Transcendentalism, a philosophy that emerged around the early 1800s, combines spirituality and intellectualism to better understand one's inner self. Pioneered by Henry David Thoreau and continued by Ralph Waldo Emerson, their influence has spread decades upon decades to inspire the individuals of several generations. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer focuses on Chris McCandless, a suburban kid who grew up in a well off household with an abusive and controlling father. There are several instances where Chris McCandless practices Transcendentalism similarly and differently from both Emerson and Thoreau throughout his life, involving charity, self-reliance, and individualism.
Throughout Into the Wild, Chris portrays a sense of strength with oneself, …show more content…
For two years, Henry David Thoreau lived in the woods in Concord, Massachusetts. A little place called Walden is where he stayed, however he was a few miles from civilization and he had bare necessities to get him through the two years he had burrowed out in Walden. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” (Walden 68) Thoreau wanted to understand the “essential facts of life” and follow through with his teachings by living out in the woods. Had he not, many would have possibly deemed him a coward for going against his personal philosophies. Solitude for a short amount of time should be necessary to spiritually connect with an individual’s inner self, and grasp a comprehension of one’s own character. McCandless did indeed experience this during his risky habitation. This is evident by his final revelation that was previously mentioned. What is particularly compelling is that it took McCandless to experience near death, and eventual death, to realize happiness with others is more important and healthier than happiness in isolation. McCandless followed through similar experiences as Thoreau did throughout his time in Alaska due to the amount of contemplating he had in
Throughout Into the Wild, Chris portrays a sense of strength with oneself, …show more content…
For two years, Henry David Thoreau lived in the woods in Concord, Massachusetts. A little place called Walden is where he stayed, however he was a few miles from civilization and he had bare necessities to get him through the two years he had burrowed out in Walden. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” (Walden 68) Thoreau wanted to understand the “essential facts of life” and follow through with his teachings by living out in the woods. Had he not, many would have possibly deemed him a coward for going against his personal philosophies. Solitude for a short amount of time should be necessary to spiritually connect with an individual’s inner self, and grasp a comprehension of one’s own character. McCandless did indeed experience this during his risky habitation. This is evident by his final revelation that was previously mentioned. What is particularly compelling is that it took McCandless to experience near death, and eventual death, to realize happiness with others is more important and healthier than happiness in isolation. McCandless followed through similar experiences as Thoreau did throughout his time in Alaska due to the amount of contemplating he had in