Christopher McCandless: Leaves this Earth a Tragic Hero, not a Naïve Boy

Sarah Pattisall 

Mrs. Zurkowski/ Greens

April 12, 2011

Christopher McCandless: Leaves this Earth a Tragic Hero, not a Naïve Boy

By: Sarah Pattisall

In what might have been Christopher McCandless last contact with humanity, he says to Wayne Westerberg, “If this adventure proves fatal and you don’t ever hear from me again I want you to know you are a great man.  I now walk into the wild” (3 Krakauer).  McCandless was completely aware of the fatality of his expedition, but that didn’t stop him.  Nothing could stop him from reaching Alaska, living off-land, and going into the wild.  For 112 days he survived in the dangerous and unforgiving tundra of Alaska.  If you are brave enough to venture on to the stampede trail and cross the Teklanika you will come across a small transit system bus for Fairbanks City.  Bus 142, once a home to McCandless, is now a memory of him.  People from all over the world come to visit the bus and see what Chris must have endured.  These people see him to be a hero, a brave explorer, and an ingenious man who learned to get rid of material things and find himself.  Not everyone shares this view of McCandless.  Many people see Christopher McCandless as an idiotic and unprepared young man looking for an adventure he could not handle; however, I see Christopher McCandless as an insightful man who goes on a journey to figure life out, something not many people can do.

Many people had an impression of McCandless along these lines, “Didn’t like to be around to many people, though. Temperamental. He meant good, but I think he had a lot of complexes” (42 Krakauer.)  People saw that Chris was a nice guy and had good intentions, but it was obvious to them that he didn’t enjoy company.  Anyone could tell Chris was more than just an average young adult looking for an adventure.  Many people could tell he was very complex for his age and did not fit into normal society that thrives on material things.  McCandless was happier surrounded by nature and freedom. 

Chris McCandless’ sister Carine argues that, “Chris was good at almost everything he ever tried.  If you attempted to talk to him out of something, he wouldn’t argue. He would just nod politely and then do exactly what he wanted” (119 Krakauer.)  McCandless most definitely had a natural talent at just about everything; even his own family could see his that.  Knowing this he was very confident with himself, and he believed he was invincible.  He also did not take orders too well and would do what he thought was best regardless of what anyone else said.   He did not listen to anyone but himself.

McCandless records in his journal, “Two years he walks the earth.  No phone, no pool, no pets, no cigarettes.  Ultimate freedom…” (163 Krakauer.)  He had two years of experience in the wild living off basic necessities, he was more prepared than people thought for Alaska.  McCandless had already had many dangerous encounters with the wild, but nothing as life threatening as Alaska, he was ready to take on the challenge.

 “He had a need to test himself in ways, as he was fond of saying things that mattered.  He possessed grand-some would say grandiose-spiritual ambitions” (182 Krakauer.)  Maybe McCandless’ ambitious personality is factor in his death.  Ambitions are nothing to be ashamed of and are actually good qualities to possess; however, if you take ambitions to far and try to achieve the impossible there could be problems.  Perhaps McCandless was not ready to take on the Alaska, but that doesn’t mean he was naïve, he is a tragic hero who died doing what he loved, living in the wild.

One native Alaskan believes, “Alex is a nut in my book, the author describes a man who has given away a small fortune, forsaken a loving family, abandoned his car, watch and map and burned the last of his money before traipsing off into the ‘wilderness’ west of Healy” (72 Krakauer.) McCandless was kind enough to give away his small fortune to charity; however, it wouldn’t have hurt to have kept some money to help him out during his journey.  He completely deserted his family without letting them know where he was or giving them any closure which was wrong of him.  Also if he were to have had a map with him he would have survived; he would have learned about various place around him where could get help, and he would’ve made it out of Alaska alive.

Christopher McCandless was an amazing and intellectual man who strived for the unthinkable and strayed away from modern society to achieve a basic life in touch with nature.  McCandless was happier living a life with complete freedom then a life surrounded by people, he enjoyed being alone.  He was incredibly ambitious and followed his heart.  He did not enjoy limitations or rules set out in front of him but instead he did what he wanted to do.  He ventured out into the wild and fell in love with nature; a tragic story for a tragic hero.

Krakauer, Jon. Into the Wild. New York: Anchor, 2007. Print.