Classic Chris

"Because he had no topographic map, however, he had no way of conceiving that salvation was so close at hand" (Krakuaer 174).

Topic: Travel Advice

As said above, Chris had yet again set his "amazing" journey at a fault. Chris had apparently gotten rid of his map purely because he wanted to find an unknown area to claim his own. However, the map he had had no uncharted spots for him to venture off to like he had wanted. No map by that time had any blank spots. So his solution to that issue was to just completely get rid of the map. "In his own mind, if nowhere else, the terra would thereby remain incognita," Krakuaer explains. Chris really was just a kid. I think he definitely overestimated his survival skills. Earlier in the book, Chris is said to have had a love for nature and he had been camping and hiking a lot with his family. He probably thought he could handle himself out in the wild with his technically little experience. Not only did he get rid of his map, but he got rid of most of his supplies. All he was left with by the time he got to Alaska was a literal library of books, the jacket and boots he got from Gallien, a rifle, rice, and the map he eventually threw away. He could have killed some animals for meat, but he was so against killing another living being and you cant be like that if you literally brought nothing with you. However, he did eventually kill moose. But without the skills to properly store the meat, the meat eventually went bad and he was back to square one. I honestly think Chris could have survived out in Alaska, if only he had kept all of that supplies he had earlier in his journey. However his ignorance killed him instead.

Taking The Road Less Traveled

"'The whole idea was to lose our bearings, to push ourselves into unknown territory. Then we'd run at a slightly slower pace until we found a road we recognized and race home again at full speed. In a certain sense that's how Chris lived his entire life'" (Krakauer 112)

Topic: Inspiration or Fool?

          Everyone has those days where we feel like we just want to quit and sadly sometimes we do. But Chris McCandless was no quitter. Chris saw the world differently than a lot of people. He saw opportunities and light even in the darkest times. A lot of times when he found himself stumped, he was quick to improvise and make something new out of it, make it his own. However, this being said, he was also stubborn and almost selfish. He ran away a lot, especially when he felt a relationship growing too close. It was as if he was afraid of commitment. Being the nonconformist he was, I think he was afraid to give into affection from the people he met along the way to Alaska. I think this was the way it was was because he did not like being told what to do. Everything always had to be his way. He especially did not like being told what to do by his parents and the people he met throughout his journey were almost like parental figures to him. They were kind, but he did not want to settle because he did not want to have to conform. He pulled a lot of people in, but at the same time he pushed a lot of people away. Chris felt like he could take care of himself and be fine on his own. And even to the very end he really did push himself into the unknown, but maybe a little too far, because he did not come home this time.

Inspiration or Fool?

"You are wrong if you think joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we may experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living" (Krakauer 57).

Topic: Finding Happiness

        Happiness can be hard to find, especially in times of sadness, anger, or confusion. However,  Chris McCandless explains how easy it actually is in a letter to Ronald Franz. McCandless, being that he strives to be his own person, his own keeper, gives the advice to Franz, after Franz had told him that he wants him to be his grandson, that he does not need someone else to make him happy. Happiness can be found anywhere, but only if we are brave enough to break the social construct of  approval. The only people we need approval from is ourselves. McCandless speaks in the letter about how scared people are of taking opportunities sometimes because it would mean a lack of security or fear of the unknown. But how are you supposed to know if you do not try for yourself? The only think keeping us from finding happiness is ourselves. Like McCandless said, happiness is in everything and anything around us. It is there, but the only way to be fully aware of this happiness is to emerce yourself into nature and the world around you. Make the world your own. This is your life. Live it.