploring the continent, meeting some interesting people along the way. His ultimate goal was to survive in "The Last Frontier" off of the land, and he attempted just that. This story is the ultimate tale of raw adventure and makes you feel as though you were beside McCandless throughout his whole journey.

Chapter Six

1. Why was "Ron Franz" so infatuated with Chris "Alex" McCandless? On page 48 he inquires about the article which was posted about Chris McCandless' death and requests "Please do not make these facts available to anybody."
2. Why do you think Chris McCandless decided to camp out at the Oh-My-God Hot Springs for as long as he did?
3. What was Chris' reason for avoiding Franz' question to adopt him? Page 55 "So I asked Alex if I could adopt him, if he would be my grandson."
4. Do you think Chris tried to distance Franz because he was afraid he was becoming attached to him? Explain why.
5. Do you think the hitchhikers that Franz picked up helped him find closure to where Chris was or do you think it hurt Franz more than if he hadn't known?