Chapter 1
The man who picks up Alex and gives him a ride to the head of the Stampede Trail.
Jim Galien.
what was the number on the old bus Chris found on the stampede trail?
142
What town in South Dakota Alex often say was his home?
Carthage.
He had 2 months worth of mail, sent back to them on the same day. All of the mail they have sent him during that time was untouched.
Chris ended up in this Colorado town in 1991.
Bullhead City.
What role does the flashback structure play?
It helps build suspense by withholding important information
What did the moose hunter's find as they approached the bus?
A couple staring at the bus and a horrible odor coming form the bus. They found Chris, Books, A note etc.
What was the name of his close friend and boss in Carthage?
Wayne Westerberg.
His first stop was here, where his car was washed out by a flash flood.
Lake Mead. Nevada
How long did Chris stay in Bullhead City.
2 months.
How much rice did Alex have with him to survive in Alaska?
10 pounds.
How long do they think Chris McCandless was dead for before the hunter's found him.
2 1/2 weeks.
Where was Alex really from?
California / Washington D.C
Why does McCandless burn his money,
and Why would it make Thoreau/Tolstoy proud?
McCandless burns his money to symbolize his severance from society and its chains (such as money). This would make Thoreau & Tolstoy proud because they believed money corrupted people.
What does enigmatic mean?
"Chris was enigmatic"
Mysterious and difficult to understand
What does Galien get Alex to take with him when he drops him off? and how was Chris described ( look and personality wise)
An old pair of rubber work boots. He was unprepared, wire build, kind/personable and stubborn.
Describe the land where Alex disappears.
Wild, Trackless, Snow capped mountains, rivers, forests, and valleys
Why is the narrative about Wayne Westerberg significant to the development of McCandless’s character?
It demonstrates Chris’s work ethic and ability to connect with others
What allusion was being referenced when mentioning James Joyce?
McCandless’s journey because it describes exactly how he was feeling as he embarked on his journey. He was euphoric, independent, and free, basking in the beauty of nature, just like this character from Joyce’s novel.
Where did Chris work while in Bullhead City? And what complaints did he receive from his manager.
McDonald's; his manager said he works at a slow pace, smells and does not like to wear any socks with his shoes.
How old does Galien think Alex is?
18 or 19.
How much did Chris weigh when he died?
67 pounds.
Alex did this with his money after graduating college and how much money was it?
He donated it to a charity called OXFAM ($24,000).
McCandless bought a canoe and traveled down the Colorado River. What happened because of this and how does it describe his character?
He was arrested for crossing the Border and did not have a Canoeing license. It also shows how he does not car about any laws, or rules set in place. He is going to do whatever he wants and enjoy life.
What "hippie" town that was an abandoned military base did Chris end up in after leaving Bullhead City? And who did he stay with?
"The Slabs" and Jan and Bob Burres