Into The Wild Chapter 5 Stops On The Journey Worksheet Answers ((link)) -
| Symbol from Ch. 5 | What It Represents | Worksheet Answer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | The slot machines in Bullhead City | The empty, predatory nature of American leisure and the "trap" of easy pleasure. | Answer: Temptation and emptiness. | | McCandless’s refusal to wear a McDonald’s hat | His individual rebellion against institutional authority, even when it hurts his own interests. | Answer: Performative non-conformity. | | The Colorado River flowing past Bullhead City | A natural element flowing through an artificial landscape. Also, a literal path away from civilization. | Answer: Freedom and escape. | | The $500 he saves from McDonald’s | His ticket out. He does not use the money for gear or food; he uses it to buy a canoe (which he will later abandon). | Answer: Means to an end, not the end itself. |
Many students ask why McCandless stayed so long in a place he should have hated. Krakauer suggests that Chris was testing himself—seeing if he could live in civilization without being "corrupted" by it. Ultimately, the "socks and shoes" requirement at McDonald's was the breaking point that sent him back to the road.
For students working through the common "Stops on the Journey" worksheet, Chapter 5 often presents specific challenges because it contradicts the protagonist's established pattern of movement. This article serves as a detailed study guide, providing context, analysis, and the answers typically sought in worksheet curriculums regarding this specific chapter. | Symbol from Ch
, here is a concise breakdown of the key stops and details usually required for your answers: Stop 1: Bullhead City, Arizona
His coworkers remember him as a hard worker but eccentric. He eventually quits because he hates wearing shoes and is annoyed by the "corporate" obsession with hygiene and schedules. 2. The "The Slabs" (Niland, California) | | McCandless’s refusal to wear a McDonald’s
Instructions: Identify what each symbol represents in Chapter 5.
The chapter begins with a quote from Thoreau’s Walden : "I left the woods for as good a reason as I went there." This foreshadows Alex’s departure. He did not fail; his purpose was fulfilled. The closing lines describe him hitchhiking toward Las Vegas (of all places) and then north to the Mojave Desert. This shows his inconsistency: he hates consumerism but passes through Vegas. He hates society but needs its roads. The chapter proves that McCandless is not a pure ascetic or a logical philosopher—he is a young man driven by contradictory impulses, which makes him both frustrating and fascinating. Also, a literal path away from civilization
Symbolizes the tension between Chris’s need for survival (money) and his hatred of societal rules. It proves he could have lived a normal life, but chose not to.
What alias does McCandless use, and what does this reveal about his state of mind? Answer: During his time in Bullhead City, McCandless often uses the alias "Alex" (Alexander Supertramp). However, in a fascinating twist detailed in the chapter, he fills out a W-4 form for McDonald's using his real name, Chris McCandless , but lists a fake Social Security number. Why this matters: Worksheet questions often focus on this dichotomy. He is living as "Alex," the drifter, yet working as "Chris," the citizen. This highlights his internal conflict: he needs money to survive and fund his Alaskan dream, but he refuses to be fully tracked by the government or his parents.
McCandless leaves because comfort is his enemy. In Bullhead City, he experiences what Krakauer calls "the dormant seeds of domestication." He begins to enjoy hot showers, cold soda, and steady meals. This terrifies him. He came to the road to reject the "absurd conformity" of American life. By working at McDonald’s (the ultimate symbol of corporate conformity) and renting a room, he has become the very thing he despises. He leaves not because he fails, but because he succeeds too much at being normal. His departure is an act of spiritual self-defense.