Colter's Way
Interpretive Questions
1.) Why does Junger end with the story he calls “my own version of Colter’s run”? (p. 182)
Junger ends the story with what he calls “my own version of Colter’s run” (p. 182) because he is showing how he relates himself to Colter by explaining the similarities and differences between Colter. He wanted to show that anyone could relate to these stories.
2.) What does Junger mean when he says he has only been in one situation “where everything depended on me”? (p. 182)
When Junger says he has only been in one situation “where everything depended on me” (p. 182) because if that man had caught them he would have had to sell out all of his friends. If Junger had been caught he would have gotten in trouble and the man could've called the police, who would be searching for Junger's friends, their secret relied on him.
3.) Why does Junger say, “I was on my own. Adventura – what must happen will happen”? (p. 183)
Junger says “I was on my own. Adventura – what must happen will happen”(p. 183) because he wanted to inform you that he was about to have an experience that could go one way or another. He knew that he had to make the decision to make this something great. He means that he will not give up and see where this path takes him.
4.) After the chase, why does Junger feel he had come back to “a world of tremendous frivolity and innocence”? (p. 184)
After the chase Junger feels that he had come back to “a world of tremendous frivolity and innocence” (p. 184) because he just came back from getting out of trouble and walked into a place where people are coming in in their coats, laughing and having a regular day in the snow. There is no danger in this reality.
5.) Why does Junger think, “I’ve just come back from some other places these people don’t even know exists”? (p. 184)
Junger thinks that “I’ve just come back from some other places these people don’t even know exists” (p. 184) because he knows something about what happened that no one else knows. He felt like he has been somewhere that no one will ever get to go because it was a moment only he and the man experienced.
6.) Why does Junger see putting yourself in a situation where no one is going to save you as “the oldest game in the world – and perhaps the most compelling”? (p. 182)
Junger sees putting yourself in a situation where no one is going to save you as “the oldest game in the world – and perhaps the most compelling” (p. 182) because this is how people in the older times lived, with the hunter and the hunted, and no one around to help you.
7.) Why does Junger say that “danger ceases to be interesting as soon as you have no choice in the matter”? (p. 180-181)
Junger says that “danger ceases to be interesting as soon as you have no choice in the matter”? (p. 180-181) because if you cannot participate in having the pressure of making a decision in a life or death situation, you have no part in the rush afterward.
8.) Why does Junger says that “threats to our safety and comfort have been so completely wiped out that we have to go out of our way to create them? (p. 181)
Junger says that “threats to our safety and comfort have been so completely wiped out that we have to go out of our way to create them." (p. 181) because he thinks that the world has become so protected that there are no ways for anyone to have a thrilling, life threatening experience, without having to make one by themselves.
9.) Why does Junger says a roughneck or firefighter may die a heroic death, but Dan Osman did not?
Junger says that a "roughneck" or "firefighter" may "died a heroic death" (p.182) but Don Osman did not because firefighters and roughnecks are doing something for the good of people and deserve a heroic death. However, risking your own life for no reason does not make anyone think of you of heroic.
10.) Why does Junger think that Osman’s free-soloing was “unspeakably brave”? (p. 182)
Junger thinks that Osman's free soloing was “unspeakably brave” (p. 182) because he had risked his life for the enjoyment of doing so, not to help anyone, but for himself. However, Junger did not see his life risking stunts as anything more that brave.
Junger ends the story with what he calls “my own version of Colter’s run” (p. 182) because he is showing how he relates himself to Colter by explaining the similarities and differences between Colter. He wanted to show that anyone could relate to these stories.
2.) What does Junger mean when he says he has only been in one situation “where everything depended on me”? (p. 182)
When Junger says he has only been in one situation “where everything depended on me” (p. 182) because if that man had caught them he would have had to sell out all of his friends. If Junger had been caught he would have gotten in trouble and the man could've called the police, who would be searching for Junger's friends, their secret relied on him.
3.) Why does Junger say, “I was on my own. Adventura – what must happen will happen”? (p. 183)
Junger says “I was on my own. Adventura – what must happen will happen”(p. 183) because he wanted to inform you that he was about to have an experience that could go one way or another. He knew that he had to make the decision to make this something great. He means that he will not give up and see where this path takes him.
4.) After the chase, why does Junger feel he had come back to “a world of tremendous frivolity and innocence”? (p. 184)
After the chase Junger feels that he had come back to “a world of tremendous frivolity and innocence” (p. 184) because he just came back from getting out of trouble and walked into a place where people are coming in in their coats, laughing and having a regular day in the snow. There is no danger in this reality.
5.) Why does Junger think, “I’ve just come back from some other places these people don’t even know exists”? (p. 184)
Junger thinks that “I’ve just come back from some other places these people don’t even know exists” (p. 184) because he knows something about what happened that no one else knows. He felt like he has been somewhere that no one will ever get to go because it was a moment only he and the man experienced.
6.) Why does Junger see putting yourself in a situation where no one is going to save you as “the oldest game in the world – and perhaps the most compelling”? (p. 182)
Junger sees putting yourself in a situation where no one is going to save you as “the oldest game in the world – and perhaps the most compelling” (p. 182) because this is how people in the older times lived, with the hunter and the hunted, and no one around to help you.
7.) Why does Junger say that “danger ceases to be interesting as soon as you have no choice in the matter”? (p. 180-181)
Junger says that “danger ceases to be interesting as soon as you have no choice in the matter”? (p. 180-181) because if you cannot participate in having the pressure of making a decision in a life or death situation, you have no part in the rush afterward.
8.) Why does Junger says that “threats to our safety and comfort have been so completely wiped out that we have to go out of our way to create them? (p. 181)
Junger says that “threats to our safety and comfort have been so completely wiped out that we have to go out of our way to create them." (p. 181) because he thinks that the world has become so protected that there are no ways for anyone to have a thrilling, life threatening experience, without having to make one by themselves.
9.) Why does Junger says a roughneck or firefighter may die a heroic death, but Dan Osman did not?
Junger says that a "roughneck" or "firefighter" may "died a heroic death" (p.182) but Don Osman did not because firefighters and roughnecks are doing something for the good of people and deserve a heroic death. However, risking your own life for no reason does not make anyone think of you of heroic.
10.) Why does Junger think that Osman’s free-soloing was “unspeakably brave”? (p. 182)
Junger thinks that Osman's free soloing was “unspeakably brave” (p. 182) because he had risked his life for the enjoyment of doing so, not to help anyone, but for himself. However, Junger did not see his life risking stunts as anything more that brave.
Vocabulary
1.) Implacably (p. 177)
Quote: "...Blackfeet had been implacably hostile..." (p.177)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): something that is not able to be placated or made calm
Synonym: irate
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The teacher implacably continued to rant about the student's behavior.
2.) Trajectory (p. 179)
Quote: "Given the trajectory of Colter's life..." (p.179)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): the path following a moving thing
Synonym: trail, path
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): We planned to adjust the trajectory and land dead center.
3.) Stint (p. 180)
Quote: "...and would volunteer for one more stint in hell." (p.180)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): a small amount
Synonym: ungenerous, stingy
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): I'd hate to look like I gave a stint offering in church, so I make myself give ten dollars a week.
4.) Stymied (p. 181)
Quote: "...cliffs that had stymied some of the best climbers..." (p.181)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): to stop or slow a process
Synonym: prevent, hinder
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The force of the earthquake stymied the children from getting under the table.
5.) Ludicrous (p. 182)
Quote: "It's a ludicrous comparison..." (p.182)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): something out of place that seems silly
Synonym: foolish, silly
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): His idea was a ludicrous suggestion.
6.) Intervene (p. 183)
Quote: "...there was no one around to intervene." (p.183)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): to stop or interfere something from happening
Synonym: interfere, stop
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Noticing the pick pocket at large, the man decided to intervene and stop him before he stole a woman's wallet.
7.) Frivolity (p. 184)
Quote: "...a world of tremendous frivolity and innocence." (p.184)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): having a lack of seriousness
Synonym: silly, careless
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The students frivolity left the classroom, knowing that since the bell rang, the teacher couldn't stop them.
Quote: "...Blackfeet had been implacably hostile..." (p.177)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): something that is not able to be placated or made calm
Synonym: irate
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The teacher implacably continued to rant about the student's behavior.
2.) Trajectory (p. 179)
Quote: "Given the trajectory of Colter's life..." (p.179)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): the path following a moving thing
Synonym: trail, path
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): We planned to adjust the trajectory and land dead center.
3.) Stint (p. 180)
Quote: "...and would volunteer for one more stint in hell." (p.180)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): a small amount
Synonym: ungenerous, stingy
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): I'd hate to look like I gave a stint offering in church, so I make myself give ten dollars a week.
4.) Stymied (p. 181)
Quote: "...cliffs that had stymied some of the best climbers..." (p.181)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): to stop or slow a process
Synonym: prevent, hinder
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The force of the earthquake stymied the children from getting under the table.
5.) Ludicrous (p. 182)
Quote: "It's a ludicrous comparison..." (p.182)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): something out of place that seems silly
Synonym: foolish, silly
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): His idea was a ludicrous suggestion.
6.) Intervene (p. 183)
Quote: "...there was no one around to intervene." (p.183)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): to stop or interfere something from happening
Synonym: interfere, stop
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Noticing the pick pocket at large, the man decided to intervene and stop him before he stole a woman's wallet.
7.) Frivolity (p. 184)
Quote: "...a world of tremendous frivolity and innocence." (p.184)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): having a lack of seriousness
Synonym: silly, careless
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): The students frivolity left the classroom, knowing that since the bell rang, the teacher couldn't stop them.