Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer chronicles Chris McCandless as he uproots his entire life to lead the ultimate adventure or “odyssey” and escape civilization. The song Breezeblocks by alt-J can be very strongly linked to Into the Wild. Breezeblocks can be compared to the theme, Chris’ character, and other characters.
Into the Wild has many themes that can be related to Breezeblocks. First, the lyric “do you know where the wild things go?” illustrates that life can be an adventure. Chris is the wild thing seeking adventure and he even tries to redefine himself so with his new name “Alexander Supertramp.” Also, in his last letter to Wayne Westerberg Chris says that he “now walk[s] into the wild,” where he hopes to assimilate and become a wild thing …show more content…
“Do you know where the wild things go?” illustrates his efforts to be a wild thing. He runs from his life and family with no intention of being found, no plan, and no specific destination. Similarly, the lyric “[he] may contain the urge to run away” symbolizes how McCandless leaves with no warning and only tells his parents, ‘I think I’m going to disappear for a while’ (21). In addition, he always has the urge to travel. The summer after he graduates high school, he takes a trip across the Southwest and the summer after his junior year at Emory, he travels to Fairbanks. Furthermore, the repetition of “muscle to muscle and toe to toe” represents McCandless’ struggles with his parents, society, rules, starvation, and death. “The fear has gripped me but here I go” is significant because Chris is not completely confident of his survival in the Alaskan brush, but he goes anyway. This is shown in his last letter to Wayne Westerberg where he says, ‘If this adventure proves fatal and you don’t ever hear from me again…’ (69). These lyrics truly come into play with Chris’ desperation when he realizes how sick and close to death he is. His fear is apparent in the note he leaves outside the bus, ’S.O.S. I NEED YOUR HELP. I AM INJURED, NEAR DEATH, AND TOO WEAK TO HIKE OUT OF HERE I AM ALL ALONE, THIS IS NO JOKE. IN THE NAME OF GOD, PLEASE REMAIN TO SAVE ME...’ …show more content…
McCandless stubbornly refuses all of these offers, requests, and supplies. “Please don’t go, I love you so” illustrates the deep love between Chris and Carine; she wants Chris to come home to her but she is not resentful: ‘I knew he was happy and doing what he wanted to do; I understood that it was important for him to see how independent he could be’ (125). Subsequently, the lyric “break down, now weep” represents the devastation caused by his death. His family is crushed by his death. For instance, Billie weeps as she looks through the last pictures Chris took, ‘I just don’t understand why he had to take those kinds of chances,’ (132). Likewise, Carine has a hysterical meltdown when she is first told the news by her husband. She says she still cries everyday. In addition, Franz is overwhelmed when he hears about McCandless’ death from hitchhikers. He renounces the Lord for not keeping Chris safe and tries to drink himself to death in the desert with a bottle of whiskey. Many people in Chris’ life are distressed by his disappearance and overcome with grief by his
Into the Wild has many themes that can be related to Breezeblocks. First, the lyric “do you know where the wild things go?” illustrates that life can be an adventure. Chris is the wild thing seeking adventure and he even tries to redefine himself so with his new name “Alexander Supertramp.” Also, in his last letter to Wayne Westerberg Chris says that he “now walk[s] into the wild,” where he hopes to assimilate and become a wild thing …show more content…
“Do you know where the wild things go?” illustrates his efforts to be a wild thing. He runs from his life and family with no intention of being found, no plan, and no specific destination. Similarly, the lyric “[he] may contain the urge to run away” symbolizes how McCandless leaves with no warning and only tells his parents, ‘I think I’m going to disappear for a while’ (21). In addition, he always has the urge to travel. The summer after he graduates high school, he takes a trip across the Southwest and the summer after his junior year at Emory, he travels to Fairbanks. Furthermore, the repetition of “muscle to muscle and toe to toe” represents McCandless’ struggles with his parents, society, rules, starvation, and death. “The fear has gripped me but here I go” is significant because Chris is not completely confident of his survival in the Alaskan brush, but he goes anyway. This is shown in his last letter to Wayne Westerberg where he says, ‘If this adventure proves fatal and you don’t ever hear from me again…’ (69). These lyrics truly come into play with Chris’ desperation when he realizes how sick and close to death he is. His fear is apparent in the note he leaves outside the bus, ’S.O.S. I NEED YOUR HELP. I AM INJURED, NEAR DEATH, AND TOO WEAK TO HIKE OUT OF HERE I AM ALL ALONE, THIS IS NO JOKE. IN THE NAME OF GOD, PLEASE REMAIN TO SAVE ME...’ …show more content…
McCandless stubbornly refuses all of these offers, requests, and supplies. “Please don’t go, I love you so” illustrates the deep love between Chris and Carine; she wants Chris to come home to her but she is not resentful: ‘I knew he was happy and doing what he wanted to do; I understood that it was important for him to see how independent he could be’ (125). Subsequently, the lyric “break down, now weep” represents the devastation caused by his death. His family is crushed by his death. For instance, Billie weeps as she looks through the last pictures Chris took, ‘I just don’t understand why he had to take those kinds of chances,’ (132). Likewise, Carine has a hysterical meltdown when she is first told the news by her husband. She says she still cries everyday. In addition, Franz is overwhelmed when he hears about McCandless’ death from hitchhikers. He renounces the Lord for not keeping Chris safe and tries to drink himself to death in the desert with a bottle of whiskey. Many people in Chris’ life are distressed by his disappearance and overcome with grief by his