Miyah's English Blog

Prompt Response: The film version of Into the Wild deepens my understanding of Chris McCandless compared to reading the book by utilizing visuals to show hyper isolation. Many shots in the film show him alone with his surroundings. The book helps me understand the psychology behind McCandless but the film makes me really feel it. A time when seeing something visually changed my understanding of a situation is when my sister and her friends made a horrible mess in the living room. I had underestimated how much damage such little girls could make. When I saw it, it was worse than I had thought it was.  Summary:  In class we watched another 40 minutes of the movie adaptation of Into the Wild and answered 3 reflection questions.   Reflection:  Through watching another 40 minutes of the movie adaptation of Into the Wild , I am recognizing how the film is portraying McCandless’s journey as more idealistic rather than in the book, where it’s more reckless. 

Prompt Response: A relationship in my life where I feel truly understood is with my best friend. I had never felt so connected to someone before her. What makes our friendship strong is that we both have built a safe space for one another. There is no judgment with us, which makes us more comfortable with each other. Our friendship compares to the connection between Chris and Carine in Into the Wild by both our bonds being uniquely tight. Chris and Carine are very different but their bond overpowers that. Me and my best friend’s bond is so strong despite us only knowing each other for such little time. Summary: In class we read Chapter 13 of Into the Wild and answered reflection questions about it. Reflection: Through reading Chapter 13 of Into the Wild, I learned Carine is very opposite of McCandless, she lives a conventional life compared to him. 

Prompt Response: Question: In your opinion, what builds trust in a relationship, and what can damage it? I think communication builds trust in a relationship. Trust is known to be the foundation of a healthy relationship, to build that trust though, communication is required. Being able to communicate your feelings establishes transparency and a safe space for each person to go to. Secrecy can damage a relationship because it shows that one does not trust the other person in the relationship. It puts up a barrier between both people.  Summary: In class we wrote 15 original sentences for lesson 11 vocabulary, read chapter 12, and answered connection & text analysis questions orally.  Reflection: Through reading Chapter 12 of Into the Wild, I learned that McCandless feels hostile towards his father after learning of his secret life with another woman and their child. 

Prompt Response: I think the visual version of Chris's journey makes his choices more justified than the text. In the first opening shots of him in Alaska, it is a very hazy and romanticized look of the wilderness. Even a jolly track plays behind the shots. The film utilized its visuals to sell a charm to his story. It shapes my perspective on McCandless to be more sympathetic. Seeing his journey as a noble quest to ultimate freedom. Rather than in the book, which makes his journey out to be a dangerous, ill-prepared misadventure. Summary: In class we watched the first 40 minutes of the movie adaptation of Into the Wild and completed a book vs film comparison. Reflection: Through watching the first 40 minutes of Into the Wild the film, the imagery helped develop the theme of total isolation. 

Prompt Response: A moment when my understanding of my family changed is when I realized my dad is just an absentee in my life. It impacted my perspective of our relationship to see that we will never truly have a close father daughter dynamic. All because of his lack of effort to be more of a physical and emotional presence in my life. My realization connects with Chris’s realization about his parents in Chapter 11 because my coming to terms of not having my father's presence around me relates to Chris's dislike of the idea of parents. We both distance ourselves from them as well.  Summary: In class we completed the Family Background Reflection Worksheet, read Chapter 11 of Into the Wild, and completed a reflection sheet. Reflection: Through reading Chapter 11 of Into the Wild, I learned that McCandless was someone who was okay to be alone without being lonely. 

Prompt Response: Chapter 8 of Into the Wild stood out the most to me. I found Krakauer tying Mcandless to all these other young, adventurous men was compelling. It helped further my understanding of his journey of finding ultimate freedom. What made the chapter interesting to me is the connections that were drawn between all the young men's stories. How they are all connected by similar traits but still had differences in their act and mindsets.  Summary: In class we did the Into the Wild Chapters 1 - 10 Unit Test. Reflection: Through taking the test, I proved my knowledge of the first 10 Chapters of Into the Wild. 

Prompt Response: Success in my current stage of life is defined by my grades. Getting my work in on time, passing a test, and completing classwork is all to get good grades. I think grades defining my success comes more from expectations from both my family and school. Being an outstanding scholar is all that is expected by my family. Getting good grades doesn't truly represent my personal definition of success though.  Summary: In class we answered one of our classmate's questions about Chapter 8 of Into the Wild and read Chapters 9 and 10 of Into the Wild and completed reflection assignments about the two chapters. Reflection: In chapter 9 of Into the Wild, I think the parallels between McCandless and Everett Ruess are interesting. 

Prompt Response: A time I chose to be on my own instead of relying on others was when I set up and hosted a sleepover for my little sister by myself. My mom was feeling really sick that day, so she could not get things done for the sleepover. I put myself up to run this thing all by myself. I planned activities, got snacks, and bought other necessities to make it a great night. I hosted and looked after the girls all by myself, without my mom's help. If I had a do over for the sleepover I would still choose to host and plan by myself.  Summary: In class we created critical thinking questions for Chapter 8 of Into the Wild. Reflection: Through reading Chapter 8 of Into the Wild, I learned a lot about the public's opinion on McCandless's journey, most thought he was stupid.   

Prompt Response: The vocabulary word 'timorous' resonates with me the most personally. It is significant to me because that is a word I would describe myself as. In many instances I have been timid. I remember at a family reunion I didn't talk to anyone until 4 hours in. There are so many experiences in my life where I have a timorous act.  Summary: In class we wrote 15 original sentences for the lesson 10 vocabulary and did exercises 1 and 3.  Reflection: I learned that 'inchoate' means unformed or undeveloped. 

Prompt Response: My desired SAT score is between 1400–1540. My top 3 colleges are Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Atlanta, Oglethorpe University, and Atlanta Technical College.  SCAD (Atlanta) appeals to me because it offers over 100 majors in fields I am interested in. Oglethorpe University appeals to me because it is close to home. Atlanta Technical College appeals to me because their Graphic Design program interests me.  Summary: In class we read Chapter 7 of Into the Wild, recorded our thoughts and reactions on paper, and created visualization sketches.  Reflection: Through reading Chapter 7 of Into the Wild, I learned that McCandless is a great piano player. 

Prompt Response: I find the change in time easy to adjust to. It mainly affects my night routine. I have to start my routine way earlier than before. I also have to prioritize getting enough sleep. Besides that, my schedule is well adjusted to the change.  Summary: In class we read Chapter 6 of Into the Wild and completed a 3-2-1 Strategy Chart.  Reflection: Through reading Chapter 6 of Into the Wild, I learned that Franz was the most impacted by McCandless's death out of all of those who made contact with him on his journey. 

Prompt Response: An artist that has influenced the way I think about life is Olivia Rodrigo. Particularly in the way of navigating the emotions and pressures of being a young woman, specifically a woman of color. Her songs are like pages ripped out of my diary. From her, I learned that it is okay to be angry and feel a lot. She is one of the great influences on my life.  Summary: In class we read Chapter 5 of Into the Wild and answered 7 questions about it.  Reflection: While reading Chapter 5, I learned that McCandless's love for the writings of Jack London, influenced his glorification of the Alaska wilderness. 

Prompt Response: If I had to simplify my life and only keep a few possessions, I would keep 3 items. One being my CDs because I think physical media is important in preserving the media you love. The second would be my favorite items of clothing I own because I would want to wear clothes I feel comfortable in. The third item would be my handbag because it was a gift from my mom that I love dearly. The item that would be hardest to leave behind is my CDs because music is something really important to me and I really value my collection of CDs.  Summary: In class we did the "Into the Wild Chapter 4 Quote Analysis" assignment on Writable      .  Reflection: Through answering the reflection questions on the quote analysis, I am able to reflect upon the themes of Into the Wild through my own experiences. 

Prompt Response:  A time I needed distance from a group of people in order to think more clearly was in 4th grade. I was friends with these four other girls, and despite it being a toxic friend group, I kept staying friends with them. Later on I started to feel like they were leeches sucking every bit of my personality out of me. Once I stepped away from them, I realized my identity was just attached to them. I officially cut them out after the time I spent to myself.  Summary: In class we read Chapter 1 and 2 of Into the Wild individuality and filled out a theme analysis chart.  Reflection: After my readings of chapter 1 and 2 of Into the Wild, I still think McCandless is naive.

Prompt Response: After reading chapter 1 of Into the Wild, My first impression of Christopher McCandless is that he is a rebel and naive. I believe that McCandless did not truly understand the risks he was taking when he entered the Alaskan wilderness based on the interactions with Gallien. McCandless was asking questions to Gallien about what berries he could eat and other things. He also revealed what he carried in his backpack, what he had would not last him in Alaska. McCandless also denied Gallien when offered to buy him the correct equipment or tried giving him his boots, showing he naively believes he can survive off the land.  Summary: In class we read Chapter 1 of Into the Wild.  Reflection: Based on reading the first chapter of Into the Wild, I think Christopher McCandless has a rebel mentality. 

Prompt Response: While working on creating my Vocabulary Digital Cards in Adobe Express, the easiest word for me to understand was provocative. I've encountered the word before in previous times in my life. The most challenging word was toady because it was brand new to me. Creating my own sentences for each word helped strengthen my understanding of the Vocabulary by practicing using the word in context. Selecting images for each word helped strengthen my understanding of the Vocabulary by providing a symbol of the word.  Summary: In class we did the Vocabulary Digital Cards in Adobe Express. Reflection: I learned that goad means to urge or prod.