Nonconformity In Into The Wild By Jon Krakauer

To crave is to feel a powerful desire for something. This is an emotion each and every human has known. Much of the time as individuals mature, they experience a craving for a sense of their own identity. Into the Wild is a non fiction book by Jon Krakauer about Christopher McCandless and his journey as he discovered who he was, independently from his family. For the majority of his youth Chris idolized non-conformist authors such as Henry David Thoreau, Jack London, and Leo Tolstoy who influenced his development and beliefs. When Chris begins his solo voyage, he utilizes their thoughts to guide him, and he discovered who he was aside from those authors he learned from. The character traits that Chris showcases in his adolescence will guide …show more content…
Though it is unclear from whom he inherited it, it is obvious that he learnt from authors like Thoreau. In accordance with the creator archetype, Chris did not agree with social norms. He did hold a job during his adventure, however it was not long until he grew, “tired of punching a clock, tired of the “plastic people” (Krakauer 43). It is not his exhaustion with the normal life that matters; it is the fact that Chris tried to fit into a world he knew he did not belong, the world of workers and conformists, and his father. Chris spent years finding himself and his few months in Bullhead, where he worked his steady job at McDonalds, is representative of him testing the waters of normality. Chris may not have wanted to forgive his father, but he did try to see if he truly did belong in the same world as his father. Chris discovered that he did not belong with his father in the working world, the conforming world. Chris knew he did not fit in with the world of the wealthy like his family, however it was not until he uncovered that truth, that his father cheated on his first wife with Chris’ mother and Chris and his sister were bastard children, that Chris began to rebel against everything his father stood for. When Chris first started his journey he made, “a gesture that would have done both Thoreau and Tolstoy proud, he arranged all his paper currency in a pile on the stand. . .and put a match to it” (Krakauer 29). …show more content…
Chris, like everyone in the world, wants to know who they are. When Chris discovered the harsh reality of who his father was, he began to question who he was. This sudden crash of identity is what drove him to abandon his plans, friends, and family and wonder the country for two years. Chris was searching for himself and a way to forgive his family. Chris’ stubbornness and nonconformist ideals are also some of the reasons why he chose the paths he did while on his search. Chris died in a sleeping bag his mother made for him, so it can be inferred that he forgave his family. Just remember, forgiveness doesn’t mean that what was done is right, it simply means you are willing to put your ego aside for the sake of your