Into The Wild: Chris Mccandless As A Transcendentalist

Although Chris McCandless is in many ways viewed as a transcendentalist, by criteria, he consistently contradicts himself throughout his Alaskan journey of self-realization in Into the Wild. Transcendentalism can be portrayed by three main characteristics. One trait is the notion of a prioritization of the individual. Another trait includes the concept of intelligence commencing with self-knowledge derived from experience and mistakes. The last criterion of a transcendentalist is that one must thoroughly understand him or herself as an individual in order to achieve in personal happiness. McCandless attempts to emulate his literary inspirations such as Thoreau and Tolstoy by venturing alone into the wild Alaskan frontier with the goal of achieving a sense of self-actualization, but he realizes during his trek that his expectations do not fulfill him as a being.

Even though he and many others view McCandless as a modern day transcendentalist, even before his voyages he is too selfless and considerate of others to view himself as the center of his existence. His
Chris gives up all of his luxuries in life such as his home, car, family life, college education, and money to accomplish a sense of what he firmly believes will bring him happiness. He goes through extreme measures, all to fulfill his dream, only to realize that “Happiness only real when shared,”(Krakauer 189). Chris realizes towards the end of his life that he has no one to share his eye-opening experiences with.

While Chris McCandless firmly believes that he emulates Thoreau in being a transcendentalist, he falls short of the demanding expectations before him. Ultimately, Chris realized his life held more meaning than imitating his literary heroes and that he was an extremely intellectual and spiritual individual in the final days of his