Transcendentalism is a literary, religious, and philosophical movement that arose around the same time the American literary tradition was beginning to blossom. Many authors were inspired by this movement, including Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau expresses his Transcendental beliefs in Walden. A modern day Transcendental work is Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild. In this true life adventure story, Krakauer presents Chris McCandless’s strong belief in Transcendentalism, inspired by Thoreau’s and other authors’ writings. McCandless’s lifestyle displayed in Into the Wild correlates with the beliefs of Thoreau expressed in Walden through their common faith in Transcendentalism. Like Thoreau, McCandless believes in living boldly and deliberately. Krakauer
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McCandless came into the world marching to a different drummer than most. When he was only in the third grade, he received a high score on a standardized test and was placed into an accelerated program for gifted students. Unlike the other students placed in the program, McCandless was not happy about being in the class because of all the extra work. He tried convincing his parents, his principal, and his teacher that there had been a mistake, that he did not belong in that class. When his parents went to their first PTA meeting, the teacher simply told them McCandless marched to the beat of a different drummer and shook her head (Krakauer 106). Just like McCandless, Thoreau expresses his individualism and feels it is relevant that everyone is granted the right to express themselves. In Walden, Thoreau says, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away” (Thoreau). Thoreau is a strong supporter of those expressing their individualism. He feels that hearing a different drummer is perhaps a blessing, instead of a
McCandless came into the world marching to a different drummer than most. When he was only in the third grade, he received a high score on a standardized test and was placed into an accelerated program for gifted students. Unlike the other students placed in the program, McCandless was not happy about being in the class because of all the extra work. He tried convincing his parents, his principal, and his teacher that there had been a mistake, that he did not belong in that class. When his parents went to their first PTA meeting, the teacher simply told them McCandless marched to the beat of a different drummer and shook her head (Krakauer 106). Just like McCandless, Thoreau expresses his individualism and feels it is relevant that everyone is granted the right to express themselves. In Walden, Thoreau says, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away” (Thoreau). Thoreau is a strong supporter of those expressing their individualism. He feels that hearing a different drummer is perhaps a blessing, instead of a