Book Reflection

This is a written paper (minimum approximately 5 pages or 1000 words) to provide a
reflection on the two texts: Into the Wild and Everett Ruess: A Vagabond for Beauty
books. Jon Krakauer – writing in reference to Chris McCandless – states that, “Some
readers admired the boy immensely for his courage and noble ideals; others fulminated
that he was a reckless idiot.”
 What do you believe? Do you think McCandless is to be admired or condemned?
Discuss, supporting your comments with specific references to the book.
 What does “wildness” or “wilderness” mean to each of the authors?
 John Krakauer discusses the similarities between Chris McCandless and Everett
Ruess. But how were the two different? Discuss, supporting your comments with
specific references to the book.
 Based on the two books, compare and contrast the authors’ perspectives on
wilderness.
RTM 353 and 353L Online Fall 2019 Page 5 of 8
Some additional ideas you may want to creatively pursue (especially if you are working for
A and B grades) in your discussion include the following:
 How do their ideas of wilderness affect their behavior and ethics?
 It has been argued that there are many benefits (such as increased self-confidence
and a heightened sense of well-being) that results from engaging in adventurous
activities. Or in John Muir’s words, adventures “will save you from deadly apathy, set
you free, and call forth every faculty into vigorous, enthusiastic action.” Discuss the
perspectives of the two authors on the benefits of adventure, supporting your
comments with specific references to the books.