Part 1 I think that Chris McCandless's and Odysseus's "quests" were similar because they both traveled long distances. Odysseus traveled for about ten years, sailing all around Greece and the neighboring countries. Chris traveled across the United States and Mexico. 40A difference between their journeys is that while Odysseus was trying to get back home to his wife and child, Telemakus, Chris was trying to get away from his home and family. Odysseus endured all the trials, pain, sacrifices, and hardships that came his way because he was driven by the force of love. McCandless was driven by his sense of adventure-- he was unable to stay in one place for long or around people for long before the desire to "hit the road" would take over. 128 Another similarity between their quests is that they both suffered hardships. Odysseus had several of the Greek Gods angry with him and they made sure he wouldn't be getting home easily or quickly. Chris suffered from starvation and dehydration. Both of their sufferings can be traced back to things they did, or rather, didn't do. Odysseus didn't make proper sacrifices to the gods nor did he try to amend when he didn't until it was too late. Chris failed to prepare properly for his journey and deeply overestimated himself. 217 Both of them also had a problem with pride. His pride got in the way when people offered Chris gear or food that could possibly have saved his life later on. Odysseus's pride caused him to do stupid and brash things like yelling his name to the Cyclopes, so he could get Poseidon to curse Odysseus. 273 words (part 1) Part 2 I feel that if Chris had lived critics would have viewed him differently. Instead of criticizing him by saying, "That kid was an idiot. He went to Alaska in the cold season with only a few pounds of rice-- it's almost like he was asking for what happened." They might have been saying, "Wow, that kid went to Alaska in the cold season with only a few pounds of rice and survived!" 72 words (part 2) Part 3 I think the book was okay. It was mildly interesting and very informative. However, I found in the middle that he diverdged from the story of McCandless and talks about other people for several chapters. I didn’t mind this so much, but I wish those parts had been shorter. Overall rating= 3 ½
3 Comments
Rachel T
5/15/2012 03:11:37 am
Hey julia! it's rachel. i really like your blog post! i agree with your statement about critics viewing him differently and not seeing him as an "idiot" kid. I wrote the same thing, actually. I would also agree that the parts of the books that discussed other people should have been shorter. i actually would have preferred they weren't in the book at all, but whatever.
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liza
5/15/2012 03:29:14 am
I agree with you about the author randomly diverging from the main point of his book Chris McCandless. It was kind of random and didn't make much sense for him to do that in my opinion. But you make an interesting point about Chris and Odysseus being at different points in their lives. One wanting to get home home to his family and the other trying to get away from them. This was a great post.
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Nathan
5/15/2012 03:58:20 am
Hey Julia!!!!!!!!! I agree with you on the similarities and hardships that both Chris and Odysseus expeirienced. I too think that they should have left out the stories of other people from what was an ineteresting story. Great writing all together.
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