A Comparison Of Chris Mccandless In Into The Wild

Before the written novel “Into the wild”, Chris’ story had just been another told story of an idiotic man fighting for his manly hood, thus for he died and failed to accomplish. In January 1993, Jon Krakauer published McCandless’ story in that month’ issue of Outside magazine, getting numerous letters presuming the man was either mentally ill, or letters simply questioning his judgement. Inspired by the details of McCandless’ story, Krakauer wrote and published “Into The Wild” in 1996 about McCandless’ adventures, and how he may have had reasons for what he had done, reasons that weren’t apparent before hand. These adventures and reasons sparked varying responses among students, literary minds, alpinist and survivalists alike. Inspiring the

Throughout the novel, Krakauer uses strategies to demonstrate comparisons between himself and Christopher McCandless. These comparisons effectively show that Chris was sane enough to make his own decisions regarding Alaska. One of the reasons why Krakauer wrote this book was because he experienced a natural liking for McCandless. Ever since his initial encounter with McCandless’s story while working at the Outside magazine company, his affinity towards the young adventurer grew by leaps and bounds. This affinity came from the very similar experiences the two were involved in.

Between Chris McCandless and Timothy Treadwell they have many similarities and differences. Chris and Timothy were out of the normality to society. Both of these men chose to go to Alaska and live in nature for different purposes. Chris McCandless and Timothy Treadwell journeys both reflect transcendentalism. Chris McCandless and Timothy Treadwell have many similarities.

Family, friends, and possessions pressure individuals through the imposition of values that contribute to identity; we are told that we obtain our qualities simply by inheritance and association. The environment one chooses to surround themselves reflects similar learned behaviors and thought processes. Deviating from the norm is often contemptible, but natural, according to author Jon Krakauer. Realizing that he did not want to become a carbon copy of his parents and environment, Christopher McCandless wandered the American West for two years, as a nomad, to reject society as he knows it―his family, friends, and possessions. He burns his money, abandons his car, and cuts all ties with his family on an identity crisis that would lead to his death in the inhospitable Alaskan tundra.

Chris was definitely a misguided idealist if anything. He had this wild fantasy in his head that everything would fall “in place” if he went out and spent some time in the wild. Despite being so intelligent, Krakauer ended up getting brainwashed by the ideals of Jack London, Leo Tolstoy, and Henry David Thoreau. Jack London mesmerized Chris McCandless with the way he portrayed life in both the Yukon and Alaska; on page forty-four, it was said that McCandless “was so enthralled by these tales, however, that he seemed to forget that they were works of fiction, constructions of the imagination that had more to do with London’s romantic sensibilities than with the actualities of life in the subarctic wilderness.” Along with London, Chris was fascinated by Tolstoy, who “had forsaken a life of wealth and privileges to wander among the destitute.”

Despite critics’ attacks on Chris McCandless as a commendable person, Chris McCandless is an admirable figure to look up to as he shows that taking risks can be beneficial. During McCandless’s trip, he meets with a wide variety of people he get well along with. He has a great time during his adventure and gains a lot of experiences even though he is living a simple life where he doesn’t live with a vast amount of wealth. Kayt Sukel of Fox News quotes, “...helping individuals gain the priceless experience they need to make smarter, better decisions. And within these risks are the very kind of opportunities that can, ultimately, make us happier, healthier, and more successful in reaching our long-term goals… ”

Chapters 14 & 15 explained Krakauer’s personal expedition to Devil’s Thumb. I learned a lot about Krakauer’s personal life and the factors contributing to his journey. After reading his personal experience, I understood his compassion for Chris McCandless 's life and journey and why he wrote Into The Wild. Krakauer explains how he had such devotion to climb Devil’s Thumb, but I interpreted this as him being type of guy who sets his mind to a task and then is extremely driven to accomplish it.

Callarman provides a strong analysis in which I disagree on many aspects. He gives his own opinion in which Chris McCandless lives his life after he graduates and travels around the United States. He leaves everything and even burns his money because he wanted to live just how he is and enjoy what nature brought to him. His final destination was Alaska in which he wanted to go to get away from everything and that’s where he lived his last days of his life. I was saying I disagreed with Shaun Callarman because I believe he did have common sense and was a bright man.

McCandless, a compassionate young man who stole the hearts of everyone he met, possesses a thirst for adventure. Numerous individuals have misinterpreted McCandless as a reckless idiot who had squandered his life away; however, after deep scrutiny of Jon Krakauer’s work, McCandless is better characterized as a non conformed sensation seeker. Furthermore, McCandless could distinct with his virtuous actions he had perpetrated throughout his non conformed life. McCandless should be acknowledged for his non conformed lifestyle, adamant state of mind, and charismatic personality. To commence, McCandless is contemplated as a sensation seeker due to his idiosyncratic strives towards a non conformed life.

Some people would use the word reckless and arrogant to describe Chris McCandless. This is what I think of Chris McCandless, that he was courageous and adventurous. Why some people would think that Chris McCandless was reckless and arrogant is because they look at him as if he just ran into the wild not knowing anything. This is just not a fair way to judge him. He was actually very intelligent he graduated at the top of his class at Emory university.