I wish you way more than luck
S: David Foster Wallace O: 2005 Kenyon Commencement Address A: Keyon graduates P: to emphasize the freedom we have in our way of life, thinking and perspectives S: various advice and reflection on life Tone: reflective, critical, inspiring
I know that this stuff probably doesn't sound fun and breezy or grandlyinspirational the way a commencement speech is supposed to sound
Close to addressing rebuttals/criticism, shows critical thinking
That is real freedom
Change in sentence structure -> short sentences change flow and draw emphasis
all different kinds offreedom
Similar to the different kinds of values and perspectives, as he's mentioned previously
Worship power, you will end up feeling weak and afraid, and you willneed ever more power over others to numb you to your own fear
Shows the dark side/negatives of each trait -> no life track is the "right" one
there is actually no such thing as atheism. There isno such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choicewe get is what to worship
partly ethos appeal by bringing up higher powers who, in this argument, all people worship and respect, thus unifies him and his audience
The only thing that'scapital-T True is that you get to decide how you're gonna try to see it
Uses very simple language towards a younger but still educated audience - depicts his "rejection" of traditional education and life, gives his audience a break from the complicated information/assignments they're used to, and makes him more relatable and the info easier to digest
likelihood that everyoneelse in the supermarket's checkout line is just as bored and frustrated as Iam, and that some of these people probably have harder, more tediousand painful lives than I do
Interesting hearing all this because I quite like the supermarket and doing errands, even on my busiest of days
In this traffic, all these vehicles stopped andidling in my way, it's not impossible that some of these people in SUV'shave been in horrible auto accidents in the past
These are both sides of very extreme examples -> adds to logos so audience is able to reason with middle ground (his argument) more
on
Focusing on the permanent negative things in life -> gratitude is the only step towards happiness
t's goingto seem for all the world like everybody else is just in my way. And whoare all these people in my way?
In my experience, I feel like guys have a harder time with this than girls. With societal pressures to stay "lady-like" with staying passive, permanently content, or more nurturing, compassion/empathy are learned younger and more easily
if I don't make a conscious decision abouthow to think and what to pay attention to, I'm gonna be pissed andmiserable every time I have to shop
Connection to psych class unit on happiness and negativity bias where it is the human nature (from an evolutionary standpoint) to focus and learn more from the negative experiences rather than positives
of course it's the time of day whenall the other people with jobs also try to squeeze in some groceryshopping
Uses imagery, descriptions and flow to create logos
It's the end ofthe work day and the traffic is apt to be: very bad
Shows how this cycle affects the majority and creates a cause and effect
at the end of the day you'retired and somewhat stressed and all you want is to go home
Sad cycle, you work to afford a house and other necessities and after work are left so drained, the only thing you can do is go home
learning how to think really meanslearning how to exercise some control over how and what you think
Disagree while in theory and in an idealized world, yes, but as the system stands as is, no
get lost inabstract argument inside my head, instead of simply paying attention towhat is going on right in front of me
Missing the present moment for the over complication/overthinking of whats around, takes you out of the experience
paying attention to what is going oninside me.
Very relatable
Theworld as you experience it is there in front of YOU or behind YOU, tothe left or right of YOU, on YOUR TV or YOUR monitor.
Interesting how because of the digital age, we have to specify monitors and tvs as part of our lives because of our ingrained they are into our current systems/society
Because ahuge percentage of the stuff that I tend to be automatically certain of is, itturns out, totally wrong and deluded.
Undermining the education these graduates worked so hard for. Begs the question of would he/they be able to come to these realizations of being wrong without their prior education?
dogmatists
Definition: a person who believes too strongly that their personal opinions or beliefs are correct.
religious people who seem arrogant
Wording sensitive to those with religious beliefs to keep a broadened audience
nowhere in our liberal arts analysisdo we want to claim that one guy's interpretation is true and the otherguy's is false or bad
Disagree - I believe that as our education system evolves, while we still have the illusion of "diversity of belief" but we do not value it. People are so used to conformity that it now the automatic response
experimented
Interesting word choice, most people are born into and raised with religion (have almost innate belief) and don't just "experiment"
One of the guys isreligious, the other is an atheist
Good didactic story given the time period and audience -> religion is such a big issue in America today and will relate to a lot of the audience members
I'd ask you to think about fish andwater
Directly asking the audience to reflect emphasizes the deeper meaning and metaphor for life in general
isn't really aboutthe capacity to think, but rather about the choice of what to think about
As learned in ES, unfortunately, most people take that choice of what to think about and choose to follow the influence of the majority - take advantage of the choice to not think for themselves
whythe degree you are about to receive has actual human value instead of justa material payoff
Relates to Excellent Sheep and the critiques of higher, elite education and the lack of actual human value in today's age
bullshitty
Connotation: loses respect from parents, gains respect from students, lessens formality
didactic
Definition: "intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive."
two young fish swimming along and they happen to meetan older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says"Morning, boys. How's the water?" And the two young fish swim on for abit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes"What the hell is water?"
Personification of the fish makes the metaphor easier to understand as it translates to real, human life We struggle to comprehend what we are going through in the moment but once we are older, have more experiences to compare it to, and more time to reflect, we see the importance of our past and have more gratitude/respect for it
["parents"?]
What's with the such strange punctuation and interruptions?
The man, however, was gazing in idle reverie at the city’s skyline growing ever more beautiful, and he failed tonotice
S: Shinichi Hoshi O: the unseen consequences surrounding disposal of wartime objects A: appeals to individuals interested in science fiction and the consequences of advancements P: to warn the public and call attention to the everyday actions we take now that will affect future generations S: what to do with a former shrine turned hole Tone: whimsical, direct
The hole gave peace of mind to the dwellers of the city.
Temporary peace that duture generations will have to pay the consequences for - similar to the burning of fossil fuels in our lives. While it is the easiest and simplest option, the future consequences will have critical impacts
The lesser functionaries, asthey threw in the papers, chatted about pinball.
Connection to Born on the 4th of July where the doctors talked about football and other unimportant matters while on the job. It illustrates a disconnect between the action and the person, implying a lack of care
Government authorities granted permission
Illustrates the fluctuating power dynamic that gives reader intell on the functioning of the town. With the switch to focus on the higher powered organizations, the reader and mayor alike forget about the wants of the villagers
Safer to get rid of something one didn’t understand
Ending paragraph with this emphasizes the message without needing explanation. It follows a line of reasoning to help reader understand
. But
Grammatical liberties emphasize the contradiction
policeman
Interesting how there's uneducated villagers in the same area as policeman, scientists, reporters, etc.. Showcases a big divide between the different members of their community
warned an old man, but the younger one
Specification of ages compares childish nativity versus superstitious traditions that foreshadows an upcoming conflict surrounding the hole
I wonder if it’s a fox’s hole
Adds rationality after a far-fetched conclusion, keeps story within realms of reality
villagers
Connotation of remote/primitive, alludes that perhaps they do not have the resources to restore/rebuild after disaster
We’ve got to rebuild it right away
Illustrates a devotion to restoring culture and tradition and a connection to ancestry/history
The typhoon had passed and the sky was a gorgeous blue
Gives brief context for storm and illustrates the calm after storm. However, typhoon alludes to a disaster that even after the passing of the storm, there will still be emotional and physical repercussions.
eagles
S: Annie Dillard O: an interaction she had seeing a weasel in her backyard A: this could interest environmental enthusiasts or philosopher's, however it is broad/accessible enough to encompass a general reading audience <br /> P: to encourage living a life of freedom that embraces being wild S: wild weasels and using them as examples for how we should live Tone: reflective, thoughtful, fantastical
let your musky flesh fall off in shreds, and let your very bones unhinge and scatter
Her rational writing was short lived, now as she goes back to extremes, she loses the main message of her writing
We can live any way we want
Uses the abstract, absurd ideas of living like a weasel to connect it to the realistic idea of living how you want. She uses weasels as an example, showing one side of living in extremes, to make her point more rational
I should have gone for the throat.
Interesting how she describes this action without intent of killing. The word choice is confusing as she connects two entirely separate ideas of killing and living with the weasel
I would like to learn, or remember, how to live.
Connection to Emerson where he believes fostering a connection with nature is the only way to properly live. While Emerson uses his own long term experience in the woods to inspire others, Dillard uses her brief experience to illustrate her longing for deeper connection.
What goes on in his brain the rest of the time?
Rhetorical questions that can never be answered provides time for reader to reflect on the experience and spark curiosity
I tell you I've been in that weasel's brain for sixty seconds, and he was in mine
Interesting how she takes a direct, blatant approach to illustrate something so far-fetched. It is easier to understand this text if it is not taken literally; however, she rejects that approach, consequently hurting her message
This was only last week, and already I don't remember what shattered the enchantment
Connection to Thoreau, due to the current pace of life, we cannot consistently keep simplicity, such as looking at weasels. With the rush of life, moments of simplicity are often forgotten, as they were here.
Our look was as if two lovers, or deadly enemies
Weird that she compared looking at a weasel to looking at a "lover". That feels way too intimate for the circumstances. I understand she wanted to show a comparison between lover and enemy but I think it takes away from main idea as readers will get hung up on this
He had two black eyes I didn't see, any more than you see a window.
Connection to Axolotl story read in Spanish class. Just as Axolotl's are a reflection of yourself, Weasels are too.
I was looking down at a weasel, who was looking up at me.
Repetition of sentence style, adds emphasis and flow. Illustrates a mutual relationship and displays cognitive thinking/intention within the weasel
Then I cut down through the woods to the mossy fallen tree where I sit.
Interesting word choice of "cut down through" - alludes to the casual destruction humans tend to create. The utilization of the fallen tree also symbolizes this
This is, mind you, suburbia
Addresses the reader to emphasize the juxtaposition between nature and suburbia and somehow between this comparison, a weasel lives (adds a shock value)
I startled a weasel who startled me, and we exchanged a long glance.
Shows a passive relationship where both can coexist. Shows traits of narrators character as some humans may have killed the weasel for simply existing too close to proximity.
bit as instinct taught him,
Repetitive mentioning of instinct - connection to To Build A Fire where we saw a complete lack of instinct. This illustrates a comparison between animals versus humans, where because of human conformity/advancements, we have lost most instincts (connection to Thoreau/Emerson)
A weasel is wild. Who knows what he thinks?
Very direct, abrupt start. Rhetorical question engages reader and builds foundation to begin argument
minister's little dog
Perhaps narrator is a servant or person of lesser social status
rejoicing
S: John Mur O: his personal experiences when exploring Alaska A: as one of the classic dog books, this story is geared towards people who care for dogs P: to immerse the reader in this story from his personal travels S: traveling along a glacier in Alaska Tone: anticipating, descriptive, suspenseful
Both of us springing up in the night again and again, fancied we were still on that dreadful ice bridge in the shadow of death
Shows a comparison of them sleeping that night versus earlier that day when life was not as guaranteed to emphasize the danger of their actions
I was kneeling on the brink ready to assist him in case he should be unable to reach the top.
Shows a sign of caring for the dog but if he sincerely cared, why didn't he carry the dog over on his back rather than forcing this dangerous decision
All this dreadful time poor little Stickeen was crying as if his heart was broken, and when I called to him in as reassuring a voice as I could muster, he only cried the louder, as if trying to say that he never, never could get down there -- the only time that the brave little fellow appeared to know what danger was.
Introduces a moral dilemma of whether he will leave the dog or not and transitions to the climax of the story
as if trying to say, "Surely you are not going down there."
Personifying to add character or to imply the narrator is losing it
only way of escape from this island was by turning back and jumping again that crevasse which I dreaded, or venturing ahead across the giant crevasse by the very worst of the sliver bridges I had ever seen.
Shift in style for this sentence from long flowing sentences describing imagery to blatantly stating the issues at hand to make it clearly put forth for the reader
All this time the little dog followed me bravely
Spent half the piece describing its surroundings yet failed to mention he had company on this trip, was this a purposeful stylistic choice to bring more of a shock value when reintroducing the dog?
I traced them with firm nerve developed by the danger
I wonder if Emerson or Thoreau felt these fears while out on their expeditions
I had to make haste to recross the glacier before dark
Previously described as a wild and seemingly dangerous location, foreshadows an upcoming problem for the narrator
aneroid
Synonym - near
a crystal cataract incomparably greater and wilder than a score of Niagaras.
Comparison to famous location to emphasize the appeal and beauty of this area and allows for a broad audience
though making haste, I halted for a moment to gaze down into the beautiful pure blue crevasses
Connection to Emerson/Thoreau ideas that by slowing down/simplifying life, one can take the time to enjoy/appreciate/reflect about it
until I could find a bridge connecting their sides, oftentimes making the direct distance ten times over
Implies character traits such as inefficient and unadaptable
I feared that when I got out of sight of land and perhaps into a maze of crevasses I might find difficulty in winning a way back.
Foreshadows an issue with him and the dog's ability to go back
mountain shoes, tightened my belt, shouldered my ice-axe, and, thus free
Relating back to mister's little dog, even with the absence of physical presence, given the obvious power dynamic, are they ever really free?
Here the glacier, descending over an abrupt rock, falls forward in grand cascades, while a stream swollen by the rain was now a torrent, -- wind, rain, ice-torrent, and water-torrent in one grand symphony.
Vivid imagery balanced with a combination of show vs tell to create mental pictures to immerse the reader in the story
its present bare, raw condition was not the condition of fifty or a hundred years ago
Glaciers represents a connection to ancestors and historic time periods
moraine
Def: geology An accumulation of rocks and debris carried and deposited by a glacier.
I told him to go back, that such a day as this had nothing for him.
What are the consequences for losing the dog?
BATES: Thank you for having me
S: Laura Bates O: The gaining popularity of a Shakespeare course taught in prisons A: those with some prejustice against inmates P: to spread awareness about her program to educate people about prison programs S: Shakespeare course in prisons Tone: inspiring, determined, familiar/informal
The whole college atmosphere is something I was not familiar with
Allows relatability for inmates (college education = more authority)
I feel that I've been able to turn their own lives around
One person turning life around -> gives hope and possibility to others that it is possible
so bleak for so many years that he was literally at the point of suicide. And so in that sense by Shakespeare coming along, presenting something positive in his life for maybe the first time, giving him a new direction, it did literally keep him from taking his own life
Shows how important sense of community/passion is for a person, especially an inmate (relate sto how cruel the lack of all enrichment is (ie solitary confinement))
he's a good young man, and yet by looking at the kind of society that he grows up in
are people helplessly at the hands of their environment or do innate traits counteract the external forces?
I'm using his workbooks even with college students on campus and with area high school students.
Important -> brings topic to the public and makes it general interest to learn about prisons
more insight you get into Shakespeare's characters, the more insight you get into your own character
Interesting how most people would likely would scoff at therapy, yet are doing the same process with this course
made them question their own motive
Created a therapeutic process of finding yourself (using Macbeth as a crutch to do so)
I might be tempted, I might have ambitions, but to kill a good man is not the right way to go
Lesson applicable to inmates
subject matter that these prisoners I felt would relate to
Interesting how Shakespeare themes can still relate 400 years later
But these prisoners were able to make sense of some passages that professional Shakespeare scholars have struggled with for 400 years.
This feels like an exaggeration
some of their insights were beyond those of students who you'd been teaching for years.
I know this is to boost her point about prisoners being smart but it just makes her look like a bad teacher
demonstrate to both the prisoner population and the administration itself that this is successful, then it's going to grow
Interesting how this compares to solitary, where it has proven over and over again that it is ineffective and destructive and yet it continues
so here comes somebody from the street knocking on their cell door and saying, hi, would you like to read some Shakespeare?
Contradictory to usual deprecating interactions - outside teachers provide a safer space (instead of trying to control/restrict inmates (like guards, lieutenants, etc), they allow creativity freedom/independent thinking)
And my prisoner-students told me about this unit, this highly restricted unit, super max, and that's where my student, Don, had been sent.
Note addition of 'my student' -> makes the event more personal and gains more empathy
It was a shock and a learning experience to me when I discovered this unit even existed
Allows Bates to relate to listener, who is processing the shock of her work and mostly likely extremely separated/uniformed about the prison system
not just to people who are in prison, but people who are considered the worst of the worst
Brings up interesting question -> are prisoners necessarily bad people? Relates to Hellhole that humanizes and somewhat rationalizes their actions
But that's actually where
Note addition of 'actually' changes tone -> highlights the unusualness and risk of the job
Maybe you think about well-trained actors performing in beautifully appointed theaters, but what probably does not come to mind are convicted murderers in some of the most restrictive circumstances in the country
Vastly contrasting visuals -> juxtaposition -> grabs attention and emphasises the dangers and unique-ness of Shakespeare in prison
Studies
S: Jessica Moye O: A final assignment for a class and the increasing negative effects of solitary in prisons A: professors, researchers P: to purpose new alternatives to solitary confinement S: the data surrounding solitary confinement Tone: critical, statistical
The prison system cannot afford to continue to operate with the current solitary confinement practices
Afford money-wise or mental health-wise
likely to result in a significant amount of pushback from prison administrators
Interesting how push back from administration tops the benefits for the inmates
Alternative two appears to be the most efficient approach
Very direct language -> creates accessibility and clarity
completely removing the option of solitary confinement could also be detrimental because there would be limited options for those that are particularly violent
and the new study showing solitary can benefit inmates
20% reduction in problem behavior is a realistic expectation
Huge improvement given the circumstances, adds certainty and confident tone
For this reason, the first alternative is not a viable option.
Taking into account the limitations and practically -> adds reason and credibility/reliability
require significant changes to current prison practices
Meaning realistically, it could not happen - in today's society change is usually bad/not going to happen
leaving room for more changes
Important factor as policies change
unreasonable to suggest that mental health issues could be completely eliminated
Being realistic -> adds reason/reliability
no longer uses solitary confinement as discipline for behavior issues that arise from an inmate’s mental illness and have created an intervention unit
Addresses root problem (mental illness) instead of continuing cycle
strict guidelines on the use of solitary confinement
Surprising that there are not already guidelines in place
Continued use under the current methods, however, is likely to result in continued mental and physical health concerns
Do people in charge care enough about inmates well being enough to raise the standard? - do they see inmates as human or merely as a threat
access to exercise, proper hygiene, and using an inmate’s threat to safety and the nature of the offense to determine an inmate’s length of stay
Counter: if the standards raise and the punishments are not as extreme, inmates would lose the fear of being sent to solitary and therefore act out more
Future studies in this area would be strengthened
Including flaws and counterpoints boosts credibility
received solitary confinement as a punishment were also likely to receive solitary confinement a second or third time
Creating a cycle of behavioral issues and doesn't solve root problem to positively change inmate
27% of the inmates surveyed had suicidal thoughts
Only percentage used that is a considerable amount of people
distress may be triggered by extended periods in restrictive housing,
And yet the prevalence of solitary confinment is only increasing
psychological distress were more likely to spend time in restrictive housing
Adds to the psychological issues -> creating new disordered behaviors
statistical prevalence of restrictive housing
Using statistics and data builds credibility and appeals to reason/logic
It proposes several policy alternatives as well as the potential outcomes
Purpose
inmates in solitary confinement often experience a host of psychological issues
Could reveal how psychological issues are seen with children (neglected kids with less attention and more time alone linked to an increase with behavioral issues)
cognitive issues, but also physical health issues
Interesting how emotional and physical states connect
cruel and excessive
Descriptors reveal author's tone (critical) and view of solitary (a negative thing)
house inmates for long-term segregation
Paragraph shows clear cause and effect in a blantant, direct format
increased use of prisons to house those with mental health issues
Shows societal view of differently abled people and inmates
protection of the inmate
To protect the inmate, shouldn't the one threatening their safety be confined to solitary?
many other reasons
like testing
restrictive housing
Name to sugarcoat the shock and reality of solitary
prison
S: Philip Bulman, Marie Garcia, Jolene Hernon O: the surprising conclusion of the study that contradicted other previous findings A: researchers P: to showcase the effect of a study on solitude S: the inmates under the effect of AS Tone: objective, apathetic, direct
females
Why did the tests not include females?
literateadult men
Wonder what the effect of literacy is on theses findings
The researchers noted that theirfindings might not apply to otherprison systems
I agree with this statement, especially when other, bigger studies have proven the opposite
people in isolation mightbe more inclined to participate ina study simply because it wouldinvolve receiving attention from aninterviewer
Very important factor when testing inmates
They decidedthat the productivity increasedbecause the workers saw them-selves as special participants in anexperiment.
Do studies really find any universal behavioral findings or do they find these patterns just because the test groups are in studies
weaker, quasi-experimental designswith comparison groups
Sparks the need for a larger study group to help control abnormalities
receive enoughunderstandable information to makea voluntary decision
How is this measured? People understand the same information differently
children andpregnant women
Interesting how prisoners vastly contrast pregnant women and children and yet they share vulnerabilities
Challenges of Conducting Research in Prisons
Showing flaws/inconsistencies boost credibility/reliability
Privileges could beexpanded if prisoners successfullycompleted behavior modificationand cognitive programs
What determines success in this case?
Prisoners wereplaced in full restraints before beingescorted
Did the guard escorting the prisoners talk/interact with them? another inconsistency
exterior window
This is another flaw in the testing because it gives external enrichment -> subjects aren't experiencing the same view/stimuli
23 hours daily
inhumane
one hour out of thecell for exercise and showers
How does someone shower and exercise all in one hour
violent ordisruptive behavior.
Abnormal behavior -> abnormal study group -> results cannot show universal human patterns
20 percent of the study sampleimproved and 7 percent worsened
Using specific data and numbers boosts understanding and credibility
Results
Separation of color, size ,and spacing to draw attention and emphasis surprising conclusion
he results showed initialimprovements in psychological well-being in all three groups of inmates
If there are in prison, they probably aren't surrounded by the best people -> solitary might be a relief
no clinical psycholo-gist interviewed the inmates
Behaviors and conversation tell a lot about a person, how could the study be fully complete without this assessment?
mentally ill inmates woulddecline more rapidly and havemore serious illnesses
Another flaw in study - are the mentally ill test subjects properly medicated (how would this be measured?)
mental illness and those with nomental illness
Debatably, inmates aren't the best test subjects (only 5.1% of US population goes to prison) - isn't going to prison an indicator of an abnormality
inmates in ASat Colorado State Penitentiary, a“supermax” facility
Interesting how the test subjects are inmates - alludes to how society views inmates as lower/inferior -> wouldn't want someone cared about being tested upon (especially the effects of solitude)
Mountains
S: Jon Krakauer O: the life and death of McCandless A: any one P: to take the reader through this story of McCandless while revealing character traits and layers of complexity to a situation many would overlook S: McCandless Tone: objective
Chris would never intentionally burn down a forest,not even to save his life," answers Carine McCandless. "Anybody who would suggest otherwisedoesn't understand the first thing about my brother
Reveals a lot about McCandless' compassion and view of himself
In all likelihoodMcCandless mistakenly ate some seeds from the wild sweet pea and became gravely ill
Consequence of his own actions and lack of information (result of his overconfidence)
He seemed ready, perhaps, to go home
Very surprising but stylistically, the perhaps gives a lot more information and adds uncertainty
One of the greatest tragedies of my life.
This seems like a bizarre statement given his situation
hunting was an unavoidable componentof living off the land, he had always been ambivalent about killing animals
Shows McCandless character, perhaps more compassion for animals than himself
Ultimate freedom. Anextremist
Signals that true freedom is acquired through seperation from society, debatably the most extreme thing one can do
Shift in sentence structure -> adds engagement and separates McCandless writing from the narrator
Reading of the these monks, one is struck by their courage, their reckless innocence, and theintensity of their desire. And one can't help thinking of Chris McCandless
Distinctly separates McCandless from these negative traits and the connotation of "cant stop thinking" signals his importance and complexity
unlike McCunn, he didn't go into the bush assuming that someone would magicallyappear to bring him out again before he came to grief
Exemplifies distinction that McCandless' relief on himself (partly to his overconfidence) + divide between him and societal expectations
When news of McCandless's fate came to light, most Alaskans were quick to dismiss him as a nutcase
Most people are unable to understand the complexity of perceived outlandish actions -> leads to lack of compassion
"I just don't understand why he had to take those kinds of chances
Repeating theme that exemplifies the divide between McCandless and the social norms, causing tension on his relationships due to a lack of consistent care
He was good at almost everything he ever tried," says Walt, "which made him supremelyoverconfident. If you attempted to talk him out of something, he wouldn't argue. He'd just nod politelyand then do exactly what he wanted
Dialogue breaks the text into chucks and highlights important hints at McCandless character
He tookpride in his ability to go without food for extended periods, and he had complete confidence that hecould get himself out of any jam
overconfidence -> superiority -> false safety
punctuated by a single F, the result of butting heads with a particularly rigid physics teacher
Shows an innate clashing of structure and societal norms of routine
I really liked hiscompany, even though he frustrated us so often
Frustration driven by a care that other people had for him but he didn't have for himself
That's a very different thing from wanting to die
Change of sentence structure adds clear emphasis and literally separates it from the rest of the text, showing a clear distinction/importance
similar intensity, a similarheedlessness, a similar agitation of the soul
repetition of similar with description to add increasing awareness and depth while emphasizing the analysis
he wanted to work in the grain elevatorfor a while, just long enough to put together a little grubstake
Shows more lack of permanence -> given the opportunity of stability and rejects it for the most out there journey
To avoid being rolled and robbed bythe unsavory characters who ruled the streets and freeway overpasses where he slept
Shows a distinction and divide between sketchy people and McCandless but all living a similar lifestyle
Ithas things in it that I think you will understand, things that escape most people
Sentence structure emphasizes quotation
McCandless was exhilarated
Surprising reaction to adversity, showing an increasingly developing divide between him and societal expectations
Chris McCandless intended to invent a new life for himself, one in which he wouldbe free to wallow in unfiltered experience
More contrasting of negative and positive descriptors
, money his parents thought he intended to use for law school. Instead, he donated theentire sum to the Oxford Famine Relief Fund.
Begins to show a contrast between him and his surroundings
told everybody he met thereafter that he was from SouthDakota
Claiming a new identity + shows lack of permanence in McCandless' life
what got him into trouble was that he did too much thinking
Common issue for today's society
He set pretty high standards for himself.
Big contrast from what's been previously described -> shows a big shift in standard of living and self respect
"Heused to sit right there at the end of the bar and tell us these amazing stories of his travels. He couldtalk for hours."
Interesting quotation given that the dialogue from Alex was quite short and not revealing much
Starvation wassuggested as the most probable cause of death.
Like James' warned about
It wasn't until I walked around to the other side and saw a head sticking out that I knewfor certain what it was." Chris McCandless had been dead for some two and a half weeks
Long sentences of vivid imagery contrasted by the short, morbid fact to end the paragraph -> separates and emphasises McCandless' death
Many winters ago the bus was fitted withbedding and a crude barrel stove, then skidded into the bush by enterprising hunters to serve as abackcountry shelter. These days it isn't unusual for nine or ten months to pass without the busseeing a human visitor
Juxtaposition? for emphasis and show pass in time
his bewildered family is left clutching theshards of a fierce and painful love
vivid descriptors add emotion + engagement to text
astonished and occasionally alarmed those who knew him well
Another positive and negative, almost contradictory ideas, next to each other
asceticism
Def: severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence
honors graduate of Emory University
College graduate = "successful"
stubborn idealism
Interesting having a negative quality and positive quality describing each other
His real nameturned out to be Christopher J. McCandless
Shows a lapse in the hitchhikers character - lying about his name
I won't run into anything I can't deal with on my own
Integration of limited, simple dialogue give the text a story-telling feeling instead of an vivid, experience
He even offered to drive Alex all the way to Anchorage so he could at least buy thekid some decent gear.
Another more direct sign of James' care for the man changing and developing
I don't want to know what day it is, or where I am. None of that matters.
Rejecting social norms with structure, balance, and routine
Gallien was concerned
Note connotation of concern -> shows a change in perspective from the beginning seeing the hitchhiker as a crack addict and by this point caring for him
The bush, however, is a harsh place and cares nothing for hope or longing. More thana few such dreamers have met predictably unpleasant ends
Short, direct sentences add an apathetic tone
Jack London
American author best known for his book "The Call of The Wild"
"liveoff the land for a few months."
"" around certain texts adds emphasis and almost mocking tone
Just Alex," the young man replied, pointedly rejecting the bait
Adds mystery and skepticism
a hitchhiker with a Remington semiautomaticisn't the sort of thing that gives motorists pause in the 49th state
Shows the oddity of the situation and the leap of faith James took
Jon Krakauer
Speaker
teenage
S: Daily Mail Reporter O: the increasingly desperate living conditions for these families A: people who can spread the message and donate P: to educate people and 'expose' the lives of people in low income areas S: specific families Tone: objective yet unsettling
Last year, 48.6 per cent of the population in Owsley below 18-years-old fell below the poverty line - a seven per cent increase from their parents' generation
Short, strategical and unsettling sentence to end the article leaves the reader uncomfortable and called for action
Family and community
Big emphasis throughout text