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.