In Jon Krakauer’s renowned book Into the Wild, the highly acclaimed outdoorsman and rock climber receives a large volume of mail from readers who read about Christopher McCandless’ great Alaskan adventure from an outside magazine. The widespread reaction among the readers was of McCandless being insane enough to venture out into the brisk Alaskan wilderness alone, -which ultimately caused his “foolish, pointless death” (Krakauer 71). For instance, the hamlet at the head of Stampede Trail saw McCandless’ decision to enter “the wilderness [as] purposefully ill-prepared, and surviving a near-death experience does not [prove to] make you a better human” (Krakauer 71). In other words, there is no legitimate reason for someone to decide one day to
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McCandless was something else…. A pilgrim, perhaps” (Krakauer 85). A pilgrim can be considered as a tragic hero since a pilgrim leaves everything behind to build a new life while most likely dying along the way. Just like a pilgrim, Chris intends to leave everything behind to turn over a new leaf, going now by the name Alex Supertramp. McCandless’ new beginning really started at Lake Mead, California, where he was welcomed with a flash flood which lead to his only and most prized possession being totaled: his yellow Datsun B210. “Instead of feeling distraught over this turn of events, moreover, McCandless was exhilarated: He saw the flash flood as an opportunity to shed unnecessary baggage”; thus, began his journey as Alex Supertramp (Krakauer 28). This displays McCandless’s audacious and independent quality, and emphasizes his objective, which was to, “wallow in unfiltered experience” (Krakauer 23). In addition, it also accentuates his eagerness and enthusiasm to succeed. Soon after, McCandless his thoughts of appreciation for the wild and wonders of the world gradually dissipate as he does whatever he possibly can to survive due to lack of preparation. Some of his literary heroes, Thoreau and Muir, understand that living “in the wilderness inevitably directs one’s attention outward as much as inward” (Krakauer
McCandless was something else…. A pilgrim, perhaps” (Krakauer 85). A pilgrim can be considered as a tragic hero since a pilgrim leaves everything behind to build a new life while most likely dying along the way. Just like a pilgrim, Chris intends to leave everything behind to turn over a new leaf, going now by the name Alex Supertramp. McCandless’ new beginning really started at Lake Mead, California, where he was welcomed with a flash flood which lead to his only and most prized possession being totaled: his yellow Datsun B210. “Instead of feeling distraught over this turn of events, moreover, McCandless was exhilarated: He saw the flash flood as an opportunity to shed unnecessary baggage”; thus, began his journey as Alex Supertramp (Krakauer 28). This displays McCandless’s audacious and independent quality, and emphasizes his objective, which was to, “wallow in unfiltered experience” (Krakauer 23). In addition, it also accentuates his eagerness and enthusiasm to succeed. Soon after, McCandless his thoughts of appreciation for the wild and wonders of the world gradually dissipate as he does whatever he possibly can to survive due to lack of preparation. Some of his literary heroes, Thoreau and Muir, understand that living “in the wilderness inevitably directs one’s attention outward as much as inward” (Krakauer