Why Is Chris Mccandless Insane

On the other hand, for those he did care about, he left a positive impact on their lives. Chris was raised in an environment where“...hideous domestic violence hidden behind a mask of prosperity and propriety” (Mcalpin). While some believe that going to Alaska was a way to take revenge on his parents, it is hard to imagine those actions taken by Chris who is someone independent and holds neoteric ideals. It is more presumable to suppose that Chris just wanted to cut off ties to those he thinks contravenes with his ideals and ambitions. On the other hand, for everyone he met on the journey, he built a positive relationship; he maintained those relationships up until his death, even telling Wayne, “‘Till then I’ll always think of you as a friend” (Krakauer 33). He consistently sent postcards and shared his current status and new thoughts to Ron, Wayne, and Jan Burres. In his long letter to Ron detailing his pilgrimage, he gave heartfelt thanks and sincere hopes to see him again, writing “Ron, I really enjoy all the help you have given me and the times that we spent together….But providing that I get through this Alaskan Deal in one piece you will be hearing from me again in the future” (Krakauer 56). What makes this letter so special is the fact that Chris

Chris McCandless was just a victim of his own obsession. The novel "Into The Wild" written by John Krakauer revealed the life of a young bright man named Chris McCandless who turned up dead in Alaska in summer 1992. In the novel, John Krakauer approached carefully McCandless's life without putting too much authorial judgment to the readers. Although Chris McCandless remained an elusive figure throughout the novel, I can see Chris McCandless as a dreamy young idealist who tries to follow his dream but failed because of his innocent mistake which prove to be fatal and irreversible. Still, Chris McCandless's courage and passion was something that we should all be proud of.

Throughout his life, Chris McCandless always sought out adventure on his own. After graduating college he decided to seek a life worth living. Leaving all of his family and money behind him. Some may argue that Chris McCandless went into the wild because he suffered from a mental illness, but the real reason he left everything was because he wished to find his true self, apart from the materialistic lifestyle that he was raised in. Although it may be true that he was a bit off to live so selfishly and not pay any mind to others, people should consider the many relationships he maintained along his journey because it shows a lot about his true character.

Another one of the reasons Chris left was to pursue a life of adventure. Chris liked the wilderness he probably thought that it was peaceful and a spiritual enlightenment just a quiet place to reflect on life and think or not think at all. Life of adventure was where he can live life differently and explore the wilderness. This adventure made McCandless think about life in a different perspective and when he was in the woods he lived more traditionally, with no gadgets, no making his life simpler. “McCandless was thrilled to be on his way north, and he was relieved as

McCandless led what many consider a great life for a student. Matthew Power describes Chris as a “...24-year-old honors graduate, star athlete, and beloved brother and son ... cut all ties with his family, gave his trust fund to charity, and embarked on a two-year odyssey that brought him to Alaska... where he could test the limits of his wits and endurance.” Based off of Power’s quote, McCandless seems like he led the best life that he could have led an almost perfect life. He also gives the impression that McCandless did not have an apparent reason to abandon his life and live in the wild. Peter Christian, an Alaska park ranger, brings another idea into view when he says, “The tragedy is that McCandless more than likely was suffering from mental illness and didn't have to end his life the way he did.” He brings another perspective into the mix because he suggests that Chris actually had a mental disease that caused him to feel drawn to the wild rather than his

Jon Krakauer wrote, “It is hardly unusual for a young man to be drawn to a pursuit considered reckless by his elders ... McCandless, in his fashion, merely took risk-taking to its logical extreme” (Krakauer 182). Chris did not think about dying much before he went to survive in Alaska. Many of Chris’s critics thought he was just a kid who overestimated himself and underestimated the difficulty of living in the Alaskan bush. McCandless went into the bush seeking answers and I believe he found his answers, but met fatality before he could leave. Chris McCandless was not ill-prepared for his odyssey and he was not a kook.

Chris McCandless traveled to Alaska in April of 1992 for isolation from society, and unfortunately died in Fairbanks Bus 142 in August of 1992. His death is not what angers readers, but his lack of preparation and arrogance about the wilderness is what proves his “reckless narcissism”. His selfishness to not abide by his parent’s wishes for college and a decent job, his unpreparedness for wilderness survival, and his manipulation and lack of empathy for others is why readers believe he is a “reckless narcissist”. However, many people see him as a “noble idealist” for leaving society and all its amenities to live out his dream of in the wild.

It is easier to impose a sense of insanity than it is to disprove the other way. The novel Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer depicts and closely analyzes the actions and dispositions of a young man, Chris McCandless, who ventured off into the wilderness to look for spiritual freedom away from all the corruptions of society. Though in the writings of Krakauer, it is evident that Chris McCandless can be characterized as a pilgrim, however, he is nothing more than a reckless kid with many poor attributes that eventually cost him his life. It could appear ironic to some, how his narcissistic side blinded him from reality, causing him to detach from any interactions with humanity.

Put yourself in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness, with only oversized boots, the clothes on his back, and a 10 pound bag or rice. Chris McCandless donated all of his money, and burned the remaining few dollars in his wallet. He basically shut himself out. He was determined to live out his life how he wanted to. But his way. Nothing would stop him. Nothing would ruin his plans. And he would not chest himself. He had one way to do it and one way only. Chris was a very stubborn man, but very amusing. The reason I believe that he went off into the Alaskan wilderness is to relieve his live. Although many may argue that McCandless’s mental illness served as a primary reason for his voyage into the wilderness, there is more evidence showing that

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).

People considered Chris’ search for happiness crazy and insane, but that is just their opinions. Other’s opinions didn’t mean anything to Chris because he did what he wanted, and no one was going to stop him, no matter how crazy his goals were. He wasn’t just searching for happiness but as Krakauer said, “McCandless went into the wilderness not primarily to ponder the the nature or the world at large but, rather, to explore the inner country of his own soul”(183). Chris went into the wilderness to learn who he was and why he was that way, and in his search for his identity, he had to search for his happiness, as that is what he lives for. Chris went into the Alaskan Bush in order to live the way he wanted.

Chris McCandless was an intelligent young man who decided to leave college, his dysfunctional family, and conventional society with hope of gaining enlightenment by exploring the wilderness. Unfortunately, he starved to death while camping in Alaska’s interior. Chris McCandless is a polarizing figure due to his unorthodox and transcendental ideals and the way that he died. Some individuals label McCandless as “a reckless idiot, a wacko, a narcissist who perished out of arrogance and stupidity.” Others believe Chris McCandless was courageous, noble, and admiral for adhering to his rigorous moral ideals. Although both arguments contain valid points, the second party’s interpretation of Chris McCandless is closer to the truth.

I agree with the author that Chris McCandless wasn’t a crazy person, a sociopath, or an

Chris McCandless is a whacko for many reasons. First he took his license, money, and social security card and burnt them all. I personally thought that was a stupid idea because with money you can buy the supplies you need to go on with the quest. With the licenses people can identify him if he is in danger. Social security card is to show that you are a U.S citizen. Without these items Chris is putting himself in great danger. These are steps that easily lead to his death, it's like he was waiting for it to happen.

One reason I believe Chris’s adventure was ludicrous is because he left originally in part to get away from his family due to ongoing conflicts. Conflicts between family members is a natural process within a family and certainly is resolvable with attention and problem-solving the issue. In McCandless’s situation specifically, he developed anger most directly related to his father’s adultery from his past. As Krakauer writes, “Long after falling in love with Billie, long after she gave birth to Chris, Walt continued his