Into The Wild, By Jon Krakauer

Environment and Technology on the Appalachian Trail The individuals Bryson met on the Appalachian Trail and the revelations he experienced magnified his respect for the wilderness and his disdain for technology. At the beginning of his memoir, he knows little about the wilderness. He decides to embark on the adventure of hiking the Appalachian Trail in order to get in shape, and prove to himself that he could do it. He also felt compelled to go because the trail could potentially be destroyed in the next fifty years. His decision to attempt this ambitious adventure is rash; he wasn’t planning it out for months beforehand.

When McCandless returned home his parents expressed their fears about his dangerous, daunting trips. Although he knew the dangerous situations he was putting himself through, he didn’t want to back down to his parents, “he wanted to prove to himself that he could make it on his own, without anybody else’s help” (178). He was tired of being babied by his parents, he wanted to show them that he was no longer a boy, but a man. McCandless’ refusal of his parent’s loving advice therefore proves that he wished to be his own person, stating the actions of his trip into the wild as being sane, and a product of independence.

Thinking about this, we believe it is due to the fact that the environment has more of an effect on him than the free will he contains or his individuality. During the story, we realize that the goal is for the man to make it to the camp where “the boys,” are supposed to be and the possibility of gold. The man’s biggest mistake was his inability to realize that his present acts would have great consequences on his future. London describes at the beginning of the story the extreme coldness. “The man” also doesn’t take the time to figure out that building a fire under a spruce tree may not be the best idea.

Into The Wild was a tremendous story which Shaun Callarman did not have many positive things to say about Chris McCandless, the main character. He went on this adventure to find out what life is all about in his own eyes. He wanted to see how different living in the wild really was compared to society because he was not satisfied with his living arrangements and household. Shaun’s quote says that he thinks “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.

In The things They Carried, by Tim O’brien in that field there are two people that take responsibility for Kiowa’s death, whether it be directly or indirectly, they truly had not no control of what would happen that night. Jimmy Cross blames him self for the death of Kiowa because he chose the position and listened to the orders from the top. He could have lied and change their location to protect his men but he did not. The other solider who took responsibility was the young boy that was never named. The boy had been distracted and had a lapse in his judgment.

Deep within Chris McCandless, there is a driving force, pushing him away from everyday life, and into the wild. This urge is uncontrollable, and has the power to motivate Chris into doing actions larger than ever. This alternative lifestyle in the wilderness is sought by few individuals in the world, and lived by even fewer. Those who are risk takers are not swayed by the possibility of death. In Chris’ case, he thinks it would be more well of dying than to live a life that lacks satisfaction.

McCandless shows that the expedition was self-discovery, to take a risk to improve his own life. Throughout his journey, McCandless lies in harsh environments as well as having several ways and chances to get home, but he does not take them. Many would try to say that risky lifestyles are dangerous and best to take the easiest approach especially since Chris dies in Alaska in his journey. Proving that risk can take your life or loved ones, but that is why it is important to do risky choices in life since it pays back in the long run. The last thing Chris wrote was, “I have had a happy life and thank the Lord.

By reading the article they only know the exterior of him and not know the reason why he went to Alaska. Also they will only base off their opinion of what they had read and will not want to know the real true form of McCandless. Therefore, people should not make up their mind by reading the article because people do not know the actual person he is. Krakauer structures his book to let the readers have an in-depth view of McCandless motives in going to Alaska. He chose to write this book because he and McCandless have a similar personality of wanting to connect to nature more and like the wilderness.

I believe Shaun Callarman whom focuses on Chris McCandless is quite harsh in saying Chris had no common sense and saying that he does not admire him for his courage when Chris McCandless was a brave, wise and intelligent man. He knew exactly what he was getting into when he started his journey on going to Alaska. I think that he wanted to explore the wild and experience a different life other than the one he had. I disagree with Callarman saying McCandless was bright and arrogant at the same time. He had no business going to Alaska but that was his tactic for getting away from society.

In the film, Into the Wild, Chris wanted to be in a world where society did not control who he was. He wanted to be free and loved adventures. Id understand him because there are times when I myself want to run away without anyone knowing my destination, but to leave for such a long time and say not one word? He made a lot of mistakes based on ignorance and arrogance. I disagree because how can he just leave without calling and then dying when misused.