The Strange And Curious Tale Of The Last True Hermit By Michael Finkel

The Base of Identity Identity is what makes humans different. It is the choice we have to construct our personal recognition; things that set us apart clothes, music, and hair just some examples of many. It is a loose shape for what humans are; an always changing shape for how you present yourself. This shape or every human's identity is ultimately constructed through their actions, values, and belief; The base of every person’s drawing. The importance of actions, values, and beliefs is explored deeply throughout the texts Into The wild, “The Strange and Curious Tale of The Last True Hermit”, and “Nature”.

In the book Into The Wild Jon Krakauer's identity is shaped throughout the actions Chris ¨Alex” McCandless takes. In the book, every

In the article, Finkel focuses on the “Last True Hermit” a man who lived in the woods of Central Main and had zero contact with humans. Finkel goes into detail about “The Last True Hermits” actions and explains what it means to be a hermit (Finkel). As described by Marrien Webster a hermit is “one that retires from society and lives in solitude, especially for religious reasons”, the definition of a Hermit directly demonstrates how people create identities for themselves through their actions. As described they create the identity of being a Hermit through the direct action of living in solitude. The definition also exemplifies the relationship between actions and beliefs as it connects the belief/value of religion to the action of solitude. Although, “The Last True Hermit” didn’t leave society for a religious reason he still possessed a core set of values and beliefs. One example is “I didn’t want to steal”, demonstrating a core belief for him. The belief that it was worth stealing other people’s food, propane tanks, and clothes so that he could live a life of the grid within the forest. “The Last True Hermit” ended up being arrested for a series of more than a thousand break-ins to local homes (Finkel). This action exemplifies his belief that his life of being a hermit was worth stealing and breaking the law for.

One point stressed, “I’m a lover of uncontained and immortal beauty” (Emerson 206). This exhibits a core belief of the club that demonstrates and represents their identity. Along with this it also emphasizes the connection between beliefs and identity as is represents their belief of loving nature as part of their identity. Later in the text, “I become a transparent eyeball; I am nothing; I seel all” (Emerson 206). This presents another belief of the club that connects back to the identity created. The action of creating the “Nature” text also represents how people construct their identity. It shows how the Transidential Club worked as a group to create a joint identity through a core set of beliefs and values. This example of a club finding their identity represents a parallel to how all humans construct their identity. Confirming that humans use their actions, values, and beliefs to construct a base for