Essay On Into The Wild Transcendentalism

Henry Thoreau loved the simplicity of living in the wilderness, just as much as McCandless did, however he loved just to stay put. Thoreau wanted to uncage himself from the outside world and the interferences it had with him living a “full” life. Thoreau thought

Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that has major themes of nature and spirituality while going against society and materialistic things. Christopher McCandless is a Transcendentalist in every sense of the word. The young adventurer, who is the main character in Jon Krakauer's nonfiction text Into the Wild, travels throughout North America, following three main Transcendentalist ideals: the disconnection of society, a minimalist lifestyle, and a reverence for both God and nature.

The universe is wide and no man needs to be tied down, Thoreau, believes. He advocates exploration, however, not of distant lands, but of the lands within, urging men to open pathways within them to new thoughts. Using tone, theme and metaphor for the mysterious and powerful life within a man, Thoreau both criticizes the civilized man's penchant for traveling and encourages men to explore solitude in nature as a pathway to a greater spiritual

During these days, we often imagine that if we do not fit into the society, we are left out. The lyrics of “Subdivision” by Rush shows if we do not conform to others, we might be cast out(Sub-division). We often think that having an articulate mind with many thoughts is having a high social status. However, there are certain values in our lives and our beliefs which we should appreciate as the man and nature are all connected which now is a belief referred as the “Transcendentalism”. Although Transcendentalism is a broad topic, the motif following the instincts and living under simplicity drew my attention. Transcendentalism was one of the major turning points of American literary revolutions and can play a huge role in the 21st century of

The transcendentalist philosopher Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “Most men even in this comparatively free country, through mere ignorance and mistake, are so occupied with the facetious cares and superfluously coarse labors of life that its finer fruits cannot be plucked by them.” Thoreau advocated simplifying life and the benefits of living in isolation from society in the wilderness to “suck the marrow out of life”. In the non-fiction book titled Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, the young man Chris McCandless’ story is told. McCandless traveled to Alaska to experience the most extreme transcendentalist existence foretold by Thoreau. While in Alaska he meet his end, and many historians contemplate why he took this tremendous undertaking to

Transcendentalism, or the belief that there is a direct connection between a man’s individual soul and nature, was a very avant-garde movement throughout its peak; although now, American society continues to grow increasingly distant from it. These ideals are reflected in the works of Henry David Thoreau and Jon Krakauer, as well as the life of Chris McCandless. Throughout Thoreau’s novel Walden he distinctly preaches the belief that in society, men have become more focused on work and material possessions than life’s simple pleasures and freedoms. In the same manner, Krakauer and McCandless both draw inspiration from Thoreau, and ultimately share spiritual experiences throughout their adventures, both seeking to find life’s true purpose. Although many will argue that transcendental ideas and culture are outdated and have no place in today’s humanity, transcendentalism itself, and the ideals possessed by Henry David Thoreau and Chris McCandless have played a major role in American society, in that they appeal to the spiritual side of every man, which accredits to the belief that only life’s bare necessities are required in order to live a fulfilled life. However, it is unfeasible to live a transcendental lifestyle in today’s insatiable, consumerist society.

Moving out into the the woods and off the grid isn’t for everyone. For a few families, this is a way of life. This lifestyle showcases many beliefs of transcendentalism, many that are still abundantly present in society today. Transcendentalism is shown in the way people live and in the television shows like “The Boonies”. In “The Boonies”, transcendentalism appears in the ideas of Idealism/Individualism and in Nature.

“Transcendentalism […] has primarily much the position of the sun […] We are conscious of it as of a kind of splendid confusion […] But the circle of the moon is as clear and unmistakable, as recurrent and inevitable, as the circle of Euclid on a blackboard” (Chesterton, 24). These words encapsulate the driving rationale of the anti-transcendentalist argument – that although individuals seek transcendentalism, they can never truly realize it, or, to compare with the sun, see it. Rather, they inevitably place attention on the “moon,” the perspicuous reflection of transcendentalism – that is, individualism – and neglect the responsibilities of society. Emerson institutes the philosophy of transcendentalism in his essay, Nature, teaching that divinity pervades all nature and humanity. Although transcendentalists would offer that man can only better his spiritual life by embracing individualism, pursuing the ideal, and being one with nature, the ability and appeal of transcendentalism to advance enlightenment upon the soul of the individual rests on the false suppositions that feckless man can achieve perfection and that nature embodies God, thus causing transcendentalism to conversely detriment the spiritual life of the individual, isolating him, prescribing his rebellion, and invigorating his selfish pursuits, simply because he confides his soul in creation instead of the Creator (Tocqueville, 482).

Both Chris McCandless and Henry David Thoreau explore the idea of authentic living and simplicity, throughout both texts they portray their ideas to the audience. The film Into the WIld largely encaptures the ideas of Henry David Thoreau, sometimes by quoting him, especially his extremely famous piece Where I Lived and What I Lived For. It is very obvious to the audience that Chris is a fan of Thoreau’s writing and he connects to it greatly. Chris is able to portray to the audience that he has the same ideas as Thoreau by talking about his writing occasionally. He explains simplicity to the people he is close with in order to help them understand why he believes that simplistic living is so important and beneficial. The ideas that

Living fully but simply is the key to life in a transcendentalist point of view. Transcendentalism is focused around nature and the beauty of the world rather than the horrible insights of society and the government. Chris McCandless in the movie, Into The Wild, goes on an adventure with a mindset like a Transcendentalist and seek happiness in nature. Chris is on the way to Alaska to hide away from society and the government by trying to live by himself in the forest with little supplies. McCandless gets some ideas right about Transcendentalism but also gets ideas wrong which leads to his ultimate demise.

Chris McCandless used many transcendentalist keys throughout his life, such as non-conformity, the importance of self-expression, and self-reliance. Throughout the book Into the Wild, McCandless uses these keys as if his life depended on it. These keys have shaped many lives, including: Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and more. While McCandless used all of the transcendentalism keys throughout Into the Wild, he used non-conformity the most.

The book Into the Wild highlights the adventures of Chris McCandless, and grants you a look at the trail that lead McCandless into the woods and why he did not return. Throughout the book McCandless’ actions were the embodiment of transcendentalistic values some 160 years after the the movement came to prevelence. McCandless embodied the keys of non-conformity, self-expression, and reducing dependence on property. These are just a few of the keys that can be found in his life.

In detail,One day a Boy named Louie Zamperini had problems but with help or advice from his brother and he said “If you can take, it you can make it”(Hillenbrand). This statement went with everything he has done throughout his life. Louie took this advice and he won at the olympics and then world war 11 was happening and louie decide to join and then he was captured and was now a prisoner of war. He just kept that advice with him and he survived after all that he said there were a lot of times he want to die but he didn't and followed the advice his brother gave him. While reading this book Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer their was one person that is just like louie is chris mcCandless because chris early on shows he can take on when challenges him and proves it to himself. To sum up,Chris McCandless follows the transcendentalism life because chris went independently on his own,He rebels against his own parents, Chris shows he follows what he loves to do or wants to do.

Many times in my life, I have wanted to be alone: whether it be in my bedroom, relaxing in my backyard, or watching Netflix. During this personal time, I can decompress following a rough or stressful day. At times, I envy people like the Transcendentalists who always strive to be alone with their own thoughts. The more they focus on their own opinions the more they believe in them. Moreover, Ralph Waldo Emerson states “To go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society. I am not solitary whilst I read and write, though nobody is with me” (Emerson). A true Transcendentalists does not hide away with literature or Netflix, instead, they have no outside forces influencing their true thoughts. Contradicting ideas, in

Thoreau wished to open the minds of many revealing the importance of nature “Let us spend one day as deliberately as Nature, and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell and mosquito's wing that falls on the rails” (Thoreau II). In the quote, Thoreau discusses how he learned to live deliberately in nature encouraging other members of society to do the same. He has learned that it can lead to harmonization with oneself, to