Christopher McCandless

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lisachat
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:00 am

Christopher McCandless

Postby lisachat » Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:23 am

I just watched the movie, and with tears streaming down my face I had to find out more about this remarkable young man. I am a woman with 3 teenage boys, so as my heart broke for Chris's family, I couldn't help but think how proud they should be to have raised such a thoughtful young man. I have tired of society at times, of commercialism, capitalism, the state of the economy and politics, the general attitude toward the environment, and the materialism that is valued more than love in much of our lives. We have "become" what we own. Sean Penn is completely brilliant. Emile Hirsch was perfect. The vulnerability, confidence, playfulness and thoughtfulness Sean brought out in this performance was so beautiful. Hal Holbrook took my breath away. I had to pause the movie just to sob. The same with William Hurt's portrayal of Chris's father and his overwhelming grief. I rented the movie because I love Eddie Vedder, I believe his score was inspired. He is a true genius. I will now read the book. I can't stop thinking of the parallels in my life. I too have been hurt, and have found many times in my life that I prefer nature, and solitude to the company of others. The beauty and glory of nature invokes the most spiritual feelings I have experienced. I felt comfort that Chris also felt he could be fulfilled in solitude, but as he found, happiness is only meaningful when shared. I hope to be able to trust enough to believe this as well. Love is forgiveness. I am haunted by those words. I am changed by watching and reading of Chris's experience. I know he has touched and taught countless others. Thank you

Dogcreek
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:07 am

Re: Christopher McCandless

Postby Dogcreek » Mon Oct 05, 2009 1:15 am

Hi Lisachat,

Thank you for starting this forum. I have viewed many other forums and they all seem to want to play upon the theme of Chris's "foolishness." Based on your comments, I see his story perhaps in much the same way you do... I have read the book twice, and today marks my fifth viewing of the movie. I am always compelled to reach out to learn more about him and this "Great Alaskan Adventure."

Having grown up in Alaska I understand the beauty and the danger that one can only experience by being there. I hope to post more and hear from others who have been touched deeply by this young man and his short but incredible life.

Jeff

lisachat
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:00 am

Re: Christopher McCandless

Postby lisachat » Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:23 pm

Hi Jeff,

I know, I don't understand how people can criticize when they weren't there, and don't know. I think the people that knew him can provide insight into what kind of person he was, which seems to be someone in search of a meaningful life, earnestly trying to escape the trappings of society- materialism, hurt and pain, ignorance. I think it's admirable. Yes, maybe he did have a map, but he was starving to death. Who's to say what that does to one's state of mind and ability to think clearly and rationally!

Lisachat

Steve108
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:32 pm

Re: Christopher McCandless

Postby Steve108 » Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:42 pm

Dear lisachat,
Very well written,your coments,you seem to speak for many of us,Thanks.
I can only add the loss of having not gone(into Nature)as a Young person, but am Joyful discovering
the Mind.

kennedy
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Oct 08, 2009 6:37 am

Re: Christopher McCandless

Postby kennedy » Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:29 am

@lisachat -- i m from india... in india the family structure is very rigid. People tend to have different opinions about how one should lead life but when i saw this movie i was just forced to think that how it feels to be free. i'll quote a line from the movie "You don't need human relationships to be happy, God has placed it all around us. "

lisachat
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:00 am

Re: Christopher McCandless

Postby lisachat » Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:33 pm

Yes- I loved that quote as well! It's true, God's love for us is manifested in the beauty all around us in nature, in the re-birth of the spring every year, in the harvest and colors of the fall, in sunsets, the force and calm of the ocean, the majestic mountains-whose solid rock is to me a symbol of His unwavering love for us. But isn't it that much sweeter shared with the ones you love? I do enjoy solitude though, and the freedom it brings to simply just be!

hunterdavidd
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:31 am

Re: Christopher McCandless

Postby hunterdavidd » Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:36 am

I was compelled to watch this movie over and over. I couldn’t figure it out. I was anamored with his journey into the wild. I thought that’s what I wanted. Not realizing that my life was paralleling his own and that I was already into the wild. I was spiralling out of control looking for what I needed. I lost my only friend my grandmother suddenly. Her death sent me into an abyss. For years I felt more and more alone. I did not know why. I was starting to lose control quickly. I feel she wanted me to watch this. And kept having me watch the movie over and over. Over and over I mean 20 or more times in two months. I couldn’t understand why. Until one day it hit me. Happiness is only real when shared.

I don’t think Chris was some great hero but one who was confused and finally found what he was looking for but died for it. He was like you and me. He didn't turn to drugs or alcohol. We all go into the wild at some point. We all do it differently. Some of us come out and some of us don't.

I lost my brother last year to a drug over dose. I think he and I shared the same pain. He turned to drugs. I chose a different way to go into the wild.

I am happy his story saved my life. I was litterally 10 minutes away from my own death when it hit me. I need to be friends with my wife. I need people in my life. I need to share my joy.

I am a very succesful businessman and could not find happiness. I almost lost it all.

Its amazing that you can have everything and not be happy.

I have a long way to go but I am saved and on the right track.

His story saved my life.

David

October 9, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Reply

hunterdavidd
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:31 am

Re: Christopher McCandless

Postby hunterdavidd » Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:43 am

One more thing...I really hope everyone watches the end of the movie and takes it in. He was lonely. He was scared. He finally realized he needed people. He needed family.

HAPPINESS IS ONLY REAL WHEN IT IS SHARED. To me that is the whole movie. He had money. He had solitude. At the very end he wanted family and others.

I always thought I only needed my career. My things. My things. What are all these things if you can not share them.

I think there are those who can live in solitude and share their joy with God. Those are very special people.

Humans must share their experience.

Chris was finally able to share his experience with us in the book and the movie. He just was not able to experience it here with us.

I think I will probably fill this board up with more thoughts as this movie was a defining moment in my life.

I just hope I can act on what I have learned.

I hope in the days and months to come I can share my Into the Wild experience.

kennedy
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Oct 08, 2009 6:37 am

Re: Christopher McCandless

Postby kennedy » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:55 am

This qoute is for you david : "What if I were smiling and running into your arms? Would you see then what I see now? ".... He wanted to see his family. Because he got enlightened... he realized, "But when you forgive, you love. And when you love, God's light shines through you." He learnt to forgive. He was in love again.
Lisa, it always feel great to share happiness with family and friends.
Last edited by kennedy on Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

Tacdriver
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2009 1:35 pm

Re: Christopher McCandless

Postby Tacdriver » Sat Oct 10, 2009 1:44 pm

i pretty much feel the same way as a few others here about Chris, such as (Lisachat and Dogcreek), i watched the movie twice this week and am trying to get hold of the book aswell, I dont think he was a foll at all though, A bit unprepared ? yes, But certainly Far from a fool, I can related to so very much with what he had been through and how he went about dealing with all of it, i could go on forever here with my expereiences, but i wont, im glad for this forum though, and will be checking in a few times a day as long as it is still up,It is so very true though, Happiness is only real when it is shared,
I can also relate to Davids situation aswell, the best to you in the future. God Bless you Chris, May you never be in anymore pain my friend.i wish there was a way to touch his spirit some how connect with himeverytime i read some of these passages here, the tears strart streaming down the face of this 45 yeaold beaten annd run down man. some much that has beeb said in the other passages on here also relate to my life in a vey very big part. and im trying to put it into words but there just keeps being more and more to say, ( venting maybe ? im not sure, all i know is what and how i feel. and the over powering sadness in my life every day with no family or friends around me anymorei, I still feel the pain of my family being killed at such a young age, and now me at 45 who done heavy construction until my body collapsed from all the the injuries and i can barely ever walk now My life time so called friends live 5 houses away and ever since i got hut 11 years ago, not one of them has ever stopped to visit, that in itself is dvdistating, at least to me, i almost i was chris and just left for beautuful alaska a go away forever in peace.I .must go for a few as the tears cant stop pouring down my face , bless you all I need Something To Believe In
Last edited by Tacdriver on Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:13 pm, edited 4 times in total.


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