Examples Of Transcendentalism In Into The Wild

“Into the Wild”, a novel written by Jon Krakauer, focuses on the adventures of Chris McCandless, a young man who set out on a journey to be far as possible away from civilization. Many individuals have multiple contemplations on McCandless’s lifestyle and behavioral actions. Although numerous of people criticized McCandless as a “nutcase,” a “sociopath,” or an “outcast,” Krakauer saw something more in McCandless. Krakauer identified McCandless as an adventurous soul who, in my opinion, should be admired for his passion for nature and pursuit to find the truth.

Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild, describes the adventure of Christopher McCandless, a young man that ventured into the wilderness of Alaska hoping to find himself and the meaning of life. He undergoes his dangerous journey because he was persuade by of writers like Henry D. Thoreau, who believe it is was best to get farther away from the mainstreams of life. McCandless’ wild adventure was supposed to lead him towards personal growth but instead resulted in his death caused by his unpreparedness towards the atrocity nature.

Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild" presents a very complicated characterization of Chris McCandless, a young man who follows through on a journey into the Alaskan wilderness. Krakauer's analysis looks into McCandless's motivations and actions, offering insights into his character and the meaning behind his adventure. While Krakauer suggests that McCandless's journey was driven by a desire for self-discovery and escape from social interventions, I find myself in partial agreement with this analysis, recognizing McCandless's honorable intentions but also acknowledging the recklessness of his actions. Krakauer describes McCandless as a young idealist seeking freedom and authenticity in a world dominated by materialism and conformity. McCandless rejects his wealthy upbringing and embarks on

Jon Krakauer, fascinated by a young man in April 1992 who hitchhiked to Alaska and lived alone in the wild for four months before his decomposed body was discovered, writes the story of Christopher McCandless, in his national bestseller: Into the Wild. McCandless was always a unique and intelligent boy who saw the world differently. Into the Wild explores all aspects of McCandless’s life in order to better understand the reason why a smart, social boy, from an upper class family would put himself in extraordinary peril by living off the land in the Alaskan Bush. McCandless represents the true tragic hero that Aristotle defined. Krakauer depicts McCandless as a tragic hero by detailing his unique and perhaps flawed views on society,

Chris McCandless believed in many of the teachings of Henry David Thoreau in his life. As stated in Into the Wild, several transcendental books were found on the bus McCandless stayed in during his Alaskan trip. McCandless’s books show his beliefs and his dedication to transcendental keys.

Transcendentalism by definition means to live a rational life with nature and becoming one entity that rules over itself. That seems difficult though because living in this day an age without having to worry about anything or about anyone else is like asking for forever lasting gum. In the book Into The Wild, Chris McCandless tries to do just that and succeeds. While on his journey to Alaska, Chris becomes the embodiment of transcendentalism. He embraces multiply of the qualities of transcendentalism but there were three that were the most prominent throughout the story. He believed in living closer to nature, relied on self trust and self reliance, and also he insists on breaking from traditions like government or paying taxes like most

Transcendentalism is a religious, philosophical, literary, and social movement of the nineteenth century. Essentially, this movement was based upon the ideals of the “sixth sense,” nature, and non-conformity, as well as individualism, intuition, idealism, imagination, and inspiration. A few of the works featured in the transcendental unit include Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, Song of Myself by Walt Whitman, and Walden by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The primary focus of this essay is to provide an opinion on a strikingly debatable topic; Whether or not Christopher McCandless, hero of Krakauer’s Into the Wild, was a true transcendentalist. Despite the bold actions of Chris McCandless on his daring Alaskan odyssey, he turned out to be far from a true transcendentalist, failing to meet the definition of transcendentalism, being solely concerned with himself, and acting out of revenge rather than seeking self discovery - nothing more than a childish suicidal rebel.

In Into the Wild, McCandless portrays just how important transcendentalism is to him. The first transcendental belief Chris McCandless encounters is simplicity. For example, in Into the Wild, Krakauer says, “Then in a gesture that would have done both Thoreau and Tolstoy proud…- a pathetic stack of fives and ones and twenties – and put a match to it. One hundred twenty-three dollars reduced to ash and smoke.” (Krakauer 29) This shows McCandless wants to live deliberately. He believes so deeply in transcendentalism that he doesn’t need anything from his life before ‘Alaska’. Just him and nature. This relates to Thoreau’s quote from

Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that has major themes of nature and spirituality while going against society and materialistic things. Christopher McCandless is a Transcendentalist in every sense of the word. The young adventurer, who is the main character in Jon Krakauer's nonfiction text Into the Wild, travels throughout North America, following three main Transcendentalist ideals: the disconnection of society, a minimalist lifestyle, and a reverence for both God and nature.

“Wilderness appealed to those bored or disgusted with man and his works” (Roderick Nash). Chris McCandless, a modern transcendentalist, sent out on an adventure to find his true self in the wilderness of the North American continent. In the two years he was away, he met many individuals he called his friends and explored the extent of the American West. However, Chris was found dead in an abandoned bus on the Stampede Trail in the deep wilderness of Alaska in early September 1992. Chris believed he could live his life without the disruption of others. Henry David Thoreau believed that individuals can strive for themselves without government interruption. Chris McCandless, in Jon Krakauer’s documentary Into the Wild, believes that living off the land and life to its fullest without help from others compares to Henry David Thoreau’s beliefs in his writing “Civil Disobedience.”

The gripping tale of a young man who leaves all that he has and goes to live amidst the natural world, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer showcases the two years Christopher McCandless had spent journeying throughout the United States before his unfortunate death. After graduating from Emory University in 1990, McCandless disconnected with all of his past relations and abandoned the majority of his possessions. McCandless’ decisions either seem extremely unwise or extremely courageous. He had a comfortable life with few worries yet he still chose to toss it all away and venture into unknown territories. What many wonder is why he would do such an irrational thing. Maybe, McCandless’ was simply trying to run away from his perception of reality.

What is transcendentalism? How is Christopher J. McCandless a transcendentalist? Transcendentalism is a philosophy, and a way of life. It consists of being a non-conformist, becoming one with nature, and rejecting materialism. Throughout Jon Krakauer’s novel, Into The Wild, McCandless happens to achieve all of the above. “Whoso would be a man, must be a non-conformist” (Emerson). He defied society, lived in the wild, and never cared about “things”. He existed off the land in Alaska, the west coast, and even Mexico. McCandless did not want anything else in life but happiness; he found this in the wilderness.

Throughout history, people encounter a stage in their lives where they feel the necessity to assert their independence and challenge their abilities and self-worth. In the book, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, the author shares his understanding and kinship with the main character, Chris McCandless, a young man who thrusts himself into a life of solitude and a harsh environment during his search for meaning to his life. Krakauer depicts himself and McCandless as modern day transcendentalists with an abundance of competency, resourcefulness and skills as naturalists. Although McCandless chose to experience a life of solitude and face the hazards that nature presents, his lack of preparedness prevented him from completing his endeavor successfully.

In detail,One day a Boy named Louie Zamperini had problems but with help or advice from his brother and he said “If you can take, it you can make it”(Hillenbrand). This statement went with everything he has done throughout his life. Louie took this advice and he won at the olympics and then world war 11 was happening and louie decide to join and then he was captured and was now a prisoner of war. He just kept that advice with him and he survived after all that he said there were a lot of times he want to die but he didn't and followed the advice his brother gave him. While reading this book Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer their was one person that is just like louie is chris mcCandless because chris early on shows he can take on when challenges him and proves it to himself. To sum up,Chris McCandless follows the transcendentalism life because chris went independently on his own,He rebels against his own parents, Chris shows he follows what he loves to do or wants to do.

Natural transcendence is a call that not all people feel, however for those who do hear it, it is nearly impossible to ignore. The great outdoors represent so much to so many and is a gift that so many reap the benefits of. Some people like the danger and power of nature, while others like the placid serenity that allows them to be fully at peace. The novel Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer is all about transcendence through nature and the lessons learned through that type of eternal peace. The novel is about a young man, Chris McCandless, who after completing his education and seemed to be set up for future success, decided to leave everything behind and travel into the Alaskan wilderness in search for more meaning and connection to nature. On his journey to the wild he encountered many different people that taught him many lessons about other perspectives and lenses for which to view life, however these new connections he made were not enlightening enough and he still chose to venture into the Alaskan wilderness. Mccandless traveled into the wilderness and left his life behind because he did not feel as though the traditional world was a close enough connection to total transcendence and inner peace. Reading Into The Wild brought me an appreciation for the knowledge and developing experiences gained by separating oneself from society to experience and appreciate nature.