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"Into the Wild" is the true story of a young man who spends years after college exploring and touring the US and Mexico. This man, Alex McCandless, leaves his educated, typical American life, in search of...something. Throughout the book, it is apparent that no one, not friends, family, or acquaintances, ever knew what McCandless was looking for. In some ways, it appears that this man lived a life of solitude, depression, and loneliness. However, many of the people who encountered McCandless stated that he seemed quite content living the life he loved, and he enjoyed spiriting around the world, desiring to find adventure wherever he went. There is a large amount of irony that exists in Alex McCandless's tragic tale, for his presumable cause of death was starvation, and before he went on his life-altering adventure, he donated his life's savings to a foundation that assisted starving children.Although I had never read "Into the Wild," before reading the book, I had heard many individuals discussing the content of the book. I went into it thinking that I would find many similarities between Alex McCandless and "Catcher in the Rye's" Holden Caulfield. Holden and Alex both appeared to view the world with unique and aspiring optics, however even though both of the young men desired to "be different," and lived life in confinement at times, McCandless was much more educated than Holden, and he seemed to have a skill set that was not seen in Caulfield. In addition, their social skills seemed to vary drastically. Holden had trouble communicating with others, while Alex enjoyed the company of others, and many individuals spoke quite highly of him. Many of the people who spoke of Alex in the book suggested that he was a very intelligent, handy, and hard-working man. All of which are traits that Holden did not possess.
McCandless was a firm believer in owning only what you could carry on your back. Through his writing and the stories from people who knew him, it appears that he did not enjoy carrying the burden of schlepping around extra baggage; be that clothing, friends, or food. I found his letter to Ronald Franz, a man he met on in South Dakota, to be quite revealing. McCandless prompted Franz to "make a radical change in his lifestyle," and "become accustomed to such a life" of traveling and adventure. In this letter, McCandless exposes his true feelings on life, and his motives for hitchhiking across American borders. He states that he sees no value in living life by "going right back to the same situation you see every day."
I also found this book an engaging read. I know it is taught pretty often in high schools - I like the contrast you draw with "Cather in the Rye."
ReplyDeleteI wonder how teachers might connect it with climate change. Hmmm... some kind of allegory for the power of humans vs nature, nature wins? Ideas anyone?
I saw the movie on this book and it was really an amazing film. The book seems as if it would be even better than the movie. An interesting note about this book is my uncle works at Emory University and was there when Alex went off on his journey.
ReplyDeleteI also read this book. And a serious of unfortunate events occur leading up to Chris's death. I realize that Chris wanted to prove his independence, but at what cost? His life? If he would have been a little more prepared, he would have gotten out of Alaska alive. It was his arrogance and hubris that took his life. I do, however, admire Chris for his wit and love of the land. He survived years off of almost nothing and here I am having a hard time walking out in the snow with a huge parka, double layered socks, boots, gloves, scarf, and a hat.
ReplyDeleteI also read this book and absolutely loved it. I remember that this was one of the few books that I actually read ahead of what was scheduled for homework. I certainly couldn't relate exactly to how extreme his feelings were but I could a little. Rather than risking my life like he did, I simply went off to college to prove my independence. The storyline is great but I do agree with Brandon, did he really have to go to the extreme of going to Alaska unprepared?
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this book for a while after I saw a news piece relating to it, and now I want to read it even more! I've heard that McCandless drew inspiration from Henry David Thoreau and Walden which is the book that I chose to read. If they had similar ideals, McCandless may have left civilization (in addition to proving his independence/escaping something) because it was too much for him and he wanted the peace of the wilderness to think and understand himself.
ReplyDeleteI read this book a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. Alex seemed to have sensed something that others did not, and wanted to see the world before it changed anymore.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved this book and the movie. And I really enjoyed the connections you made to "Catcher in the Rye." You had posted that this book was very similar to the one I am reading, "The Legacy of Luna" and you are so right! While they have some underlying differences they do have some undeniable connections.
ReplyDeleteI read this in a high school AP English class and I loved it then and still love it. I remember talking about in class why this man just picked up and left. I think we can guess and guess all we want but he really embraced living off of the land, something that we no longer do and many of us wouldn't be capable of.
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