Chris Mccandless Into The Wild

Into the Wild, written by Jon Krakauer, is a book about a young, brave, and adventurous man Chris McCandless. McCandless travels all of the United States before eventually making his last treacherous journey into the Alaskan Bush. What Chris McCandless does not know before going into the Alaskan Bush is that it would soon lead to his slow, cold, and lonely death. Chris McCandless was portrayed with many different characteristics of himself in the book Into the Wild, but mainly his drive for reducing dependence on property. Early on in the book Into the Wild Chris McCandless demonstrates his desire to reduce dependence on property. McCandless is on a trek through Alaska, hitchhiking his way when possible. Chris McCandless, at the time, was …show more content…
McCandless actually burns his cash which he was carrying at the time. This action carried out by Chris McCandless shows his protest for dependence on property and most accurately relates to the essay “Civil Disobedience” also written by Henry David Thoreau. In Thoreau’s essay “Civil Disobedience”, when talking about the United States government, he says “...a single man can bend it to his will.”. By Chris McCandless burning his money, he is protesting the government and the government's laws in a non-violent manner which is what Thoreau is trying to encourage people to do. Before McCandless’ death in the Alaskan wilderness, he validated the transcendental key that human senses are limited and we need to trust our …show more content…
With all of the knowledge I have gained about transcendentalism, I disagree with the idea of people having more power than the government. Transcendentalism urges people to be non-confirmative and to stand up for what they believe in. If there was no or very little government interaction, then the United States would forever be in a state of hysteria. I believe the government needs to have a role in the United States to keep control but also should be less crucial to everyday life. The people should have their voice and say, but when it comes down to the heart of the matter, the government always needs to have a role. The book Into the Wild is a very influential and informative book especially when looking at the transcendental aspects. Chris McCandless was a one of a kind person and proved that he did not need other people to live his life. A great deal of experience and knowledge can be learned from McCandless and his actions but one thing is sure. People should always try to help others when possible in order to obtain true