Chris McCandless is clearly a misunderstood and baffling young man at the time of his death; however, for many, this book represents a man's pursuit of self. And still for others, this book is a perplexing look at the spoiled, affluent lifestyle and eventual death of a confused young person.
With that said, do you believe that any sadness for Chris is justified? Yes or no and WHY?
Worth 5 points.
Upon the completion of the above question, walk away from the blog for a bit and then come back and read the responses from your peers. Then, respond to 2 of the comments of your peers and explain why you think they are right or wrong.
Worth 10 points!
Yes I think its justified. To people, it may seem like there isn't anything he should be really sad about. But there is obviously something deep down that he can't deal with. I think a lot of people have come across that in their life. For some it may not seem like a huge deal, but it could mean mean the whole universe to the person that is dealing with it. And some people it may take a week to get over, and others like Chris it may take them into the wild. To me that's what makes it justifiable.
ReplyDeleteTy i agree with what you said some things may not affect you, but to other people it could be life changing.
DeleteI love your second to last sentence- everyone responds to change and stress in different ways and for Chris it was going into the wild. Great post.
DeleteTotally true. Chris had a different mindset than his peers, so the way he dealt with tough situations was different than how others would have.
DeleteI agree. No one knows exactly what was going through Chris's mind except himself. It is unfair to make any assumptions on what caused him to do the things he did.
DeleteYea Ty is right he probably had a lot of problems and he chose to deal with the the way he did.
DeleteI agree that some people have big problems in their life that others may not care much about it as you would. Chris knew himself very well to know how to make himself feel better.
Deletei agree with ty because he makes a good point with saying everyone deals with things in their own way and in different amounts of time. you go ty!
DeleteI agree with Ty because what he says I'd one of the main reasons for Chris acting the way he does before his death. He felt he was alone and thought venturing off on his own in. The wild was the best way to cope with the torment of society.
DeleteI agree with Ty, everyone reacts in their own way to different situations. Since none of us know exactly what he was going through and what was going on in his mind we technically can't judge him all we can do is try and put ourselves in his shoes and say that it was justified.
DeleteYes I think that being sad because of Chris' death is justified. When ever an innnocent kid dies especially under the circumstances that he died I think sadness is warnted. He didn't want to die and even if he did it makes me even more sad that he felt so poorly that he would want to die like that. He must have had some huge issues that he could not sort out and just because h had these problems doesnt mean that peole shouldn't feel sad about his death.
ReplyDeleteGare! Exactly! No one but Chris knows what was exactly going through his head prior to his death so I think sadness is definitely warranted.
DeleteI agree with you Garret, no one knew his situation and what he was going through or dealing with.
DeleteYea i agree man, people may not understand someones problems. But having these problems doesn't exclude his family and friends from mourning.
DeleteWell said Garrett. He did haves lot of family issues and it showed.
DeleteI agree, it's all about how open your eyes are to the injustices around you- Chris may have just been an unfortunate victim of the bystander effect.
DeleteI think Chris had a lot to offer the world and his early death is definitely something to be mourned. Chris was a bright, talented young man and I believe had he continued on in his education and entered the work force he could've had a large effect on the world around him just like his father had. Sadness is definitely justifiable because Chris was, most of the time, a warm, friendly, personable guy who was loved and will be missed by all.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Rachel said. It's obvious that he had a lot to offer in so many different fields of work, and it's just sad to see a talented individual leave this earth so fast.
DeleteRachel, I agree. Chris did have a great future ahead of him. Plus he appeared to be such a loveable guy and make others happy, that its really just sad that he died.
DeleteI agree with Rachel! He had so much potential in his life and all of it was gone after he found out about his father which really hit him hard. All that led to the decisions he made to go on the adventure to Alaska.
DeleteI agree Chris was a great guy who have done a lot to help others. It's sad that a guy like him left so many behind.
DeleteI agree with you rachel,m it was obvious chris was very much liked with everyone he encountered and its sad to see him pass when he has alot to offer.
DeleteChris seemed to have had a positive impact on everyone he came across so I agree that he would have helped the world in a big way
DeleteI agree with you Rachel, definately his death was the sad part and the fact that all of his talent that he had was not used to help the world.
DeleteExactly Rachel! He had so much to offer the world so its terrible that he died but I believe on his journey to death he helped many people and learned a lot about himself.
DeleteLook at you guys getting ahead. Well done. This is for tomorrow night, but feel free to do it early!
ReplyDeleteI think that sadness is justifiable for Chris. The whole scandal his father had with his ex-wife really hurt Chris. That was one of the driving forces that pushed him on this trip. It's very sad to imagine how slow and painful his death was. It's also really sad to know that he never talked about it with his father, so I think that's the worst of it all. He could have saved his life if he just decided to let his emotions out.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your last sentence. He might have been concealing something that was actually eating him alive. If that's the case, his decision-making probably would have changed if he let his emotions out.
DeleteI agree Ema. I think he kept a lot of his emotions bottled up inside and never told people how he really felt. He never was one to open up and that's why when he went on this trip there was no one there to help him when he needed it.
DeleteI completely agree with ema when she said the scandal with the father hurt Chris and that Chris and his father never talked about it. How could Chris get over that if they never had a convorsation about what happened and how it affected eachother.
DeleteI guess I do agree on this. I feel like it's just sad that he couldn't reconcile with his dad before leaving. I just wish he would have made peace with everyone, and than left. Than, I think it wouldn't have been so bad.
DeleteI think ema is right. The whole thing with his dad would hurt anyone
DeleteI agree with you, I feel bad for him that he had to find out about his father and the whole way he found out.
DeleteI believe that sadness is justified only for his family or peers but for just him there really shouldn't be because of how he chose to go out and make his own decisions most likely knowing the possible outcome. He was very smart and educated so I'm pretty sure that he could predict the outcomes of his trip and what others would feel or how he would want them to feel, but still it was his choice so if he wanted to go out adventuring and find himself then no one was going to stop him.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Especially with no one was able to stop him. Chris didn't like being told what to do and always did his own thing. His mind was set on Alaska and there was no stopping him.
DeleteI agree. He died doing what he wanted to do in life. He knew what he was getting himself in to.
DeleteI believe that sadness is justified for everyone over Chris's death. Chris had graduated from Emory and had a very bright future ahead of him. He had a good chance of making an impact on the world around him. Everyone should feel sorrow over the possibility that Chris went on the trip assuming he was probably going to die along the way. There might have been something that was really bugging him on the inside that he kept concealed and could have led to his decision to go on the journey. On the other hand, McCandless could have been very serious about completing the trip and returning home,so he went on it for reasons such as personal pride and satisfaction. No matter what the case, everyone's sadness is justified over McCandless's death.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Chris had a great future ahead of him.There had to be something really bothering him on the inside, that made him want to do this trip, instead of pursuing a most likely great future in society.
DeleteI agree, although Chris always looked happy on the outside, i think that he was definitely holding something painful deep down inside. He most likely isolated himself so he could deal with it.
DeleteEven though he would have a successful career, Chris obviously didn't see it that way. He wanted to be independent and not to conform to other people's expectations. He wouldn't enjoy being a lawyer because he so desperately wanted to get out. It was killing him inside. That's why he left; he didn't want that life.
DeleteYes I believe the sadness is justified. Chris was a nice kid who wanted to get away. I really don't think he deserved to die the way he did. And no one should be happy about a kids death, it's never a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Miles, Chris didn't deserve to die this way. I think he could have done something better with his life.
DeleteI disagree. Although he was young, I think that he chose this path to take on his own so he did deserve the consequences that followed with his actions as well.. I don't think it was fair that this happened to him, but it was kind of expected, going on a trip so dangerous and risky.
DeleteI agree with jenny. Nobody should be happy about his death but it was so expected going on this dangerous trip. He should've known that he wasn't doing well and gotten help instead of trying to be independent. Sometimes we just need people.
DeleteHis sadness is justified because Chris was the one who made the decisions that he did and chose to react the way he did. Also, there was no stopping Chris when his mind was set on a goal. He was definitely a talented individual and it's sad how he had changed so much in a way that separated himself from the rest of the world and his loved ones.
ReplyDeleteI agree, he was the only one who had control over his actions and knew why he was doing what he chose to do with his life.
DeleteI agree with Yang that once Chris set his mind to something there was no stopping him. He played by his own rules and didn't want to listen to what others had to say.
DeleteI think sadness for Chris is justified but only to a certain extent. He was living a life someone else envisioned for him. He wasn't making the choices for himself. By going into the wild, he chose his own life and that is what made him happy. He wouldn't want to live a life of regret but that is what would have happened had he not left. It's sad that he died so young, but I think he would rather die young living his dream rather than die old in regeret.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Chris made the best decision for himself. He did what made himself happy and that it was the best choice for him.
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ReplyDeleteI think the sadness is justified because even though Chris had dealed with his problems differently from what other people may have done, he still was a nice, talented guy. When a person dies you would feel sadness and it applies the same way with Chris. Just because he made his own decisions and lived his life the way he wanted doesn't mean any sadness can't be justified.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should all feel sad over his death but if I was his parent, I would be more angry and confused than sad. Chris was an educated man who knew what he was getting into. We can't say his death is suicide but at the same time he should've known better and gotten help earlier.
DeleteI think he's death was justified as well, Chris was a great kid and even though some people think it was suicided we can't assume that. I agree with what Pooja said that when a person dies it's still sad they did.
DeleteAs all of you mention he is happy, I want you to consider whether or not a person can truly be happy when the sadness that caused him to run left his family with unanswered questions
ReplyDeleteI think the sadness is justifies because it's always sad when someobdy passes away, especially since he didn't want to die. I think it's very clear that Chris left a big impact on alot of people and pretty much everybody he meet likes him very much. It's very sad to see such a bright kid who could have had a big future ahead of him die.
ReplyDeleteYes I think it's justified because hearing what all the people he had known his whole life and even people he met on his journey, they saw a ton of potential in him. None of them understood why he was going on this trip because he was such a happy and smart guy which shows he knew what he was getting himself into. he went off like this to get away and that's how he chose to deal with his situation which is much different then how most people would handle it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Alissa, Chris was definitely a unique person that liked to deal with his problems HIS way and didn't let anyone else influence his choices.
DeleteI totally agree with Alissa, at least all of choices was made by him and probably at the end he was happy.
DeleteWell said Alissa. He had a lot of potential.
DeleteYes, sadness is justified because Chris was a smart person who could have impacted the world in a positive way. He brought happiness to everyone he met and definitely was a kind-hearted person. He was close to many people even though he did not know them for a long period of time. I think after what happened with his father, he was afraid to get emotionally attached to someone again so that is why he kept running from people and isolated himself in alaska.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do think that his sadness is justified. Many people are misunderstood because of their actions or their ideas, and someone might not exactly understand them. Chris McCandless was highly misunderstood by many people. But this was his unique way to escape from that sadness that had filled his soul. He did not have a perfect life. His problems led him to this actions. So this is why I think that his trip into the wild was justified.
ReplyDeleteI think that feeling sadness for Chris is justified because there was probably a much deeper reason for why he went on this adventure. It is likely that he had pent up emotions that he wasn't capable of expressing, so he chose to attempt to escape it. I think that if this was the case, that its sad that there wasn't someone he felt comfortable to turn to for help.
ReplyDeleteYes I think Chris has a right to be sad. His father had an affair and a parents relationship always affects the children. Chris may have put up with it and said he was fine and went on with his life but I think it truly affected him deep down.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lexi, I think Chris just had a very rough life. His dad really messed up and this messed with Chris a lot.
DeleteI believe Chris really has some deep issues. I think he went on this trip to avoid all the problems in this life that have build up. I don't think Chris is crazy like some people think i think he was just avoiding problems he has. I do believe he left this family without any warning which was wrong to do. I think Chris just wanted to get away.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about his family because they didn't entirely deserve no contact from him.
DeleteI think saddness is justified in certain ways but not others. It was sad that he died but it wasn't sad because that's the life he chose. He wanted to live in the wilderness and wanted to experience life and I think he accomplished that.
ReplyDeleteI don't think any sadness was justified at all. It was his decision to go off into the wild. He shouldn't be upset. It was his own decision and action. I think for me, as someone who never knew him, it's a tragic story to hear, but at the same time, I think it was all his own fault it happened the way it did. He should actually be pretty happy for accomplishing what he wanted too.
ReplyDeleteI think you're wrong because he had lived his whole life on the edge and made it work and if he just learned to control it more, he could've lived a prosperous life.
Deletei agree with jenny. it was his decision to make the changes he did. Even though its sad he chose it.
DeleteI think there is sadness to feel for him because he could've had a great life and the journey could've been a great success if he just hadn't been so overcondfident in Alaska.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple reasons why I think that Chris's
ReplyDeleteI think it is justified just because he died. It was his choice too go out on his own. And I don't know why he chose Alaska of all places.
ReplyDeleteAny time somebody passes away it is gonna be sad. I say this because we all have at one time experience loss
ReplyDeleteI believe any sadness that Chris has is justified and I think it would be wrong of us to say otherwise. I say this because we don't know about any internal issues Chris had or anything he might have been battling that wasn't in the book.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have enough information about what was going on with his life to say whether his death was justifiable or not. Every death is sad because ultimately someone will be affected from that death. I think he made poor decisions and had too much pride to actually ask for help front but that doesnt mean his death ment nothing.
ReplyDeleteI feel that his sadness was justified because his parents expected so much from him without his opinion at all, and i know how much that feeling can hurt someone so i feel that Chris running away from home to escape the madness of humanity and to die in the woods was justifiable.
ReplyDeleteI think that all sadness is justifiable- it's just how you look at things. For example- let's say that I lost a watch and i'm crying about it. To Linda, i may just be crying over something that's replaceable- therefore my sadness is not justified and my tears are being wasted. To Anthony, he may know that it was my great-great-granduncle's watch from WWI- he may feel empathy for me, therefore justifying my sadness. To summarize, it's all about how much you know, and how open your eyes are.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny to read your responses to this question.
ReplyDeleteFor some of you, clearly there has been a loss that profoundly impacted you and you are showing great EMPATHY.
For others, you are trying your best to show SYMPATHY, but you recognize the stupidity in some of his actions.
And yet, for a few of you, you see Chris as a spoiled, lost little boy; consequently, he got what he deserved.
Interesting!!!!
I think that it is justified that Chris was sad. He had a bad relationship with his parents and I think that after he found out what happened with his father, he was never the same again. He seemed distant and I think he did need to get away. Even though running away from his problems wasnt the best idea, he was sad and I do think he did the right thing for himself. Chris was always a distant person and I think he had no other choice then to leave, if he wanted to be happy.
ReplyDeletei agree that there is something that chris is trying to cope with and hes sad because of maybe some bad relationship or maybe many things built on to that.
Deletei dont think chris' death is justified. He had it coming to him if you think about it. If you wander into the middle of no where in alaska you will probably die if you stay to long... He barely communicated with his family and personally i think he's stupid for doing it.
ReplyDeleteYes I think its justified. hes obviously going through something he cant really cope with or doesnt really know how to cope with. and i feel like chris had to take on this adventure to prove to himself and to prove to others he can find himself as a person and come to terms for being independent. and thats what i think make its justifiable.
ReplyDeleteChris had something on his mind that he couldn't let go untold. He saw something wrong with the way people live and he wanted to do something about it. In his mind, the road he took was the best possible way to get his point across. I think we should be happy for him for dying in the place where he was happiest, in nature. However, it is definitely reasonable to be sad because of his death, and the course that he took leading up to it.
ReplyDelete