{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"43288006","dateCreated":"1317210025","smartDate":"Sep 28, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"mitchelltracy","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/mitchelltracy","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/dracosticeenglish12.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/43288006"},"dateDigested":1532174196,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Into the Wild Quote","description":"P57: "You are wrong if you think Joy emanates from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living."
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\nThis entire speech had a profound impact on me and how I thought about this book, but this particular phrase affected my life outside of the book as well. As I progressed through the book, this phrase took on new meanings through its relation to Chris McCandless' own discoveries and my personal experiences as well. I've spent the past few months worrying about 'human relationships' and ignoring the beauty in every aspect of my life but meditating on this phrase gives me a moment of clarity that I really treasure, allowing me to disconnect myself from the drama and trouble that people bring. When I read this quote, I just think of sitting on a rock by the ocean, with the tide slowly coming in and waves rising up to cool my toes as the sun sets in the distance, bathing me in an incredible spectrum of light.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"43272230","dateCreated":"1317172950","smartDate":"Sep 27, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"andrewfreschi","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/andrewfreschi","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/dracosticeenglish12.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/43272230"},"dateDigested":1532174196,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Into the Wild Quote","description":"P 47: "Though the result were bodily weakness, yet perhaps no one can say that the consequences were to be regretted, for these were a life in conformity to higher principles...All nature is your congratulation, and you have cause momentarily to bless yourself. The greatest gains and values are farthest from being appreciated...They are the highest reality."
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\nThis section, one that McCandless highlighted in one of his personal books, sheds some light on Chris' motives. First, it accounts for "bodily weakness" as a side effect to answering to one's own "higher principles." Clearly, McCandless was most of all found dead, but also horribly malnourished and weak. Despite this, he persisted in his Spartan lifestyle for years. All of the hitchhiking out west kept him almost exclusively out in nature, except for when he met someone interesting or wanted to work. All Chris wanted was to live off the land, and he stuck to this, and certainly did "bless himself." When Jim Gallien offered advice about food and gear, Chris cooly retorted and refused. Ultimately, as is obvious by our discussions in class, whatever values or satisfactions Chris got from his journey, we do not and can not know. I certainly can't appreciate his "greatest gains," but I think he was adamant in belief that one's own life should be lived in pursuit of one's own happiness, for that's all Chris concerned himself with.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"43189336","dateCreated":"1317070704","smartDate":"Sep 26, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"christinaalexander","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/christinaalexander","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/dracosticeenglish12.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/43189336"},"dateDigested":1532174196,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Into the Wild Quote","description":"Page 57: "The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun".
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\nThis quote is part of Chris\u2019 letter to Ron Franz. I thought this quote perfectly describes Chris\u2019 personality, and even reveals his point for leaving his home. His life felt planned out with expectations- his parents were so happy when Chris went to college and were thrilled when he mentioned graduate school. Yet, Chris did not go to college to become successful and wealthy later in life- he went for the education. Once he felt well educated, he was done with the straight line and decided to pave his own path, however crooked it was. Chris\u2019 spirit turned into his new identity of \u201cAlex Supertramp\u201d when he broke off and had his own journey. Everyday was an unexpected adventure, a \u201cnew horizon\u201d, and a fresh beginning. Chris hitchhiked, walked, kayaked, and climbed to his new locations. His sudden whims and enthusiasm for new challenges is one aspect that I greatly admire. It is so easy to become caught up in the regular routine- the life plan we have made for ourselves that keeps up comfortable and secure. Yet, Chris was able to leave all of his safety behind to \u201cwalk into the wild\u201d. This year, I feel the pressure of applying to college and knowing what I want to do for the rest of my life. At 17 years old, I don\u2019t have all the answers. Although I don\u2019t plan on doing the extreme and going to Alaska, I do expect to bring a little bit of Chris\u2019 lesson with me wherever I end up next year. I don\u2019t want to allow myself to fall into the trap of the easy, broken-in road. According to McCandless, only by strapping on your boots and starting a new path will you be able to have the greatest joy.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]}],"more":false},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}