Kip Redick Example of an Outside Reading Post

 Recently I decided to give the renowned masterpiece by Jon Krakauer known as Into the Wild another read. Needless to say I was just as heartbroken as the first time I read this novel/watched the 2007 film. I felt the need to discuss the work here simply because I feel it relates to a lot of discussions we have been having in class. I mean think about it, a young man sets out across the country to explore creation as it was intended to be experienced. As the story progresses, I remember being left with a sense of wonder, even thinking things along the lines of "I wonder would what happen if I just decided to do this one day?" I feel it's common knowledge how this story ends by now, with the main protagonist passing away alone in the wilderness, no one around for miles due to accidentally ingesting a poisonous plant. Although I have previously discussed how nature is God's most pure creation and should be treated as such, I feel I need to address a different concern that the ending of this book raises. Has mankind evolved to no longer belong in nature? Have we grown beyond the ability to survive without our homes and comfortable 21st century lifestyle? These are questions that have certainly plagued me as I finished the ending of this heartbreaking story. I believe the answer to be a bit of a two part answer. First and foremost, I'd say human beings currently have evolved to reach our current status for a reason, meaning yes, we no longer belong in nature as we are. However, if God intended us to reach this point, that does not mean the we are forsake our duties as caretakers of the earth and selfishly destroy it simply because we feel somewhat removed from our surrounding environment. All in all, this book left me feeling sad, yet optimistic about the future. Nature is one to be respected, not taken for granted or destroyed.

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