In Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild," the quote "The trip would be an odyssey in the fullest sense of the word, an epic journey that would change everything" refers to the protagonist Christopher McCandless' journey into the Alaskan wilderness. The quote is significant because it highlights the transformative nature of McCandless' journey and the impact it had on his life.
The word "odyssey" has several meanings, most notably as a reference to Homer's epic poem, "The Odyssey," which chronicles the adventures of the hero Odysseus as he travels home from the Trojan War. Similarly, McCandless' journey into the Alaskan wilderness is an epic adventure, full of danger and discovery, as he tests his limits and explores the natural world.
The phrase "in the fullest sense of the word" emphasizes the profound and all-encompassing nature of McCandless' journey. It suggests that the
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He was intensely private but could be convivial and gregarious in the extreme. And despite his overdeveloped social conscience, he was no tight-lipped, perpetually grim do-gooder who frowned on fun”(115 from Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild" is an excellent example of the author's skillful use of tone, word choice, and writing style to capture the reader's interest and convey a complex characterization of the book's protagonist. The tone of the passage is curious and contemplative, as the author is attempting to reconcile seemingly contradictory aspects of McCandless's personality. The use of the word "puzzling" conveys a sense of intrigue and mystery, as if the author is uncovering a complex puzzle. The phrase "convivial and gregarious in the extreme" suggests that McCandless had a capacity for socializing, while the phrase "intensely private" highlights his tendency to withdraw from social interaction. The use of these contrasting phrases adds depth to McCandless's character, making him a more complex and multifaceted