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Character Analysis for Chris Mccandless

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Character Analysis for Chris McCandless After graduating from college at Emory University in 1990, Chris McCandless changed his name to Alex and got rid of all his money and possessions. With no one knowing where he went, McCandless invented a new life for himself. He wondered around North America living as he chose, answering to on one and proving to himself that he could make it on his own. Chris’s main goal was to hike to Alaska and live off the land. Chris looked young, around 17 or 18 but claimed to be 24. His build was small but wiry,and looked to be about 5/7. “His gear seemed exceedingly minimal for the harsh conditions. He had cheap leather hiking boots neither waterproof nor well insulated. He had a .22 caliber rifle too small for large animals which he would have to eat if he hoped to remain very long in the country. No ax, no snowshoes, no compass. An old tattered state road map was his only navigational aid.” (pg5)
“McCandless had been raised in the comfortable upper-middle-class of Annandale, VA” (pg19) After college he completely separated from his parents, “in fact, he hadn’t spoken to his family in nearly two years.” (pg6) Even though Chris/Alex didn’t get along with his parents, Chris made an impression on everyone he encountered on his adventure. Everyone liked him and wanted to help him and asked him to stay in touch.
Chris was mild mannered but very determined. He was described as “determined, real gung ho, excited, couldn’t wait to get out there and get started”. (pg6) He was also a hard worker. He worked odd jobs while traveling around the country. It didn’t matter what the job was, he would do it. He never quit in the middle of something. “He was extremely ethical and set high standards for himself”. (pg18)
Chris was both an introvert and extrovert, when he was with people, he enjoyed talking and was outgoing. However, when getting close with someone and starting to build a relationship, Chris would move on and avoid personal closeness. Although Chris started out as a loner, in the end he wrote, “HAPPINESS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED” (pg 189). “This notation can be interpreted to mean that he was ready to shed a little of the armor he wore around his heart, that upon returning to civilization, he intended to abandon the life of a solitary vagabond, stop running so hard from intimacy, and become a member of the human community.” (pg 189)
We will never really know, because Chris died probably on 18 August 1992. The last picture he took of himself in his final hours, he “was smiling and there was no mistaking the look in his eyes. Chris McCandless was at peace, serene as a monk gone to God.”. (pg199)

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