When one thinks of an adolescent becoming an adult in America, one may think of graduating high school and then college, and later starting a career. Chris McCandless, however, mainly refused this concept, and sought a different idea all together, one that primarily included living in the wilderness. Although his journey concluded in death, Chris McCandless, through rejecting the norms of American society, succeeded in his version of a fulfilling life. McCandless did so by persuading the people that he came across to acclimate to his ideals, being self reliant, and idealistic in his approach of an enriching and experienced-filled life.
Chris McCandless’s view of a fulfilling was definitely not in accord with the classical version of being …show more content…
In countless instances, Chris expressed his distaste for the conformity of a society, as he saw with his own family, in which one’s life is a routine that consists of waking up, going to work, coming home to family, going to sleep, and repeating it for the rest of one’s life. McCandless set out into the world after college not to appreciate nature specifically, but the experiences of the world, as he described, “’It is the experiences, the memories, the great triumphant joy of living to the fullest extent in which real meaning is found.’” (27) Chris strived for a daily sense of adventure, an escape from the limitations of community, as Andy, a high school friend of McCandless, explained, “[Chris] was born into the wrong century. He was looking for more adventure and freedom than today’s society gives people.” (119) Another aspect that was unpractical of Chris, that led to his unfortunate death in Alaska, was his seclusion and his desire to be alone. According to Billie McCandless, “He seemed mad at us more often, and he became more withdrawn—no, that’s not the …show more content…
McCandless made an ineffaceable impression on a fair amount of people he came across, whom he may have only spent a few days with. Whether people agreed with Chris or not, he still strived to spread his values in an attempt to improve the lives of others in the same way his life was enhanced as well. However, the person who Chris formed the closest relationship with was Ronald Franz as he supports Chris’s ambition of seeking his meaning in life by disregarding society. Picking up McCandless hitchhiking, Franz soon develops a strong fondness towards the young adult, and eventually they form a like father-son relationship. However, after developing this affection for one another, Chris continues his trek to Alaska, but without periodically sending letters to Franz. These postcards consisted not only of McCandless’s travel plans, but also a momentum to live the life Chris is, by pursuing new experiences, “’The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.’” (40) Astoundingly, Chris persuaded Ron to live his version of a meaningful life, and soon Franz moved his belongings into a storage locker and set
Chris McCandless’s view of a fulfilling was definitely not in accord with the classical version of being …show more content…
In countless instances, Chris expressed his distaste for the conformity of a society, as he saw with his own family, in which one’s life is a routine that consists of waking up, going to work, coming home to family, going to sleep, and repeating it for the rest of one’s life. McCandless set out into the world after college not to appreciate nature specifically, but the experiences of the world, as he described, “’It is the experiences, the memories, the great triumphant joy of living to the fullest extent in which real meaning is found.’” (27) Chris strived for a daily sense of adventure, an escape from the limitations of community, as Andy, a high school friend of McCandless, explained, “[Chris] was born into the wrong century. He was looking for more adventure and freedom than today’s society gives people.” (119) Another aspect that was unpractical of Chris, that led to his unfortunate death in Alaska, was his seclusion and his desire to be alone. According to Billie McCandless, “He seemed mad at us more often, and he became more withdrawn—no, that’s not the …show more content…
McCandless made an ineffaceable impression on a fair amount of people he came across, whom he may have only spent a few days with. Whether people agreed with Chris or not, he still strived to spread his values in an attempt to improve the lives of others in the same way his life was enhanced as well. However, the person who Chris formed the closest relationship with was Ronald Franz as he supports Chris’s ambition of seeking his meaning in life by disregarding society. Picking up McCandless hitchhiking, Franz soon develops a strong fondness towards the young adult, and eventually they form a like father-son relationship. However, after developing this affection for one another, Chris continues his trek to Alaska, but without periodically sending letters to Franz. These postcards consisted not only of McCandless’s travel plans, but also a momentum to live the life Chris is, by pursuing new experiences, “’The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.’” (40) Astoundingly, Chris persuaded Ron to live his version of a meaningful life, and soon Franz moved his belongings into a storage locker and set