1. Journal 1 9.30.14 The sense of alienation and isolation may be common among young adults. McCandless chooses to abandon his upper middle class lifestyle. Based on your reading of the Author’s Note-Ch.6, what would you say is McCandless’ American Dream? Do you believe that his choice to drop out of conventional society bolsters or hinders Chris’ chances at achieving his American Dream? Use specific examples from the Author’s Note – Ch. 6 to support your response. Respond in a well-constructed paragraph (8-10 sentences).

2. Journal 2 10/1-2/14 Chapter 6 begins with a passage written by the writer Henry David Thoreau and highlighted by Chris McCandless. Thoreau (1817-1862) was a part of the Literary and philosophical movement called Transcendentalism, which started in New England in the 19 th century. Some of the main ideas of the movement include self-reliance, adoration of nature, and abandonment of social conformity. Reflecting on the Author’s Note – Ch. 6, write a well-constructed paragraph (8-10s sentences) in which you analyze how McCandless espouses the three aforementioned ideas of Transcendentalism.

3. Journal 3 10.3.14 HOLD ON TO YOUR DRAFTS FOR NOW! Read “Shitty First Drafts” from Anne Lamott’s witty memoir on writing, Bird by Bird, underlining or highlighting at least five brief phrases/sentences from Lamott that speak to you, either positively or negatively. And then, record these brief phrases/ statements WITH PAGE NUMBERS. 10-15 minutes. Hold on to your journal when you are done. Fold and keep the reading in your journal.

4. Journal 4 10.6.14 Read and annotate the the article from The New YorkTimes regarding Chris McCandless’ death. Highlight/underline phrases/sentences that speak to you, either positively or negatively, that you agree/ disagree with you, that cause you concern. 10 minutes. Write an 8-10 sentence response to the article. What is the article’s main idea? What issues surrounding McCandless’ death does the author bring up? Based on your reading of the novel AND the article, was McCandless on a suicide mission or did he make a fatal mistake? Was he reckless and self-absorbed, or adventurous and naïve? Explain. 10 minutes. Find a partner. Share your article response. What similarities/ differences do you express in your responses? 5 minutes.

5. Journal 5 10.7.14 Chapter 7 of Into the Wild examines some of Chris McCandless’s personality traits through the memories of people he met on the road. Choose 5-7 quotes from Chapter 7 that illuminate one or more of McCandless’s character traits. List each quote with page number, and provide a 2-3 sentence explanation, explaining what the reader learns of McCandless’s personality through that quote.

6. Journal 6 10.8-9.14 Chapter 8 of Into the Wild examines the lives of Gene Rosellini, John Mallon Waterman, and Carl McGunn, three men whose lives parallel McCandless’s in many ways. These men, along with McCandless were considered to be eccentrics, hippies, and reckless adventurers who were most likely mentally ill. Their deaths prompted many Alaskans to publicly voice strong, negative opinions of them. Examine each man’s relationship with his parents, upbringing, and “unusual” characteristics, comparing and contrasting him to McCandless. Respond in a well constructed paragraph (8-10 sentences).

7. Journal 7 10.10.14 Place final drafts in the aqua tray. Please attach the rubric (front).w Focus on Chapter 12 of Into the Wild. How does the relationship between Chris and his parents seem in public, for example at McCandless’s high school and college graduations? How do McCandless’s experiences at Emory affect initially his relationship with his parents? How does their relationship evolve as McCandless’s experience at Emory evolves? What does McCandless discover when he visits his old home in El Segundo, CA? How does his discovery change his view of his parents? What does Billie McCandless’s dream indicate about her relationship with her son? How much of a role did McCandless’s relationship with his parents play in his choice to venture into the wild? Respond in a well-constructed paragraph (8-10 sentences).

8. Journal 8 10.17.14 We have spent the last several class periods viewing Sean Penn’s film adaptation Into the Wild. Write a review of the film. In your first paragraph, provide your overall perception of the film: positives and negatives, highs and lows. In your second paragraph describe briefly the film’s setting and plot. In the third paragraph, provide an assessment of the leading actors’ performances: Emile Hirsch as Chris McCandless, Marcia Gay Harden as Billie McCandless, William Hurt as Walt McCandless, and Vince Vaughn as Wayne Westerburg. In your final paragraph, identify what you believe is the most riveting/gripping part of the film. Or if you were not impressed, identify the point that broke the film. NOTE: Each paragraph can be short (3-5 sentences each).