We completed the written segment of the summer reading assignment during today's session. As we analyzed the thematic significance of the quotes that addressed cultural values, we noted that the movie essentially erased the novel's thematic core for the purpose of creating a more entertaining movie. I then discussed the distinction between reading for entertainment, a laudable pastime , and reading for meaning ,the goal of our academic studies. We then analyzed the quoted text portions that were the subject of the summer assignment , and I assisted Matthew in verbalizing his ideas. With this assistance ,he completed the assignment and formed a greater appreciation for the novel. I last introduced the syllabus for the upcoming quarter by relating the story of Christopher McCandless who abandoned his family ties, his car and all his money in order to adopt an alternative nomadic lifestyle ultimately resulting in his being discovered starved to death in Alaska weighing only 65 pounds. His story is the subject of a nonfiction book,"Into the Wild" which we will read after studying how the writings of Jack London, Leo Tolstoy, and Henry Thoreau influenced Christopher's tragic lifestyle choices. We will begin by studying Jack London's story"To Build a Fire" which I assigned for homework due on Monday.