Comparing The American Dream In Into The Wild, By Jon Krakauer
Hook: The American Dream is often seen as representing the nation’s unchanging ideals, but in reality, as older generations fade to sleep, those that follow wake up anew with their own new versions.
American Dream mention: James Truslow Adams defined the American Dream in his book The Epic of America as “That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability” (quoted in “In Search of The American Dream”), but this was far from the last word.
Context: One version of this American Dream can be seen through the eyes of a rich but shady magnate, who chases his American Dream through the pursuit of wealth. Another version of this dream, however, by contract, occurs
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Book and Author mention: The main character in Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, Chris McCandless, sets out on a journey of self-discovery through nature after becoming dishearten with the materialistic values of his family. While camping near the Salton Sea, Chris befriends an old veteran named Ronald Franz. Later, while on his way to Alaska, Chris sends Franz a letter urging him to abandon his ties to others and seek happiness in the world around him:
Evidence: “You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. G-D has placed it all around us… You do not need me or anyone else around to bring this new kind of light in this life” (Krakauer, ch. 6).
Commentary part 1: Chris proclaims that people’s goal in life should be to find personal joy and fulfillment in the world around them as opposed to in “human relationships”. Chris’ dream of self-fulfillment is so strong that he feels the need to try to convince Franz to share in it through his letter. As opposed to the earlier focus on a strong family bond, Chris now communicates to Franz that the goal of the American Dream should be self-fulfillment through joy “G-D has placed” in the
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