McCandless Relection (Jack Long)

When i finished "Into The Wild" by Jon Krakauer, I honestly thought that Chris McCandless was a confused, lost soul which ultamatley lead to his death. I considered him to be irrational, for I was unable to comprehend his insationable desire to spend his days after college as a drifter. To me it seems irresponcible and selfish to leave one's family and civiliation entirely to journey on one's personal endeavors. I strongly felt that Chris was not an enlightened man because he was unable to see life's treasures that he so easily left behind.

I tried to approach the McCandless presentation open-minded, I wanted to see where Chris may have derived his adventureous nature and piece together his reasoning for his famous excursion. He was depicted as an ordinary adolecent by his rebellious demeanor and athletics, but I am still not able to connect with when he changed into his character we see in into the wild. He was a bright young man with a promising future only to point his ambitions in to the direction of the wilderness. I do agree that there is something spiritual beyond words in being one with nature, but it is unwise to be without any form of communication and without the proper gear.

I did see Chris in a different light by listening to his parents, witnessing his upbringing made me realize that he was not as isolated as I originally thought. I do sense that there is a spiritual element in his adventure because he believed in what he was doing. He felt so strongly about his quest that the only thing that stoped him was his death. I still will never be able to identify with why he never looked back, why the love of his family dint not hinder him from leaving.