“Into the Wild” Essay Example
“Into the Wild” Essay Example

“Into the Wild” Essay Example

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The novel "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer recounts Chris McCandless's brave expedition into the unfamiliar Alaskan wilderness. The story begins with the discovery of McCandless's body, serving as an entry point to explore his life and the events that led him to the wilderness, ultimately resulting in his premature death. Throughout the narrative, Krakauer investigates theories and motives behind McCandless's risky endeavor, revealing that he made reckless decisions leading to his demise. One such poor decision was venturing into Alaska without researching or considering potential outcomes. According to Krakauer, McCandless desired a new existence where he could fully immerse himself in unfiltered experiences but lacked understanding about the seriousness of his choices, resulting in starvation and tragedy. Prior to embarking on his journey into Alaska, McCandless took drastic measures like donating all his sa

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vings to charity, abandoning his car, and destroying all cash in his possession - embracing a completely different way of life. Unfortunately, after only four months in the wilderness, his lifeless body was discovered. Despite having an education and privileged background, this decision was undoubtedly foolish and reckless.Krakauer suggests that McCandless's search for meaning in life was driven by a lack of understanding of his true desires. McCandless approached life with a childlike innocence, allowing circumstances to shape his path. This approach was heavily influenced by romantic novels, particularly those written by Tolstoy and Thoreau, which portrayed an idealized version of life that McCandless took seriously and attempted to emulate. One example of this is his practice of burying money before entering cities and retrieving it on his way out, despite the clear imprudence of such actions. It is crucial t

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recognize that fictional novels should not be relied upon as guides for real-life situations.

Despite warnings against traveling alone, McCandless stubbornly pursued his passion for climbing and embarked on a risky adventure into the Alaskan wild with the goal of conquering the Devils Thumb—an enticing challenge described by Krakauer as "efforts... Despite being drawn towards this alluring dream, McCandless's lack of knowledge and recklessness ultimately led to his downfall. He failed to adequately prepare or gather information for the perilous journey ahead—neglecting the Boy Scout rule of being prepared—which drew criticism from locals in Alaska. Many questioned why he would embark on such a dangerous expedition without research or preparation, leading some to believe that he had lost his sanity.Despite the inherent risks and challenges of living alone in the harsh Alaskan wilderness, McCandless chose to pursue a wilderness life without proper preparation or research. This decision, driven by his desire to delve into his own soul rather than a genuine love for nature or exploration, ultimately led to his tragic demise. It is clear that McCandless acted foolishly due to his ignorance and the choices he made, as he could not satisfy his insatiable yearning for adventure and a life away from civilization.

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