The Doors of Perception
Young adulthood is a time of existence in two worlds. In one world we have the yearning be an the adult, which is filled with excitement of all the unknown. The other world is the world of adolescence, which is controlled and offers protection. This war between the two worlds is not only emotionally forced on a person, but physically, socially, and ethically as well. For Chris McCandless a 22 year old in, “Selection From Into the Wild” this longing to hold on to his youth and yet gain freedom from and society 's restrictions, and his traumatic childhood came with a willingness to take a two year transcontinental journey where he would eventually wind up in Alaska. Unknowing, that this obsession to find his true self …show more content…
McCandless’s actions are seen by many as irresponsible and lacking in judgment. But, to truly understand why Chris McCandless longed for his youth, and why he took extreme measures to keep it, we must understand what he longed for, why it encompassed escape, and where these motives to escape came from.
It is said that a person who holds the power to eternal youth would hold the world in their hands. But just what is it about being young that drives people to recapture nostalgic moments in attempt feel young once more? According to Jon Krakauger the author of “Selection From Into the Wild” this belief comes from the reality that, "It is easy, when your young, to believe that what you desire is no less than what you deserve, to assume that if you want something badly enough, it is your God-given right to have it”(Miller and SpellMyer,155). Although, both Chris McCandless and Jon Krakauger, are at the wrong age to be a part of …show more content…
One may consider McCandless an adventurer for challenging himself and living off the land, but still others consider him to be a coward for turning his back on society and his family problems. The relationship between McCandless and his family, along with his disdain for social restrictions is a very important connection that is used to define Chris’s individual’s travels. Owing to an tempestuous relationship with his family, and his belief that social hierarchy stifles personal growth caused a personal conflict within McCandless. In McCandless’ situation this came to be because, the relationship between himself and his family are not very idealistic. This leads McCandless to informally change his name to Alexander Supertramp, so as not to be found, and isolate himself from the rest of the world. His isolation from the world made the assertion that if humans do not get the approval that they are desiring and gain a sense of self-identity, they may feel displaced in society. For Chris McCandless this alternative way to pursue this approval was to escape and relinquish all material aspects of his world and rely only on nature as his guide. McCandless was no longer willing to live under the standards of society or feel the torment of his family life, he wanted to feel free and full of life, and was willing to take extreme measures to find it happiness and fulfillment within himself.
Young adulthood is a time of existence in two worlds. In one world we have the yearning be an the adult, which is filled with excitement of all the unknown. The other world is the world of adolescence, which is controlled and offers protection. This war between the two worlds is not only emotionally forced on a person, but physically, socially, and ethically as well. For Chris McCandless a 22 year old in, “Selection From Into the Wild” this longing to hold on to his youth and yet gain freedom from and society 's restrictions, and his traumatic childhood came with a willingness to take a two year transcontinental journey where he would eventually wind up in Alaska. Unknowing, that this obsession to find his true self …show more content…
McCandless’s actions are seen by many as irresponsible and lacking in judgment. But, to truly understand why Chris McCandless longed for his youth, and why he took extreme measures to keep it, we must understand what he longed for, why it encompassed escape, and where these motives to escape came from.
It is said that a person who holds the power to eternal youth would hold the world in their hands. But just what is it about being young that drives people to recapture nostalgic moments in attempt feel young once more? According to Jon Krakauger the author of “Selection From Into the Wild” this belief comes from the reality that, "It is easy, when your young, to believe that what you desire is no less than what you deserve, to assume that if you want something badly enough, it is your God-given right to have it”(Miller and SpellMyer,155). Although, both Chris McCandless and Jon Krakauger, are at the wrong age to be a part of …show more content…
One may consider McCandless an adventurer for challenging himself and living off the land, but still others consider him to be a coward for turning his back on society and his family problems. The relationship between McCandless and his family, along with his disdain for social restrictions is a very important connection that is used to define Chris’s individual’s travels. Owing to an tempestuous relationship with his family, and his belief that social hierarchy stifles personal growth caused a personal conflict within McCandless. In McCandless’ situation this came to be because, the relationship between himself and his family are not very idealistic. This leads McCandless to informally change his name to Alexander Supertramp, so as not to be found, and isolate himself from the rest of the world. His isolation from the world made the assertion that if humans do not get the approval that they are desiring and gain a sense of self-identity, they may feel displaced in society. For Chris McCandless this alternative way to pursue this approval was to escape and relinquish all material aspects of his world and rely only on nature as his guide. McCandless was no longer willing to live under the standards of society or feel the torment of his family life, he wanted to feel free and full of life, and was willing to take extreme measures to find it happiness and fulfillment within himself.