...Chris McCandless believed in the concept of non-conformity. His upbringing impacted his life of ease and simplicity. However, he always felt as if he was independent but never was able to fully arrive at complete independence. Chris’s constrained values of appreciation of the power of nature and non-materialism brought him to be labeled as a transcendentalist. Alexander Supertramp was the epitome of non-conformity. That is the reason Chris created him. “To symbolize his complete severance from his previous life, he even adopted a new name. No longer would he answer to Chris McCandless; he was now Alexander Supertramp, master of his own destiny.” (p.23) He felt as though he had accepted society too deeply into his life to regain happiness into his life as Chris. So he created an alter ego that was and did everything Chris wanted to but could not because of his acceptance of society. Alex...
Words: 454 - Pages: 2
...Chris McCandless is a young man in Jon Krakauer's novel who drops everything to journey into the wilderness and find adventure. Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer characterizes Christopher McCandless as careless and independant. Chris is described as man descriptive adjectives by many people but one that I believe fits him very well would have to be careless. “Alex admitted that the only food in his pack was a ten-pound bag of rice. His gear seemed exceedingly minimal for the harsh conditions… Alex didn't seem too worried” (Jon Krakauer 5). Chris went into the wilderness unprepared not ready for what he was about to encounter out there. He was prepared for what he was going to face mentally but not physically definitely not physically. All he had with hi was a pack of rice which probably didn't even last him a week so as you can there is one...
Words: 512 - Pages: 3
...way. One being Chris McCandless, a college student who decided to take a different route in life. Even though McCandless had a tragic ending, he did live an admirable life because he had the clear mindset and no regrets to go into the wild. To begin with it takes a clear mind to make big decisions like Chris McCandless, he knew what he was doing and getting into. For example, Chris wrote a postcard stating “If this adventure proves fatal and you don’t hear from me again...I now walk into the wild.”(Krakauer) Chris knew that walking into the wild could be fatal at any good point. He was well aware of the risks involved in him going into the wild. The article The Go Nowhere Connection states that “particularly young Americans...
Words: 476 - Pages: 2
...said this quote. This quote some what describes Chris McCandless, because in the book Into the Wild, written by Jon Krakauer, McCandless goes on an adventure. This young man goes on this adventure, so he can see what he is able to do and also to find himself. McCandless was determent to live his live to the fullest even from a very young age. He went with his dad on several adventures and always explored new things when he was younger. As he grew up he never lost the feeling that he got every time he went to explore new things. He was different from most of the people, because he does not mind being...
Words: 928 - Pages: 4
...Nature’s Role in Chris McCandless’ Life Nature’s role in the book “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer plays a significant part in Chris McCandless’ life. My argument or topic sentence would be that “Nature gives freedom, and man’s ultimate joy can only be found in man’s communion or relationship with nature”. “...there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun” ( p. 79). “You think that I am stubborn, but you are even more stubborn than me. You had a wonderful chance on your drive back to see one of the greatest sights on earth, the Grand Canyon, something every American should see at least once in his life” ( Chapter 6, p. 57). “But in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure” (Chapter 6, p. 57). “...they present to Alex a route which apparently will take him to the ocean. He is overjoyed and hope bursts back into his heart” (Chapter 4, p. 34). “Flying would be cheating . It would wreck the whole trip”( Chapter 7, p. 67). “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” (Chapter , p. 69). ‘This is the last time you shall hear from me Wayne….I want you to know that you’re a great man. I now walk into the wild” (p. 69). Analysis Paragraph In the book “ Into the Wild” by...
Words: 1006 - Pages: 5
...Chris McCandless and Mahatma Gandhi both chose a very non elaborate way of living. McCandless chose a very simple lifestyle to escape modern American ideals. Gandhi chose a life of poverty to connect with the majority of the Indian residence. Chris showed the world not too get caught up in materialistic things. While Gandhi showed the world that the pen is mightier than the sword and you have a voice and violence isn’t always the way of expressing that voice. In this first section, I provide the important success both McCandless and Gandhi fulfilled on their quest. Chris McCandless was not content with his life, so he decided to break away from his family and friends. He strived to arrive at the Stampede Trail. McCandless achieved everything...
Words: 514 - Pages: 3
...Shaun Callarman believed that McCandless was not courageous nor noble. This is actually how I see McCandless as well. He was crazy. It was probably the dumbest thing that Chris could’ve done with his life. Although he had a rough upbringing and a fallout with his dad, I do not think that going into the wilderness ill-prepared was the best way to deal with his issues. Chris McCandless was a boy from the suburbs of Virginia who was very athletic. He was only twenty four years old when his body was found in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness. He was a student at Emory University and shortly after he graduated, he set off on his adventure that would later kill him. McCandless became angry with his family because he had found out that his father had had another family when Chris was just a child. This information is what set Chris off and provoked him to leave with no return. He had no intentions on telling his parents or sister where he was going. This is the most psychotic act I have ever heard of. Chris changed his identity by going by name “Alex.” Personally, I do not think that this was a smart idea at all. Chris...
Words: 610 - Pages: 3
...interests of man”(Krakauer 157). Christopher McCandless is neither a pilgrim nor a suicidal narcissist. A pilgrim is defined as one who journeys for a religious purpose. Although “God” is mentioned multiple times throughout the novel, McCandless never states that his reasoning for traveling to Alaska was because “God put him in the land of righteousness- Alaska”. McCandless also did not journey on his Odyssey to find God or improve his relationship with...
Words: 852 - Pages: 4
...Does Jon Krakauer make an effective case in the justification of Chris McCandless’ behavior and shortcomings? Has he given good enough evidence that it can explain away his visions of self grandeur, being insufficiently prepared , and his out right hypocrisy? To starry eyed ignorant youth and people trying to give off the appearance of being an intellectual, they would say yes, he indeed did. However, more practical and logical people would say he was just another ill prepared rich kid that overestimated himself and underestimated the wilderness. This undertaking Chris thrust himself into would result in his demise due to the fact being that his first mistake was his last. His early death is a result of not being prepared well enough with proper gear due to his hippocratic...
Words: 616 - Pages: 3
...There are many different points in the story Into the Wild where things Chris McCandless does and ways that he acts suggest that he had a transcendentalist way of thinking about things. From his distaste for money, need to find his true self, and his views on how society was corrupt and impure, Chris exemplifies his high moral standings and his outlook on how things should be. There are many good examples that help to prove that McCandless was a transcendentalist in the essay Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson. One belief of transcendentalists that McCandless expresses multiple times throughout the book is a need to disconnect from corrupt society and find his inner self by taking trips with strange motives, and retreating into the wild...
Words: 428 - Pages: 2
...Comparative Essay Into the Wild Leo Tolstoy is considered to be one of the greatest novelists of all time, influencing the world of the arts as well as the way we analyze the philosophies of human beings. Throughout the past century, he has influenced millions of people with his meaningful and powerful novels and essays about the way we appreciate love and how we live our lives. When reading the novel Into the Wild, it becomes clear that the artist’s philosophies have had leverage on Christopher McCandless and the theories he applies to his chosen lifestyle. When analyzing McCandless’ behavior, Tolstoy’s importance becomes evident through the reasons the protagonist has when leaving the society he was a part of in terms of luxury, human contact with the wilderness, and the importance of conscience. These ideals can be seen specifically represented in one of Tolstoy’s essays titled On Labor and Luxury, which forms part of a compilation of papers published in the book What to do? in 1887. Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy opens his argumentative piece by describing his reasons to criticize society, which presents McCandless’ ideals on escaping the community he was a part of. Tolstoy describes “the wretchedness of our life” by stating that “If the people of our sphere, of our caste, will only take a serious look at themselves, then young persons, who are in search of personnel happiness, will stand aghast at the ever-increasing wretchedness of their life, which is plainly leading them...
Words: 1093 - Pages: 5
...Realist or Narcissist? Throughout Chris McCandless's journey we never truly find out if Chris McCandless is a noble but misguided idealist or a narcissist who hurt his family.Chris McCandless is a person who travels America and the Alaskan wilderness in order to pursue his ideals on his journey he puts his ideals into action by leaving behind materialistic possessions for example his car in the Mojava desert and giving away his money to charity.This essay will give insight into whether Chris McCandless was an idealist or narcissist. Chris McCandless is more of an idealist he followed his ideals, he thought of the perfect world for himself and he knew he couldn’t change the world and get people to live the way he wants so he does it by himself...
Words: 497 - Pages: 2
...Christopher McCandless, the author of Jon Krakauer's book "Into the Wild." has been widely regarded as a transcendentalist. Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes the importance of individualism, nature, and self-reliance. This essay will argue that Chris McCandless fits into being a transcendentalist. Firstly, Chris McCandless embodies the transcendentalist value of individualism. Throughout his journey, he seeks to find his true self and rejects the expectations and constraints of society. He leaves his privileged life behind to live a simple and self-sufficient life in the wilderness. He does not conform to societal norms, nor does he seek approval from others. This pursuit of individualism is a key tenet of transcendentalism,...
Words: 491 - Pages: 2
...Into the Wild Character Analysis Essay Chris McCandless, the main character in Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, is a man with many problem in his life, in which, sets out to find his true self by surrounding himself with nothing but nature in the Alaskan wilderness. In Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer characterizes Christopher Mccandless as foolish and determined. Christopher Mccandless is a guy who sought out nature to find the true meaning of life, but in doing so, it killed him because he was foolish. Chris was going to make the long journey to Alaska by foot, but everyone else knew he would end up needing a ride, but ¨… when they see that [machete]¨(Krakauer, 68), no one's gonna want to. He intended to make his long journey and live off nature...
Words: 548 - Pages: 3
...Ralph Waldo Emerson was a Unitarian Minister that left his home to find an entirely new meaning to life, which is exactly what Chris McCandless did as well. Emerson’s belief was that you should do what you thought was right, and not follow anyone else’s opinion but your own. In the biography Into the Wild, Chris demonstrates qualities that convey transcendentalism. He left his whole life behind to go into the wilderness and find a better meaning of life that didn’t involve any materialistic items. He wanted to travel on his own without the help of other people, which demonstrates that he relied on only himself to get through the dangers of the wild. Ralph Waldo Emerson would agree that Chris McCandless was a transcendentalist, because he followed most of what Emerson believed to individualize...
Words: 798 - Pages: 4
