Mccandless Dialectical Journal

Lastly, Chris Mccandless got to fulfill his dream, live his own life, and now he even got to find his inner self, find out who he truly is. Chris was the kind of person that lived dangerously unlike most people, he was different “It is hardly unusual for a young man to be drawn to a pursuit considered reckless by his elders...Danger has always held a certain allure. McCandless, in his fashion, merely took risk-taking to its logical extreme” (Krakauer, 182). Chris’s true self-was one that was riskful and daring until he could finish the task. Furthermore, he was different from others and throughout his journey, others could see that. In the end that was the kind of person Chris Mccandless was, and this is the person he became after fulfilling his dream and living his own life. In contrast, others did

While Chris McCandless does make mistakes, I would not agree with Shaun Callarman that he was “plain crazy”. The plans and mistakes made may seem idiotic, but are actually the mistakes that are found in the youth. I would say Chris was searching for his own self.

He took the things he needs with him and got rid of the rest. He lasted a hundred days in the wild, it takes at least twenty eight days to break an old habit. He told his friend Jan Burres where he was, and if he didn’t have common sense he wouldn’t do that. “ In September he hitched down U.S Highway 101 California, then headed east into the desert again. And by early October he had landed in Bullhead City, Arizona.” (pg.39) When Callarman says “ He has no common sense he has no business going to Alaska...” McCandless had every right to go to Alaska. He didn’t want his parents to know where he was going, because he was of age and he doesn’t have to everything by his parents. That's why he changed his name. He wanted to start over by going to Alaska and learning new things along the way. You learn from your mistakes, that's what makes us human. McCandless couldn’t live up to his father expectations anymore. He always saw his father as a liar because he was living a double life with another family. Yes, he did have every right to go to Alaska, a person can only take so much. When it get to a certain point, it drive someone to do something they will either regret or a great feeling. He found what he was looking for freedom and happiness. He was a brilliant person, he wrote things in his letters and journals that was really

Perhaps this trait was genetic, as Krakauer notes that “Both father and son were stubborn and high-strung (Krakauer, 64).” Although, it does seem that Chris was exceedingly stubborn beyond his father, as Walt recalls that “Chris had so much natural talent... but if you tried to coach him, to polish his skill, to bring out the final ten percent, a wall went up. He resisted any instruction of any kind (Krakauer, 111).” It becomes obvious that McCandless had an aversion to critique as he would never accept help him fine-tune his endeavors, he would ignore the guidance to figure it out himself. McCandless’ self-reliance made him demonize criticism to a point where it was exceedingly difficult to get through his thick head. Then, Walt reminisced, “Chris was good at almost everything he tried... If you attempted to talk him out of something, he wouldn’t argue. He’d just nod politely and then do exactly what he wanted (Krakauer, 118).” Both memories show Chris’ distaste for the suggestions and instruction of others in many aspects of his life only to do what he ultimately desired in the beginning. Chris was so stubborn that he refused to take well-intended advice. Not only was McCandless advert to advice, but rules. The only grade he received below an A was when he ignored the lab report format and wrote the reports how he wanted, resulting in a low grade on all his lab reports

Chris is a charismatic young man, but takes extensive measures to ensure he does not become too close with anyone. By going out into the wild without so much as a letter to his parents,

In conclusion, in my opinion I feel like McCandless would not have gone off if his relations with his parents were closer, and they would have stopped him from going. Also, if he wasn't so determined. McCandless was a young free man who wouldn't let anything get in the way of stopping him. Many of us may live to be 100, but did we live? McCandless died at the age of 24 and lived more than any of us will ever be able to say. And that is the true meaning of live. If we all read this book we can learn a

First off, I agree with the author, John Krakauer, that Christopher McCandless was not crazy. Chris was an intelligent and pensive man, who’s overthinking may have caused personal troubles. Westerberg reflected that, “he [Chris] read a lot. Used a lot of big words. I think maybe part of what got him into trouble was that he did too much thinking,” (18).

McCandless found out that his father maintained a relationship with his ex-wife and child while still in a relationship with Chris McCandless' mother. As Krakauer states, "Children can be harsh judges when it comes to their parents, disinclined to grant clemency and this was especially true in Chris's case" (122). Chris McCandless had a reason for his decision to distance himself from his family after having found out the corrupt lifestyle that he grew up under. For him to be put into a situation in which their sole caretaker and role model is turned out to be the opposite of what is their view in their eyes, it leaves a scar. Especially for Chris to see the corrupt values his father had while in comparison to his set of high moral standards, it was unforgivable. He may seem to be stubborn for being unforgiving to his father but it is expected for him to have hatred to his dad after his idealistic views are crushed. Chris's parents expected the best from him and pushed him to be the very best that he could by providing him with many opportunities yet his father was an authoritative parent. Chris McCandless lived with parents who pushed him to what they believed for him to be the most successful, against his own dreams. To be put in a situation where one's parents dictate one's every action and pursuits and to find out that their own parents are not perfect, creates a break

Chris was very intelligent receiving a degree from Emory University, graduating with a double major in history and anthropology. Chris had high honors and was on course to get into Harvard. After graduating he decided to move travel across the country and up into Alaska. Many people are stuck thinking he was not prepared for this journey but it is widely believed that “he was sufficiently skilled to last for sixteen weeks on little more than his wits and ten pounds of rice. And he was fully aware when he entered the bush that he had given himself do previously slim margin for error. He knew precisely what was at stake.” (182) Chris lasted a very long time with very little. He did what many people couldn't and that is to survive in

Many people have different opinions on McCandless’ journey. There are some that believe that he was inspiring and adventurous, while there were others that believed he was foolish and selfish. Personally, I believe McCandless did the journey due to a mental illness and family problems. According to the book, McCandless had difficulties getting along with his parents and just wanted to disappear from Carthage, South Dakota. In the book “Into the WIld”, Krakauer quotes McCandless saying,”I think I’m going to be disappearing for a while” (21). This is what McCandless told his parents about him going away after he graduates. Krakauer also listed the different letters that McCandless sent to his sister and parents. In his letter to his sister, Carine, McCandless

Chris’s desideratum was showed throughout the book through his actions/personal experiences. “And thus was he drawn north, to Alaska. McCandless assured both Westerberg and Borah that when his northern sojourn was over, he would return to South Dakota, at least for the fall. After that, it would depend” (Krakauer 66). “” (Krakauer #). Furthermore, Chris was a very interesting guy that did things that he wanted and needed to continue his journey which was his guided until his dead.

Having graduated high school and college, McCandless viewed the world as too materialistic and gave no importance to titles and honors. In addition to this, he felt quite distanced from his parents, especially his father. He wanted to prove to his family and to himself that he could be someone and do something significant; taking a trip into the wild was the best way he knew how. McCandless made a choice that ultimately led to his death in Alaska. Unlike Treadwell, he was not forced into the woods by his wants and needs. Had he chosen one of his many other options, he would almost certainly be better off. Because he was unhappy with society and its culture, McCandless might have tried moving abroad. Other continents have vastly different cultures than the United States and he may have appreciated a change in culture and scenery. Moving and succeeding in a new place would also demonstrate to everyone his ability to do something significant on his own. Instead of going on a reckless trip into Alaska fatally unprepared, McCandless could have saved his own life by considering and choosing another option. He could have accomplished everything he wanted to by just slightly altering a traditional life and avoiding drastic measures.

“Chris was a high achiever.” It is very common that the eldest child in dysfunctional family is all-around stud and Chris was no exception. He was an excellent student and served as a captain on his high school track team, eventually leading them to many championships. The oldest child often usurps the role of the parent when there is a lack of parenting. Krakauer points out that whenever Billie and Walt got into an argument, Chris would try to get Carine as far away as possible to protect her from the chaos. By sheltering Carine, Chris is essentially taking care of his sister like a parent would. Furthermore Chris did his best to hide the issues of his family and was characterized as charismatic among many that knew him. With the traits of the oldest child in a dysfunctional family in mind it is evident that Chris was raised in a dysfunctional family with an authoritarian parent as he exemplifies all the subsequent traits.

McCandless was not street smart or smart enough to survive in the wild. He had very little knowledge on how to do so, he had a book with him to see what type of plants he was able to eat, and ones he was not able to eat. McCandless should have at least got more knowledge about the wild and tried to practice some basic skills, before he went out into the wild. Having basic skills on how to survive in the wild would make me think differently about McCandless. There were various things McCandless could have done that would’ve changed his fate significantly.

The story of Chris McCandless has become a pop culture phenomenon. Many are fascinated by his desire to abandon his family and society and “walk into the wild” (Krakauer 69).  Newscasts, magazine articles, movies, and books have tried to define what motivated him to give up everything for his Alaskan odyssey; however, the answers died with McCandless. People make assumptions about him without knowing his entire story.  McCandless chose to do the unconventional, making people think he was either foolish or brave and determined, but ultimately he was selfish for doing what he did.