Into the Wild discussion

As always, this is not a book report. Rather, it is a discussion about the major themes that emerged for me while reading “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer. If you’ve read the book or identify with any of the themes below, please let me know what you think in the comment section.

If you’ve read “Into the Wild” or seen the movie, you more than likely find yourself in one of two camps; those with great respect and envy for Chris (Alex) or those who believe he was ill prepared and selfish. I saw the movie long before ever flipping a page and as the credits rolled I found myself filled with admiration for Chris and his sacrifices. When I finished the book, I found myself shifting more toward the other camp, but not fully committing. That’s where I stand today; somewhere in the middle.

Chris’ gospel is complicated. A rejection of the modern world and its luxuries is a hard pill for most to swallow. Deconstructing what it means to be a member of a family and building life on your own terms is not something most of us are willing to do. Yet, Chris did all of these things and he paid the ultimate price. Instead of focusing on how he died, I spend my energy focusing on how his message can be applied to my own life.

When I finished the movie for the first time, I shifted my energy from being solely focused on the accumulation of wealth and possessions to amassing experiences. To this day, I still fail in this regard, but Chris' example is never far from my mind. I also firmly believe this life is meant to be shared and the joy of human existence can be found in experiencing the world through someone else’s eyes. Chris’ lonely death provided that lesson, but so did the beauty he experienced traveling around the American west. I’ve hiked alone. I’ve driven across the country alone. I’ve lived alone. With each and every single experience, I wished someone was standing by my side. Those moments and the awe I experienced seemed too big for one person to digest. Finally, Chris taught me parents are imperfect creatures. They are filled with faults and shortcomings. At their core, they are human beings. More often than not, we exalt and force them on a false pedestal. As we do, we forget their humanity. As I have grown older, I have learned to be more forgiving to my parents. More often than not, they did the best they could for me and my brothers.

"Into the Wild" is one of those books I believe should be required reading. I buy the book for a different person every year during the holidays. I think the lessons that can be learned from Chris are profound. He is no hero. He is no God. His life is merely an example of the deep questions I believe we should all be asking ourselves. As I devoured the book, I began asking myself questions about life, luxury, family, love, and experiences. If Chris' goal was to force us to examine those subjects in our own lives, then his mission has been accomplished. All around this country are people who have followed in his footsteps. I too once dreamed of being just as a brave. Ultimately, the decision seemed too radical, but the applicability to my own life still applies. Change on a grand scale wasn't required for me. You may be different. If that is the case, promise me a few things: let people know where you are going and call your mother.

I don't question his impulse to leave behind a world he felt was overly materialistic. At the same time, plenty of well-meaning people tried to give him advice, including a good many people who actually lived in Alaska and had some idea what he was setting himself up for. But so in love was Chris with the music in his own head he had no interest in the pedestrian concerns of those he considered beneath him. (My interpretation, of course; how could I possibly know what he was thinking?)

I've dealt with people like this before and they just drain the energy out of you.

Very compelling read. I enjoyed Krakauer's "Into Thin Air" and this is just as good. Will bring out the existential in you and question your own existence blighted by daily routine.

Into Thin Air was OK (maybe I'm just tired of the harrowing mountain mis-adventure) but Into the Wild remains one of my favorite books. I would agree - this should be required reading.

I understand Chris, but he was a misguided headstrong individual and that got him killed. I can almost see a younger, more idealized, version of myself doing this same stunt. Then again, I didn't, because it was crazy. Chris likely suffered from depression or bipolar disorder. when he was up he would be the life of the party and very charismatic, but when he was down, he would just go off on his own and not want to be around people. I don't think he liked people seeing that side of him.

There was a hole inside that he was trying to fill. He wanted to test himself knowing that failure was death. Knowing that, you would think that he would prepare himself more. He was either very naïve or somewhat suicidal.

Nathan, your last sentence is good advice ;-) Chris was adventurous and an independent thinker, and also a typical adolescent. You want to move out and explore and rebel. It's in the genes. Only some are too young and/or don't see the risks, or even make one mistake that turns out to be fatal. A tragedy ensues. Then there's an unknown corpse in a hut in a forest. Then in some cases there's a writer who writes a book about you, but you never knew that...

It seems that Chris was a victim of his own arrogance and ego, not that uncommon for someone his age. Had he survived his ordeal, one wonders what sort of life he would have pursued. Would he continue to be rebellious towards society, or would his near-death experience have humbled him in some ways and taught him a great deal about himself? Perhaps he would continue to find new challenges , to rebel against materialism in society, and to forge a new relationship and understanding with those around him. Sadly, we can only speculate.

I love Into the Wild and devoured over the course of two days. It's an excellent, educational book and the author has clearly thought quite a bit about Chris. I never saw the movie and probably never will (it doesn't seem like my cup of tea). I feel the need to say this because that probably influences my thoughts about this...

I don't see Chris as being selfish, foolish, or misguided - I see him as being very human. His entire quest to find something to satisfy that urge to create meaning that we all have is something I can relate to. That's what I think was the core of his desires - he wanted meaning. You can't find that in material possessions or the monotony of everyday life. Some would argue you can't find it anywhere. But everyone tries to find it in something. Chris thought that if he left everything behind, he would achieve a level of contentment most of us never experienced. He took a huge risk for that and he paid dearly for it. I don't judge him because I can easily see myself in his footsteps - I think being eighteen has something to do with that. Ask me in a decade, my thoughts may totally change and I might hate Chris for being a stupid kid who irrevocably hurt his loved ones, who knows?

When I wad doing my first trek in himalayas Hampta Pass I was referred to Into the Wild and Into Thin Air before the starting of the trek and I loved it.

Into the Wild is worth reading book, Anyone who is interested in trekking must give it a go.

In Jon Krakauer’s book, Into the Wild, I was immensely caught off guard at how the story was told, as it had jumped around quite a bit, only to loop back and go into further detail about one of Christopher's adventures. I also liked that the author followed in Mr. McCandless’s journey and met with each person he had come across, to get insight into what the young explorer's life was like. Alexander Supertramp, the new version of Chris that was ready to wander, had stuck by his morals and his beliefs throughout the whole story. And even though his journey led to his demise I don’t think he would have changed a single thing because he was happy, wild, and free.
There really is nothing I disliked about this novel other than the fact that it was super boring to me at times, and then interesting and eye-opening other times. His death was sad but predictable, considering some of the risks he took.

Into the Wild is worth reading book, I read it during my Trek to Hampta pass

Brianna wrote: "I think the knee-jerk reaction to ridicule people who risk their lives searching for meaning and purpose is really just a defense of our own cowardice and passivity. We cling to the idea that these..." Thank you for your compassionate response. I think people are missing the obvious. Chris was a product of his time, as am I. I completely relate to his journey. Many young people of this era were in search of something spiritual, nebulous, not quite certain of what it was, who they might become. It's incredibly easy (and lazy) to sit back and judge Chris' mistakes at this late date. He lived the way he wanted and Id challenge anyone with a cell phone/ social media kinda life to be as bold. Excellent book by a favorite author and one of the few times the movie lived up to the book.

I wholeheartedly agree.

One of the best Chadar Trek organizer.

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I agree. I read this book back in the 11th grade (it was assigned reading), we watched the film and the teacher played the soundtrack too. It was well worth reading. A few months after we finished this book, I went out to the bookstore and bought it. I read it every now and again.

I recommend it to people too.

Top 5 favorite book of mine. It had a powerful effect on how i viewed things. Now that I'm a parent I view Chris' actions a lot differently than I did when i was younger. Still moved by this book but in different ways.