Hi,
I'm doing Tracks and Into the Wild for comparative this year. However, I am quite concerned with answering essay topics, particularly after my english teacher noted in the comments after my comparative SAC that I 'needed to respond the the topic more fully'. I haven't gotten the sac back yet.
The topic that I chose for my essay was on identity, and it was something like this (but can't remember the two quotes exactly):
'Compare how both Tracks and Into the Wild explore the construction of identity'I don't know what I did wrong, but I remember my ideas being something like this:
1.) Both texts suggests that the need to abandon societal conventions and expectations and seek an existence in the natural world is necessary for the development of one's true identity as they able to seek a freedom unrestrained by other's expectations. Here I talked about how Robyn abandons the identity being imposed onto her by Western society, escaping materialistic world and finding a sense of belonging in the natural world. I said pretty much the same thing for Chris.
2.) Both texts suggest that identity is more than simply belonging, but developing a sense of identity also comes from recognising one's weaknesses. Here I talked about the camel and moose scene - and how especially for Chris, his inability to kill the moose results in him to realise that his true identity within the natural world is not what he believes it to be.
3.) However, most importantly, both texts suggests that a sense of identity is mainly constructed from human relationships. Here I talked about importance of human relationships. Especially for Robyn, I talked about how her relationship with Mr Eddie allows her to truly find a sense of belonging in the Australian landscape and form an identity where 'the self becomes more like the desert.'
I know my ideas really aren't great, but the head of English at my school said that I needed to talk about things like Chris Mccandless creating his own alter ego of Alexander Supertramp, etc. Overall though, my teacher said that I have a 'sound understanding of the texts and an ability to analyse and how they convey ideas, issues and themes.' He also said that 'You made some relevant connections, but could have tackled the topic more consistently and directly throughout the response.'
I'm really confused right now
. Can someone (like literally lauren) or anyone doing Tracks and Into the Wild please help me? I don't want to fall into the same trap during the actual exam
.