Into The Wild: Chris Mccandless

One thing he said was “But I believe we were similarly affected by the skewed relationships we had with our fathers. And I suspect we had a similar intensity, a similar heedlessness, a similar agitation of the soul.” Him and Chris had similar experiences with their harsh fathers, they also shared the same hatred of conformity and society. Krakauer really does understand McCandless better than anyone else could because of all these things. You may not believe that Chris was courageous or intellectual, but it’s hard to deny the relationship between him and Krakauer.

Chris McCandless was possessed by a nomadic existence and was trying to share his principle of life to his friend by telling that the truth about life was to explore the nature. Chris McCandless's last letter to Wayne revealed his true passion of nature. "This is the last you shall hear from me...I now walk into the wild"(pg 69). Some people concluded that it was Chris McCandless's suicide letter. However, in my opinion, Chris McCandless was just a victim of his own ego, pride and confidence that made him to neglect basic precautions that keep one person alive. He was controlled by his own delusions and that made him eager to test himself into strenuousness which proved fatal to him.

Christopher Johnson McCandless is a respectable man in so many ways but, yet such a foolish man in many others. Chris McCandless possessed a seemingly ever-lasting bravery that constantly shined through his unique and matchless character. He was very righteous in himself to the point in which he kept himself from any sin or evil, committing his life to what seemed like an idea of celibacy, not just in refraining from any desire of flesh but also in all lusts of life with his diligent power of will that constantly shined through his exterior. Onto the contrary of his good characteristics, McCandless remained to be very foolish in his decisions and under takings, whether it be by his arrogance of sheer narrow mindedness.

Chris was independent and the fact that he went out and was able to support himself was courageous. His bosses claim that he was “the hardest worker they have ever seen” and enjoyed his determination to get the job not only done, but done right. “In a matter of a few months, half a dozen other students were working under him, and he’d put seven thousand dollars in his bank account...he used it to buy the yellow datsun.” (Krakauer, 116). McCandless worked hard, and he appreciated being able to do things for himself. This explains the reason why he went out on his own and didn’t tell anyone or let anyone help him. It wasn’t that he was stubborn or ungrateful, he truly loved being independent and he valued the luxuries he was able to provide for himself. Chris McCandless was hardworking and determined, which is inspiring because he was able to accomplish the goals and dreams he set his mind on.

Jon Krakauer’s novel, Into the Wild, is telling the story of a young adventurer named Christopher McCandless. His disturbing past led him into the wild away from society. Although, his desire to abandon society led to his death. In Into the Wild , Jon Krakauer characterizes Christopher McCandless as a rebel and wonderlust.

Even with all of these set backs and characteristics behind Chris McCandless, Chris still went on a life changing odyssey that which is inferred that he enjoyed very much so. On page one hundred thirty six.

Most people go into the wilderness to go camping for a week or less and then leave. Some people stay for more than a week. Chris McCandless was in the wild for at least one hundred days.“ I’ve decided to live this life for some time to come. The freedom and the beauty of it is too good to pass up.”(pg.92) He went into the wilderness to experience adventure and to find things he was searching for nature, the path to happiness and freedom. Chris’ determination, self will, pursuit of happiness and the urge to break free are all explored. He did everything he could to make so people would be able to find him. Changing his name to Alex Supertramp, eliminating everything

After reading the book "Into the wild" it was pretty amazing and the way Mcacandless got to live with life the way you wanted and got to explore different things was amazing to read. McCandless is a very outgoing, smart, funny kid who loves to explore and travel on his own and didn't depend on anyone. He lived who's life with freedom.

Initially, Chris willingly renounced his financially comfortable background because of his characterization of being a nonconformist. McCandless believed that it was possible for an individual to acquire too much money and could be a result of unearned privilege which is why “he donated the balance of his bank account to OXFAM” (Into the Wild) and later began to earn his money from labor that he would perform on the job. The actions McCandless made in his life were both equally irregular and bold due to his determination to challenge everything that he has known which instigates to a heroic persona. Furthering what was last stated, a limited amount of individuals have neither the resourcefulness nor initiative to abandon the conformity of their simple lifestyle no matter how imperfect it may be due their uncertainty of what could potentially arise from completely shifting their

Chris McCandless as depicted in the book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer and in the movie of the same name by Sean Penn, was not ignorant and he did have common sense. He had every reason to go into the Alaskan wilderness and to say he had no common sense is ridiculous. He was definitely not crazy and his courage and noble ideas should be admired. He was a man that followed his dreams and did something that most of us wish we had the guts to do. What Chris McCandless A.K.A Alexander Supertramp did, was admirable and worthy of respect.

Not only did Chris McCandless sacrifice so much for the future that he wanted, but he remained focus on his goal and he never ever regretted a minute of it. Even close to his death he was always smiling in the pictures he took and he never looked for a way out. He came into the wild and learned to be one with it. He respected it and learned from it all while staying at his peak of happiness. Chris McCandless’ did not necessarily have a bad life, but it was clear that he was not always happy. When he was truly happiest, he was alone. His disapproval of modern day society is evident throughout the book; “I told him ‘Man, you gotta have money to get along in this world’ but he wouldn’t take it” (46). He realized he needed to be separated from these people and live on his own. He decided to change his course for the future into an isolated lifestyle all without notice to the people that loved him. He was set up for a great life, but he ended it all to follow his dreams and fulfill his purpose. Not

If you attempted to talk him out of something, he wouldn’t argue. He would just nod politely and then do exactly what he wanted” (Krakauer 182). Chris did exactly as Carine stated he would when someone tried to stop his trip to Alaska. Chris understood what the trip to Alaska would entail but decided to continue anyway. He was confident in his abilities and constantly felt the need to challenge those abilities. According to Jon Krakauer, “He had a need to test himself in ways, as he was fond of saying ‘that mattered’. He possessed grand- some would say grandiose- spiritual ambitions” (Krakauer 182). Although Chris’s ambition is surely admirable it also could be credited as his tragic flaw. Chris strived for perfection in everything he set his mind to. He refused to listen to individuals who were trying to help him when saying he was ill prepared; instead he ignored their efforts and went into the wild. Chris’s unpreparedness could later be identified as the cause of his death but in his mind, his supporters would like to believe, it did not matter. Chris died doing what he loved, living in isolation with nature being his only companion.

This is one reason why he decided to leave home; he wanted to experience the life of not having anything to his name, this is also shown through out the book during his journeys, however this not the only reason why he left home. The ultimate reason why he left home was because of what his father had done. A cab driver name Stuckey whom helped McCandless reach Alaska elaborated that McCandless said that he found out that his father was living a bigamist life and that it went against Chris’s beliefs (159). This was ultimately one of the reasons why Chris left home and had no feelings towards his parents. This exhibits the hatred and no remorseful attitude McCandless had through out the book towards his parents, especially his father. However, this attitude towards his father and civilization is justified completely when he decided to leave home and take on the wilderness.

It has been very perplexing reading this novel and trying to truly understand the motives one would have to have to make the decisions McCandless made. I am questioning Chris’ motives for cutting ties with his family and travelling all around the country. I think that he truly had a deep love and spiritual connection with nature. It began as a young child when Walt McCandless (Chris’ father) took Chris on many excursions in the outdoors, such as hiking in the mountains. Chris immediately fell in love with nature and all of the pleasures it had to offer. Also, Chris was motivated by his withering relationship with his family. Early in his life his parents worked tirelessly and it was difficult for Chris to spend time and build a solid relationship with them. Throughout his young life he had disagreed with his parents about many aspects of life. It was said that he

When people think of a tragic hero they picture a hero like Hercules that died in a devastating way. It turns out that a tragic hero is actually someone who has a judgement error or a flaw that fuses with fate to create a tragedy. A tragic hero is more like Shakespeare’s Romeo, he is defined as a tragic hero because of his nobility, his actions and fate that led him to a tragic death. “Into the Wild” by John Krakauer proves that Chris McCandless was a tragic hero. Chris was a tragic hero because of his hubris, good character, high stature, error of judgement, he was his own nemesis, and the pity he got from the audience.