Chris Mccandless Journey

Chris McCandless was a spoiled brat. One example of this was when Chris was being dropped off at the start of the Stampede Trail by Jim Gallien. He insisted on giving Gallien his watch, comb, and money. If he did not take them, “[Chris would] throw [them] away,” (Krakauer 7). Chris had no appreciation for his belongings. He planned to just throw away his belongings and money. This was just one of the many times he took his belongings for granted; he burned his money, ditched his car, and refused to take actual boots from Gallien. He disposed of money because he had no value of it and did not appreciate the work it took to make that money. He was raised in an upper class household and did not have to work hard to have money. He grew up in a

In all his adventures, McCandless possessed little to nothing in possessions and subsistence, but that didn’t stop him from doing achieving his goals. Likewise, the American dream or character stands on the same foundation of success where anyone can gain wealth and happiness even if they start from nothing. Though McCandless was privileged with a comfortable life, he intentionally threw everything away like his college money and car to prove he could continue without having a head start. With nothing but determination and a steadfast mentality, he embodies the American character to the extent that Americans hope for the best in all situations. Even in near death situations, McCandless survived and grew stronger as an individual, but his major flaw was that he believed too much in the American dream which lead to his downfall. Instead of falling short of being an American, I think he lived an extreme and irrational mode of an American where all his decisions were not prudent. On the other hand, The American lives with preparedness for the future which distinguishes McCandless from the ideal character. Some examples of his negligence for his own health were when he declined to take additional clothing, burned the last of his money, and threw away his ammunition. It was foolhardy for him to purposefully hurt himself and his surrounding like his loved ones. But he isn’t the only one, and only when someone dies from his mistake does people begin to realize the flaws

McCandless exhibits the transcendental tenet of nonconformity in his actions throughout his journey. First, McCandless did not connect with society, because he hated that people were left to die. He believed in equality, a transcendental ideal, so when his car broke down on his road trip to Alaska “he abandoned it in the Arizona desert” (4). He then proceeded “to bury most of his worldly possessions in the parched earth of Detrital Wash and then ... burned his last remaining cash” (4). These acts signify that he refuses to be materialistic and conform to society standards, but he chooses to live by his own morals. Second, in the movie, McCandless visits a bar with his coworkers where he explains his dislike of society. He says, “Society, man! You

Starting off with the idea and question of ‘’Do we owe our families anything?’’ In some cases yes. When you grow up with the same or at least similar mind set as your parents, it is not difficult to stick around and respect them after they raise you. However ,in McCandless’s case, we see that he is nothing similar to his parents. They are materialistic which is a direct offence to what McCandless believes. His mother Billie McCandless say, “Chris was very much of the school that you should own nothing except what you could carry on your back at a dead run.” This clearly illustrates what his opinions were on materialism.

This is what was at the core of McCandless' initiative to seek out a simpler life, one free of all of the burdening problems of society. Another key factor was certainly escaping his family, namely his parents, and their ways. Their materialistic ways—which strongly opposed his beliefs—and inability to see eye-to-eye with McCandless had always irked him (108-110). He was surely angry at his parents for being so attached to materialism and their stiff ways; it was no surprise that they had never understood their son. Evidence of his despise for society and cause of yearning to leave it shows when he told Ron: “Mr. Franz, I think careers are a 20th Century invention and I don't want one. You don’t need to worry about me; I have a college education. I’m not destitute. I'm living like this by choice (103).” With this statement one comes to understand

As McCandless’ life goes on his wanting to get away from society and his hatred for his parents grows ever stronger. By the time he graduates college he is ready to leave his family for many years and head out west. He gives away his money, abandons his yellow Datsun and leaves his family with no note or reason for his travels. This can further the opinion that McCandless is a fool, he wastes his prized possessions and leaves his loving parents with no reason and gives no post card or calls on his journeys. It seems he was rather spoiled and ungrateful for the life he was given. He could be easily described as rebellious by his parents. He even had the chance to go to Harvard Law school for free with his father paying for it. McCandless despised money and avoided it most of the time unless it was pivotal for him getting to a certain part of the United States. “Tramping is too easy with all this money. My days were easier when I was

McCandless's life and views were not to be dictated by material possessions. For instance, Chris says he felt “[a]t long last...emancipated from...a world of...material excess, a world in which he felt grievously cut off from the raw throb of existence”(18). Chris felt that money captivated people and fueled their obsessive desire for the currency. He claimed that money hindered people from discovering true fulfillment in the world and themselves. In fact, Chris McCandless preferred distancing himself from such superficial values. Therefore, he identifies with the quote because he cares more about the truth of life than

In the book “Into The Wild” by Jon Krakauer he writes about a young man named Christopher Mccandless. Chris had been found dead in Alaska by moose hunters from starvation. The book describes Chris’s life choices and events leading up to his death. Chris’s life choices and ignorant decisions had led up to his premature death in Alaska, April 1992.

McCandless and Thoreau had no desire for money while growing up, and the way it

McCandless is known as a stubborn and strong-willed person, who isn't afraid of anything. He chooses his beliefs over everything and doesn't let his feelings slip. McCandless is an interesting person but is not as complicated as he seems. He is a boy who grew up in a wealthy family that values material success over happiness and satisfaction in life. He grows up seeing these materialistic people up close, how narrow-minded and how simple they are. This leads to him hating everything that is associated with his parents. Chris develops strong

McCandless reconstructs himself to “Alex Supertramp” which is marked by his rejection of materialism, as well as his journey to live on his own in the wild. McCandless puts his money all together on the sand and “put a match to it, one hundred twenty-three dollars in legal tender was promptly reduced to ash and smoke” (29). McCandless burning his money was a way of his need to be fully on his own without the use of anything relating to modern. McCandless is showing his hatred and separation from material things because he can't buy the things he need throughout his journey. McCandless follows the non-materialistic lifestyle to heart and does not accept materials and comfort.

In a letter, this is what McCandless suggested to one of his closest friends, Ronald Franz. Mr. Franz was extremely lonely man in his eighties. In this letter, McCandess obviously encouraged him to take risks and live life to the fullest. Despite his old age, Ronald Franz sold most of his possessions including his apartment, and he set up a camp on the bajada. This shows the influence McCandless had on other people. This quote also reveals one of McCandless’s character traits. He was

McCandless’ actions regarding money are inconsistent. First he burns all his money and claims it is not important in his life; “one hundred twenty-three dollars in legal tender was promptly reduced to ash and smoke”(29 Krakauer). He also destroys his non-essential amenities, such as his beloved Datsun, rifle, and cash, as

When McCandless decided to go on his pilgrimage he had donated his savings of twenty-four thousand dollars to charity. McCandless was a very confound being, seeing as he at one point he had wanted to become one with nature, cutting off ties with civilization but still making friends and growing bonds with those along the way. As claimed by many, McCandless’s journey was a practical suicide calling, it’s shown he had really done it to escape the wrath of his abusive father an overbearing mother, and to achieve self-confinement; even if it would eventually lead to death. McCandless’s was not really the type survive life on the road, hence his death after a short period of time being away. If he had maybe done a bit more preparation for his adventure and actually studied the frontier he may have actually had a chance for long-term

These flaws are from misunderstandings life in general. He clears his point that he does not want money to control his life in different scenes and stages by saying, “I don’t want things. These things, things, things, things.” (Into The Wild) In the example above he proves that he is not a materialistic person. However, it is impossible to live in the society without money because society is a money-oriented place. He needs money in order to buy bullet when he runs out. He needs money to graduate from college. He needs money to buy the book to find plants that are edible in the wild. In a like manner, McCandless has an error in judgment when he starts off believing he can live without the love of his family and friends when he says, “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” (Into The Wild) This is an error in judgment because he, later, when it is too late, realizes that he is “lonely and scared”. The indicated shows the tension he is living in and that he wishes to go back and it is a mistake to live on your own. (Into The Wild) Additionally, it shows that he is living in a false consciousness because the truth is love, money, and fame. He is mad at his parents because of something they have done continuously. As a result of that he is grasping to change his life’s direction from hating his parents to becoming the new self and learning new