EARNING THE RIGHT

Chris McCandless‘s was a mysterious and unique individual. Not many or possibly anyone could say they could live off the Alaskan Bush for three months with what little equipment and supplies he humbly chose to work with. Although some friends warned McCandless “living in the bush ain’t no picnic,” and critics thought he was ill prepared and just out for an adventure he knew nothing about, Jon Krakauer thought differently. After spending an extensive amount of time trying to back track everywhere McCandless had been within the last couple of years of his life Krakauer showed great devotion and dedication to letting the world know McCandless’s story. Krakauer primarily uses McCandless’s journal entries, photographs, and books to try to gain a deeper understanding of the young man. I find it amazing Krakauer being a journalist in Alaska would not go directly to the site where McCandless died but, traveled all over the country to find out who this individual was and his purpose or meaning for going to Alaska. Krakauer found McCandless to be a riveting and intellectual human being. However misunderstood McCandless was Krakauer, wanted to prove that McCandless was important and not crazy. In Krakauer’s book there are some chapters dedicated to men with similar stories to McCandless such as Everett Ruess, an artist and wanderer who went missing in Utah, who did similar things and had a similar background as McCandless. Krakauer defends McCandless by comparing his personalities to Jack London, Leo Tolstoy, and Henry David Thoreau as well as himself recounting being a young man with his own Alaskan adventure on Devil’s Thumb. The people Krakauer encountered while back tracking McCandless were all impacted by him in a way I’m sure they will never forget and will miss him deeply. Wayne Westerberg, who became a dear friend and father type to McCandless, was among them. Westerberg was the exact opposite of McCandless’s biological father which he did not see eye to eye with so I didn’t find it unusual he was drawn to him. Also Jan Burres, a free-spirit, wanderer herself (with the exception she wandered with her home on wheels) took interest to McCandless. Her maternal instincts and missing her own son pleaded with McCandless to let his family know he was fine but her attempt seemed futile. Finally Ronald Franz, the old man who wanted to adopt McCandless. Franz never got the chance spend time with his own family who subsequently died while he was away in the military, wanted to fill the emptiness he felt from his loss. I can see why all of these strangers he encountered would be affected by him so much. He was different but, in a good way. McCandless made great conversation and asked lots of questions about and to each individual which can make a person feel really good about them self. Christopher Johnson McCandless made very odd decisions in part of his upbringing. McCandless graduated from college just like what was expected of him when deep down he did not think a degree should perceive what a man is worth. Material objects and the way society was did not have enough meaning because of betrayals he found out of his father and he wanted to isolate himself from all the deception and those who would try to deceive him. So he destroyed all his identification, money and traveled all over the country living an honest life embracing the beauty that so many don’t take the time to notice anymore. McCandless would find out that his life of seclusion was not what he expected as he scribbled “happiness is only real when shared” and returning to civilization can be just as rewarding if you’re surrounded by the right people. Although nature is rather majestic McCandless unintentionally underestimated her will and power. Thus, lead to his death on the bus in the Alaskan Bush. I understand the impulse to not want to be a conformist and live off the land but, I don’t think I would ever take it to the extreme McCandless did. Krakauer resourced all the research and interviews he could and brought it to a close he, and McCandless’s parents flew to the location where his body was found. I believe Krakauer earned his right to be part of that moment with the McCandless’. This random journalist took interest in a young man with quite a tale and decided to do more than talk about it. I don’t believe his intentions had any malice or some way to proclaim fame from finding out more about McCandless but, he really wanted let this young man’s voice be heard so to speak and give his critics an alternative way to perceive him. Also without Krakauer it’s possible that McCandless’s family may not have ever known what happened to their boy still today and he helped bring this closure for them even with the tragic outcome. If I had a family member do what McCandless did I would hope that someone like Krakauer would be in the mix. Krakauer gained a better understanding of the young man from actually experiencing and observing what McCandless observed in his final days. The experience left him feeling he could have known McCandless and had a great respect for him because they shared common interest and woes such as the wild and a stern father. Into the Wild is an inspirational story and outlook on life that should be expressed and known. As it was said before many critics thought it was witless of McCandless to embark on such a dangerous adventure in which they don’t fully understand the reasoning but, this insight might gain at least their appreciation or acceptance. People do mysterious things all the time which don’t bring up a fuss, so why should McCandless’s story be any different from the next?