Why Is Chris Mccandless A Hero

Chris had a very interesting way of thinking but one of the most interesting things is that he wouldn’t take anything from anyone. His parents try to be him a car yet he doesn’t want it, the last man who sees him says he’s ill equipped and that if chris comes into town with him he’ll buy him some proper gear. It adds to his actions of minimalism, the trip to Mexico really reaffirmed his minimalistic values (Krakauer Pg. 4-7, 20-21, 32-34). Chris had a sort of hatred for the way society was set up, he felt as though he was misunderstood. That the government wouldn’t help the poor and countless other reasons, he saw that the only way to escape was through nature. However, it seems a though Chris came off that high for a little while as though ready to be reintroduced to society and then remembered why he had left. At a point Chris gets a job at McDonalds where he gives them his really information almost as if he is ready to rejoin society. However after working there for 2 months he could no longer handle the way they treated him, he realized why he’d left and went on his way again(Krakauer Pg. 40-47). His favorite author was Jack London, London painted a picture of an amazing wild Alaska that was graceful yet harsh. As if it was a place from where people could escape to solidarity and enjoy the loneliness of nature. He didn’t however express all the dangers that happen and that this graceful land had a nasty dark side, almost like a politician. Chris took all the embellishing to heart and thought that all the wonder existed without any of the danger. The only example needed is his death, the blindness that bliss brings is simply all powerful. He was simply in love with the make believe world that existed solely in Jack London's mind. His beliefs and values were a cornerstone in making Alexander super tramp who he really

Chris was a very stubborn individual and never wanted to compromise his morals to please others. Chris never listened to suggestions or advisement of others as he was on his journey. His incompetence and inability to take other people’s advisement into account was ultimately was caused his death. Gallien tried to warn McCandless of the rough conditions by telling him “the hunting wasn’t easy where he was going, that he could go days without killing any game” (Krakauer 5). Gallien is just one example of someone who tried to help McCandless realize that living alone in Alaska would be very gueling, but McCandless assumed that if he could survive for a month in the Gulf of California, he would also be able to thrive in Alaska. Of course Chris ignored Galliens advice and did things his own way because he’s stubborn. One of Chris’ flaws was that he had very strong opinions that were so different from the rest of society and was fiercely independent. Chris’ beliefs and points of view led to him going into the wild without anyone aware of his whereabouts. Chris never wanted help from anyone and he expressed this when he said, “I won’t run into anything I can’t deal with on my own”(Krakauer 6). Chris also “hadn’t spoken to his family in nearly two years”(Krakauer 6). Both of these quotes emphasize the fact that he felt the need to be utterly alone. If Chris had told someone his real name and his desired destination then he wouldn’t have died alone in Alaska. Chris would’ve been better off if he had listened to the advice he was given and if he had told people about his whereabouts.

His determination requires a great amount of bravery that was admirable to many people he encounters on his journey. Clearly, McCandless’s actions along the way prove how courageous he is.​

Chris made an “indelible impression” on most of the people he met “during the course of his [wild adventure]” and his death affected them greatly (Krakauer 48). One

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.

While in these different states he met people along the way that got close to him and wanted to help him on his journey. He believed in self reliance and self trust so whenever people offered him anything he wouldn’t take them. (Krakauer 33). After an extended argument Burress also got McCandless to accept some long underwear and other warm clothing she thought he would need in Alaska. “He eventually took it to shut me up.” said Burres. “But the day after I found most of it in the van.” It is quite obvious that Chris did not want to help of others or rather even hated it. (Krakauer 33). As the novel states Chris “Acted really offended when Burres offered him supplies.” Chris hated when he was offered help most likely because he wanted to be able to prove something that he could do this odessey without anyone’s help. He left the people that he met with the impression that he didn’t want their help although he liked their company. As well as the fact that he was determined to accomplish his goals by all means necessary.

In 1992, when Chris McCandless abandoned modern society and fled to Alaska to find himself and, in the long run, lose his life, Americans from all over saw his death as a tragic downfall, and his story as a relatable and moving tale of a young man simply trying to make a difference. On the other hand, others looked at his journey to be an inevitable suicide-trip, considering his lack of supplies and overall experience. However, despite the fact that he was unprepared, McCandless, because of his ideas and motivation for a better world, was justified in shunning society in order to pursue his dream life on the Alaskan frontier.

For him, spending a year or two in the Alaskan wilderness was his way of doing that. In my opinion, Chris had every right to go into the Alaskan wilderness and Shaun Callarman had no business questioning Chris’ right to do so. Shaun Callarman talks about romantic silliness. “...going into Alaska with his romantic silliness” (Krakauer, 1997) At what point was Chris trying to be romantic? He was just trying to find himself and escape the life that brought him so much pain. He wasn’t on some grand quest for some romantic journey.

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.

Once deciding that he would not bring all the required equipment, it took many people scolding him before he even considered letting other people assist him. McCandless set out on the journey alone, and wanted to prove to himself that he could in fact make it alone in the wilderness. This is one of Chris’ critical faults. Too proud to admit defeat, Chris only lets others help him when in dire circumstances, eventually accepting clothes and other supplies from friends. At the end of his life, a very gaunt Chris finds it increasingly difficult to find game and records how butchering is “extremely difficult” (166). If Chris was adequately prepared for his trip, he would have taken th steps to learn these skills, and may not have resorted to the seeds that killed him. Another crucial mistake made by McCandless was not accounting for when he would not be able to get game. He went into the wild with a small bag of rice and the “heaviest item in his half-full backpack was his library” (162). While it is extremely difficult to read the last chapter of the book without feeling compassion and admiration for Chris, his death could have easily been prevented. His complacency towards “the Wild, the savage, frozen-hearted Northland Wild” proved to be his biggest mistake (9).

First off the impact chris had was bigger than Adam’s impact. Throughout Mccandless’s journey to alaska he impacted others that he met. Chris met a couple named Jan Burres and Bo and helped them out with their relationship problems. Soon after he impacted their lives because he made it better for them. Chris had a major impact on a old man named Ronald Franz. When Hitchhiking into town Mccandless met Ronald. He stayed with Ronald for a little to get to know him. Ronald is a retired army veteran who had a drinking problem. Ronald taught Mccandless about leather working. Mccandless and Ronald got really close. Mccandless left but came back soon after and had a meal with Ronald. Ronald then old mccandless about his son's death and that he was the last of his family's generation. Ronald didn’t want that ,so he told Mccandless if he could adopt him while tearing up.

Chris Mccandless thought about life very deeply and lived by standards set in many of

There had never been and there would never be someone exactly like Chris McCandless. Chris has a middle class background and stands out from his peers because he believes that society restrains his independence. He leaves his past life and wanders America heading toward the lonely Alaskan wilderness to find who he really is. He discovers ways of moving to Alaska despite leaving behind all of his possessions and social status. Chris’s sincerity and integrity earn the respect of the people he meets. He inspires people leave behind their old life and explore the country by documenting his experiences. Chris loves to challenge himself and after succeeding academically he finds purpose through self deprivation. Chris chooses Alaska because its'

     During Chris’s journey he never really opens up to anyone about his family. He doesn’t really show any affection towards them and if any it would be toward his sister Carnie. He writes in a letter to her stating that he is going to divorce his parents. The last time his parents saw him was after his graduation. Chris told his parents “ I think I’m going to disappear for a while” and that is the last they ever heard of him again.

Another way is because the author wanted his novel to describe the life of Chris in a unique way without him feeling judged from the mistakes he did while on his journey in Alaska, because he’s life did end in tragedy.