Characterization is the method used by a writer to develop a character. The method includes:
- showing the character's appearance;
- displaying the character's actions;
- revealing the character's thoughts;
- letting the character speak; and
- getting the reactions of others.
In the exposition of the novel Alex starts off by being this mysterious young man. Who we know nothing of. As the story progresses we know a little bit more about him and who he is. I believe that Krakauer uses pathos since it appeals to the reader's emotion. I think that Alex does not want to reveal himself as a person, we know this for a fact because of how he leaves the people he met and how he acts throughout the whole novel.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the author uses pathos to appeal to the reader's emotions.What do you mean by How he leaves the people he met?Why do you think that he didn't want to reveal himself, was he in danger in anyway if people found out who he was?
DeleteReyna, keep in that he left home by himself. Why would he want to make friends when his mind set, focused on him surviving Alaskan wilderness. Anyways, why would he reveal his real name, which he inherited from his father, the man who he grew great hatred against?
DeleteMaybe he was in danger, why would he tell people that his name was Alex instead of his real name? Why hide it? Unless he was actually running from something in his past.
DeleteJesus, I believe that he did not tell people his real name because of the simple fact that he just wanted to get away. I don't think he was in any danger what so ever, he just did not want to bring his "struggles" along with him. What I mean by struggles is his situation with his family, so he changes his name.
DeleteJesus, I highly doubt that he was running away from something in his past. Chris' mind was always set to fulfill his "Odyssey." His past simply gave him another excuse to get away.
DeleteThere is great character development is the novel. We only get a glimpse at who Chris really is at the beginning of the book, but soon we get to know just who he was and where he came from. The author does a great job at foreshadowing many events that really helped shape just who Chris was and his ideology.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Chris and his ideology are developed at a slow pace throughout the novel, but since Chris had left home in search of a new life, would his ideology still be building? Even though he already had a goal for himself which was to journey into the Alaskan wilderness. Is his goal, his ideology?
DeleteYes I agree with you because Krakauer does a great job with his characterization. I also think that Chris was also taking his own life through his decisions. I think that throughout the book we the reader are able to be able to understand Chris better.
Delete
DeleteI agree with what you said about the author using foreshadowing to shape Chris's character. The use of foreshadowing creates a sort of suspense at certain times in the book for example in chapter two when they find a dead body inside a sleeping bag.
In the beginning of the novel we do not get to know who Chris really is. We see him as a hitchhiker and do not expect what others felt for him.The author uses pathos through out the story. He creates a sense of sympathy for those who met "Alex" through out his journey.The author uses quotes that chris finds in the stories he reads, by putting them he is letting us now whats going to happen in the chapters.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the author uses the quotes from the books Chris has been reading throughout his journey. It helps us understand furthermore what will be happening in that chapter.
DeleteThe author also uses the quotes to foreshadow what is going to happen in the chapter. I agree that there is great character development,he leaves the reader thinking about Chris' past.What do you mean of his ideology, in the beginning of the book?
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the story, the reader is provided with very little information of Chris McCandless, the main character. It starts of with imagery, describing Chris' appearance and his perspective on wilderness. As the story proceeds, so does the information, educating the reader with more information about the character from past to present to the future. John Krakauer, the author, achieves to present to the reader the significance of Chris McCandless' past through the use of flashbacks that appeal to logos.
ReplyDeleteIn the book "Into The Wild" by John Krakauer, a character named Chris McCandless is describe to the reader through the use of imagery that appeals to the readers pathos. The way that the author use imagery to create this mental picture of the main character is by describing many physical characteristics that almost instantaneously appeal to the readers pathos because no one like to picture a young boy who looks like he’s on the verge of starvation. This rhetorical device is also repeated several times throughout the book, developing Chris’s character more and more.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about the way imagery is used to describe Chris' character. As the author described Chris I was able to create an image of him. Although, I would like you to include more examples of the way the author used imagery in his intention of revealing Chris' character.
DeleteIn the beginning of the novel, the author uses imagery to describe Alex to the reader. At first, we do not receive much detail about Alex, but as the novel goes on we learn more about him. The author appeals to the readers pathos as he continues to describe Alex and his actions. Quotes are provided in the beginning of the chapters that the author takes from book Alex was reading to foreshadow what will happen in that significant chapter, which also helps appeal to the readers pathos.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel "Into The Wild" , the author begins describing Chris McCandless through his physical appearance. Throughout the novel he constantly describes him a youngster and a dreamer. He intends to appeal to his audience's pathos through his use of allegory. While describing Chris he compares him to others who had the same mentality as him. Furthermore, the novel basically set Chris as a symbol that represents all those who are free spirited and want something more out of life. This appeals to the reader's pathos because it makes them wonder why someone would want to isolate themselves from civilization and walk into the wild.In addition, John Krakauer also appeals to his audience's ethos through his use of antithesis. He reveals that Chris has a lot of qualities many wish to have such as; wealth, intelligence, and confidence. It made no sense for him to give all that up. John characterized McCandless very well as he revealed key factors of his life.
ReplyDelete