"So many people live within unhappy 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 dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future..."
an excerpt from a letter that Chris wrote to Ronald Franz, i think has a powerful optimistic meaning. This shows McCandless trying to convince someone to change something in their life to better it. It gives a bit of insight into his mind, and how he thinks we don't need all theis "things" to live a happy life.
In chapter eight McCandless is compared to Carl McCunn (a worker on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in the 70s) McCunn was in Alaska already and in 1981 requested to be flown to a remote lake above the Coleen River. how ever he forgot to request a flight back, and soon ran out of food . Rather than attempt to walk back out of the wilderness, he wasted away in his cabin and eventually shot himself. i disagree with this comparison, McCunn being mentally ill. and delusional. McCunn was so (logically) ill prepared, he didn't even know the difference between an S.O.S and a ALL CLEAR signal. something that one might look into if they where going off to live way out in a desolate part of Alaska? duh...
my opinion is strengthened after reading chapters 6-11
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You are referring more to specifics of the text which is great Keith. A few spots are a bit unclear in terms of what you are wishing to say and would benefit from reference to text. That quotation you chose to start off the entry is a significant one.
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