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. The search to find oneself can lead to you to strange places, such as the grand canyon and this search leads him to the wilds of Alaska. Mandy Hale in her book The Single Woman explains finding oneself means going, “ against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well beaten path.” Hale speaks of finding oneself means doing things that people may disapprove of. This is seen in the relationships between him and his parents. Chris cuts off contact …show more content…
Callarman takes these quotes as Romantic Silliness. I believe that quotes give us a sense of the world and brings us an understanding of our existence. A passage that was highlighted in Doctor Zhivago by Chris was, “You needed to surrender to some such ultimate purpose more fully, more unreservedly than you had ever done in the old familiar, peaceful days, in the old life that was now abolished and gone for good.” “Need for a Purpose” was written in Chris's hand in the margin above this passage. This quote helped guide him to his trek as he sought the unfamiliar as a purpose to find himself. Chris highlighted a passage in the book Walden, or Life in the Woods, “Through the results were bodily weakness, yet perhaps no one can say that the consequences were to be regretted, for these were a life in conformity to higher principle.” This passage gives credence to Callarman's view that Chris has a view of Romantic Silliness, but while this passage is flowery it has a more grounded meaning of living life for your own satisfaction and not regretting it. In a letter written to Ron Chris states, “You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience.”(Into the Wild pg57) This passage does seem to be romantic, but I see only a truth that was hard earned through
Until, when he finally decided that it was time to escape society, and start living independently, to find out exactly who he was. “Hey, Guys! This is the last communication you shall receive from me. I now walk out to live amongst the wild. Take care, it was great knowing you. ALEXANDER” (Krakauer, 69). The day Chris said those words he was finally living his own life, instead of the life his parents gave him. He was proud to walk out of the life he didn’t want anymore and live the life that he always wanted to live. Besides Chris living his own life instead of his parents, he also lived to find his inner self.
Jon Krakauer, the author of the book, Into the Wild only know about Chris McCandless is an explorer traveling to Alaska search for himself reborn. However he isn’t exactly what he really is, but an ignorant, foolish, selfish, and misunderstanding of the world in which he lives. These words that have been used to describe him are based on the idea that he went on a journey to the Alaskan wilderness to seek his own revelation, but not having a firm grasp of reality, he senselessly died a stubborn man, the people mention that he was unprepared to go into the wilderness, didn’t listen to a more experienced person, broken several of state laws, abandoned his family and loved ones, and followed a dream that never existed. Personally believed he is an ignorant fool, selfish, and misunderstand man that throws his life away for nothing but despair.
Seven billion people in the world, all with unique personalities, on this earth to serve a purpose in their own life, or someone else’s. Chris McCandless was a man with unique qualities, and served to please himself and coincedently others as well. In the book “Into the Wild” the author, Jon Krakauer, explains the adventures and mishaps Chris McCandless went through in his life. Krakauer admired Chris for his personality, and his ability to be determined and hardworking at everything he did. Chris McCandless was an admirable man, with his individual view on life, and the way he could touch a person’s life and impact them forever.
Selfishness is the inability to be caring, show consideration for others, as well as be decent towards others. People who are selfish think very little of others, and focus more on themselves and their own needs. In Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, he shows how Chris McCandless is a selfish person, who only cares about himself. Chris demonstrates his selfishness by the way he treats his parents, such as when they try to reach out to him, but chooses to ignore them. He also thinks of only himself by the way he treats and ignores authority and the government. Chris acts selfishly in the way he treats poorly anybody who has ever showed him compassion towards him, such as him asking for the mail to be returned to the sender, showing no interest in
Callarman tends to believe that Chris is crazy, although I know he’s not. Rachel states “McCandless travels throughout North America, following three main Transcendentalist ideals: a minimalist lifestyle, the disconnection of society, and a reverence for both God and nature.” (Lin, R. n.d.) , by that statement, it shows that from that point in his life he’s going to be disconnected from society. I believe that when he was making his choice to go to Alaska he wanted to be with nature and try for himself with god too. Rachel comments on the part where Chris lights his money on fire by saying,
There is no question that Chris McCandless had reason for the courageous, difficult, or some may even call suicidal stunt he pulled. Throwing away your education, giving up your most precious possessions, and burning all the money in your wallet must have a purpose behind it. McCandless was the type of person who would rather give than receive and did not like having things done for him and demonstrated strong characteristics of being independent. Although, out of the thousands of reasons that could have drawn him to make this drastic decision I believe it was literary influences and his philosophical beliefs that impacted his choice the most.
“The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” (Krakauer, 56) In the quote it’s showing how Chris believes joy comes from traveling and gaining new experiences, which is the exact definition of wanderlust. McCandless even says, “The core of a mans spirit comes from new experiences.” (Krakauer, 57) Chris was always trying to find new experiences that would enhance his life. He believed that he wouldn’t truly be happy until he was away from society with no restrictions. All in all Chris can easily be described as wanderlust, because the foundation of his life was the desire to
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
Selfishness is being concerned for oneself or one’s advantage and welfare regardless of others. Selfness is demonstrated when a person leaves and does not tell anyone where they are going. In Into the Wild Jon Krakauer tells the story of Chris McCandless’s selfish quest for “ultimate Freedom”. Chris is selfish because he takes his privileged life for granted. Then, Chris decides to leave and he totally ignores and blocks out his family. Finally Chris builds relationships with people, then leaves when they are no longer needed. Chris taking his life for granted, his ignorance and the fact that he is an absentee is why Chris McCandless’s quest for “ultimate freedom” is selfish.
Ever since he was little, he dreamed of living in the wild and finding himself. The wild gave him exultation because he was living out his dream. Many people cannot understand why Chris would give up all of his credential to live in the wild. They call him crazy and they can’t see what benefits his journey would have brought him. They don’t understand that he was challenging himself. Of course Chris took things to an extreme, but what he was doing was not wrong in any way, shape, or form. He wasn’t hurting anyone, he knew the risks that he was taking, he had a good head on his shoulders, and he researched the plant life of Alaska, and carried a rifle with him. Chris was trying his best to live as simply as he could. He wanted to be one with nature, and be able to appreciate every aspect of it. Although Chris’s journey did bring him exultation, it also brought him melancholy. His journey into the wild took a serious toll on his body both physically and mentally. As his physical state began to diminish as a result of the lack of food, he mentally started to diminish as well as he became somewhat depressed. He was felt trapped. He was sick and exhausted and didn’t have the resources to find a way out which did lead to his death. Even though his journey did lead to melancholy and his death, I don’t believe that Chris ever would have regretted his decision to go in to the
13. The quote by Doctor Zhivago in Chapter 18 foreshadows some important things. The quote directly related to Chris’ current situation. Chris felt that he needed to be alone to find and understand himself, to find a purpose in life, although Chris’ problem could have been solved in a different, safer, and more effective way. Chris believe selective isolation from society was the correct way to remedy his problem; therefore he cut off all ties with his family and friends, and spent life on the road.
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
What makes a person worth remembering? Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer is about a man named Christopher McCandless who goes on a journey in search of himself and to find his own happiness. Christopher McCandless stands out because he was different than everyone else out there. He wanted to be his own person and didn't let anyone stand in his way. His character can be described as Independent, Inspiring and a memorable character.
The quote is basically saying that true happiness is only achieved when shared with others, completely contradicting what McCandless had lived by all those years. This shows that Chris had the strength to realize he was wrong. Some may say that his trip was a mistake, but Chris found his answer. Prior to the notation, he told Franz, “You do not need me or anyone else in your life to bring this new kind of light in your life” (57). This is what he previously lived by. He would push people away and keep them at a distance because he believed that he did not need others to be happy. As he neared the end of his life though, he must have realized that “unshared happiness in not happiness” (189). It is clear to see that McCandless’ journey into the wild changed him significantly. This is a valid reason to praise Chris because of his ability to change. The people that see Chris as an idiot with selfish and arrogant morals are the people that don’t realize that Chris had clarity at the end of his life. He found what he was looking for, even though that would be the last thing he would think he would find, and this makes him a figure to praise. Society can learn from Chris by having hope for change. Chris was so set on his theories, but he gave change a chance. Through him, hope lives
How can a person escape the pressure of everyday life? In a busy society like the one we live in today, it’s almost impossible to find a serene place where all the worries of the world disappear. Chris McCandless was the main focus in the book “ Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer. Shaun Callarman stated in his argument, “ I think that Chris McCandless was bright and ignorant at the same time. He had no common sense, and he had no business going into Alaska with his Romantic silliness. He made a lot of mistakes based on arrogance. I don’t admire him at all for his courage nor his noble ideas. Really, I think he was just plain crazy.” I completely disagree with Callarman’s argument I think Chris McCandless knew what he was doing; He had a purpose of taking a fatal journey in order to find himself. That’s why Chris McCandless left his prosperous life behind because wealth was nothing to him.