Into The Wild - Kelly Frazer-Modica
Into The Wild Essay
Kelly Frazer-Modica
Writing and Recreation Cluster/Ashby/Week 8
Into the Wild
Chris McCandless was a determined young man. From an early age, he
wanted to do things his way or no way at all. Chris had an amazing
spirit, the ambition to succeed, and the drive to make things
happen. Chris desires to live by his own moral code, his law and not
the law of anyone else’s that would put shackles on his psyche.
Chris was a polite and well educated fellow, good athlete, and high
achiever in his studies both in grade school up through college.
However, after college he had a different plan for himself than his
folks did, which again was yet another obstacle for Chris and his
parents, Chris was becoming discontent with his mother and father;
Walt and Billie McCandless. Who knew that things would end up so
tragic for the young man we call Alex and his family.
When Christopher Johnson McCandless made up his mind to do something
he did it. Chris didn’t see things as most people do. He was
discontent with being held down to the confinements of society’s
ideals. Chris didn’t like our government, politics, or the idea of
nice things such as fancy new cars, luxury vacations, or upscale
homes. Chris doesn’t even desire much of anything with a monetary
value on it. Chris McCandless was a simple young man with a burning
desire to live a simplistic nomadic lifestyle and see the United
States. His ultimate goal was to reach the great north, the Alaskan
wilderness.
Along Alex’s journey, he befriends only a few people. Chris works a
few odd jobs here and there to make some money, but when he gets his
“itchy feet” once again Alex, is on the move and once again the road
is his home. Chris doesn’t want to get attached to anyone, he
desires his freedom and his privacy. He has his reasons and makes
decisions to keep his new family at arms length as to not lose sight
of his goal, the Alaskan bush.
Christopher J. McCandless did a phenomenal job at discovering
himself and his new identity and seeing all the beauty that nature
has to offer. Alas, his only mistake was underestimating Alaska and
the harshness that comes with the cruelty and unpredictability of
nature and all her fury. Rivers run high and currents are immense.
Traveling without a map, a compass, or proper clothing are not
considered wise either. Most all Alaskan’s fault Chris and believed
he got what he deserved. “By design McCandless came into the country
with insufficient provisions, and he lacked certain pieces of
equipment deemed essential by many Alaskan’s: a large caliber rifle,
map and compass, and an ax” (Krakauer, p. 180). Chris undoubtedly
should have planned out his Alaskan travels more prepared. More
food, warmer clothes and boots would have been a great help as well
as the items already mentioned. If Chris would have at least have
had a map, he would have known that Healy was just a few miles to
the east of his makeshift camp and this would have indeed saved his
life. Unfortunately that’s not the way things worked out. Perhaps
Chris wanted to test himself and push himself to the very limits.
Some think maybe he went there to die. I for one don’t believe it.
Chris wanted to return according to the words in his journal,
“Disaster…Rained in. River look impossible. Lonely, scared” (Krakauer,
p. 170). This indeed does not sound like a man that wanted to meet
his maker. Everyone has an opinion of Chris and what he should or
should not have done. The bottom line is this; it was his life to
live and no one else’s. Nonetheless to me, Christopher Johnson
McCandless was an amazing young man with many talents and a gift to
live life to the fullest with the ability to dive into the ocean as
most of us just wade in the pond. Alex, as I will refer to him, as
that was the name he had chosen for himself, touched me so deeply,
that I cannot help but weep with the mere mention of his name. RIP
my brother. One day we indeed will meet and I for one can’t wait to
hear of your travels and give you a huge hug.
References:
Jon Krakauer (1996) Into the Wild. New York: Villard Books
