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Chris living the transcendentalism life

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:49 pm
by hschoneman
Chris McCandless. What comes to mind when you hear this name? Some think he is a crazy kid who didn’t know what he was doing. Other believed he had a reason and a plan and wanted to live life to the fullest. In my opinion, I have one word to describe him-a transcendentalist. Everything he said and did links back to Emerson and Thoreau and what their beliefs were. In Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” he states “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” While reading “Self-Reliance”, Chris starred this specific line because it SPOKE to him. It had a certain meaning to him that made him want to live like a transcendentalist. Transcendentalists like Thoreau believed in the beauty of nature and Chris had the same feeling. Chris didn’t need the luxury of a big house to be happy, all he needed was the beauty of nature and a life with no worries. In nature there was no authority or expectations to live up to. Your life was your own, no needing to change for society. Chris didn’t like the idea of authority especially coming from the two most luxurious people he knew- his parents. He didn’t agree with how they lived their life and felt as if he needed a fresh start. He runs away from civilization which connects back to Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience.” Thoreau was arrested for going against authority and government and although Chris was arrested, he did show transcendentalism by leaving authority for the luxury of, in some respects, nothing. He relied on himself. He burned his money and left his car in the middle of nowhere. All he had with him was his own thoughts and mind which is what Emerson said was the key to life.
Chris showed many people that you don’t need a big house and lots of money to be happy. He died a happy man which is what he wanted all along. Many call him crazy but I call him brave for searching for the happiness he truly wanted and needed. He is a true transcendentalist by following nothing but his own mind and soul. He lived the life most people dream of, which is a life full of happiness because you succeeded everything you wanted to in life.

Re: Chris living the transcendentalism life

Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 6:57 pm
by Deana.Poulsbo
Hey there! I've been reading your phorum for some time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Austin Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the great work! best wishes