Into the Wild

1. My impression of the book so far is that it's very interesting. Although the writing style isn't the most captivating style I've read, the overall plot keeps me enticed. I think Chris is a smart guy with a lot going for him, but I think he takes the whole "escaping reality" and "finding yourself" a little too far when he gives up everything he has to head into the wilderness. It's a bit extreme for me, but at the same time, I understand. I think it could be even more interesting if we heard the story from Chris's point of view rather than other people who have researched and known him. The fact that we find out he died at the beginning of the book kind of ruins it because there's not much to go off of after that. There's nothing to build up to, no climax. Therefore, what are we waiting to read about? What's left to keep us readers engaged? The maps are a nice visual and help us understand where everything is taking place, but I think the writing could use some more "oomff" to give it something extra.

2. One word I would use to describe Chris would be extreme. Most people who feel as though they need a break from everyday life would maybe play hooky from school, take the day off or work, take a bubble bath, go for a run, or take a nap. But Chris, decides to give up his whole life, his posessions, friends, and his family. He heads off into unknown danger not knowing his future could be cut very short. I feel as though that's taking extreme measures and almost seems suicidal. Maybe Chris is depressed and that's his personal way of dealing with it. The possibilities are infinite, but I think some less extreme action could have been taken to relieve whatever stress and feelings Chris had building up inside of him.

3. I think one theme is balancing life. Not everything has to be perfect, even though I have a hard time understanding that myself. Chris was fed up, needed to leave, didn't care if people knew, he just needed out. Things such as school, work, friends, family, ect. weren't balanced for him. He was doing it all, and very well. But, at some point, most people will crack from doing so much. If we do a little bit at a time, don't take on more than we can handle, know it's okay to say "No" everyone once in awhile, and have some self-respect, I think we all will be okay. Balancing is a skill and takes time to achieve. But I think that if we don't balance out our lives, we can go crazy and then you don't know what could happen, and as Chris's example, things can be taken a lot farther than most people would expect. 

4. Text-to-text: Personally, I think Chris McCandless is much like Peter Pan in the Disney classic, Peter Pan. Peter, lives in "Never-Never Land" where he won't ever grow up and will always remain a child. Even though this is not Chris's goal, they both just want to escape the real world, be their true selves. No more conforming to rules of society, being told what to do or how to live your life, no drama, and certainly no trying to be someone who you're not. Sometimes getting away, making your own fun, and being in your own is just what the doctor ordered for your own sanity.

5. Text-to-self: Although I can't exactly relate to living in my own in the wilderness, I can relate to the idea of needing to get away from all the stress and people giving you a hard time. I am someone who is constantly stressed out and am always over-filling my plate. There are times when life is just plain hard and there's not much you can do about it. Often times, with family issues, I need to get away from my house for a few days or a week. I stay at my best friend's house where we get our mind off of all our troubles and just try to have fun with each other. Being away from home helps me clear my mind, regain some sanity, and calm down. Also, one night, I was just fed up with everything and needed to leave. I hopped on a plane the next morning and headed down to my aunt's house in Florida. My mom booked it (she works for northwest) and other than her, no one knew I was going. I didn't know how long I was going to be there, but it didn't matter. I needed a break and a vacation. It was relieving being far away and able to do my own thing and figure things out. Chris and I are a lot alike in that aspect of finding your own space as needed and I think it's normal for anyone to just take breather from the stress life can bring and find the light at the end of the tunnel. 

6. Text-to-world: I think one text-to-world example of this is the drug problem we have in the United States. So many innocent people are hooked to these deadly, hurtful substances that snuck up on them by trying it maybe once or twice. Most people don't consider giving up everything they have, packing up, and moving into the wild. They think that using drugs or alcohol will help them escape their problems when in reality, it just makes things worse. You can't avoid life, you just have to face it. If you choose not to face it, you try to run from it. In the end, some people end up getting run down and take drastic measure. Many drug abusers are slowly killing themselves without even realizing it, which is a lot like Chris. He thinks he's doing the right thing, giving up materialistic things and his whole life to experience something different, calm, and peaceful. But both the wilderness and drugs are dangerous and whether you realize it or not, sometimes taking the "easy way out" isn't always so easy. One quote I really like is, "It's wherever you go. Because no matter where you run, you just end up running into yourself." I think it's the plain truth and shows that you have to face the music at some point and you are who you are and if you want to change it, you have to deal with it.