What Is The Difference Between Into The Wild And Transcendentalism

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” - John Dewey. Chris McCandless saw no potential in going to college because he thought it was a waste of time. He did end up going to Emory University but it didn’t help him accomplish much after he graduated. Chris did not represent true Transcendentalism when he went into the woods completely unprepared. His intuition did not lead to knowledge but instead perished his body and ruined his family by leaving them in a blind spot. Jim Gallien picked up a hitchhiker four miles out of Fairbanks. This hitchhiker happened to be Chris, and “Gallien thought his scheme was foolhardy (Krakauer 5).” Chris had a single ten pound bag of rice, cheap work boots, and a .22 caliber rifle. He didn’t have any of the essentials like an ax, compass, snow accessories, etc. Chris thought he would be fine with what he had. The difference between Thoreau and Chris is that Thoreau “went to the woods because he wished to live deliberately (Walden).” He wanted to, “live deep and suck out all the marrow of life (Walden).”
Chris needed to adequately prepare for the conditions he knew he would face. Chris took what Thoreau tried to advocate and poorly executed it. In Walden, it talks of simple living but not living in a foolish matter. Throughout McCandless’s travels he sent numerous post cards to Wayne, and Jan and Bob to let them know how he was doing.
Thoreau didn’t believe this was an important piece. He could “easily do without the post office (Walden).” McCandless could drop off the face of the planet for some people but for others he had to stay connected. Thoreau also makes it a point that you should know when time is done there. That there are “several more lives to live, and you should not spare any more time for that one (Thoreau).” Jim Gallien didn’t tell the state troopers about Chris because he thought he would get hungry and be smart, and just walk out. Chris’s intuition for forestry came from what people had told him and from books he had. His intuition also should have told him it was time to leave a lot sooner than he tried. Also, if he had correct tools he could have found another calm water channel to make it
out. Chris did not show Transcendentalism when he chose to just live without using intuition on his circumstances. Although Thoreau shows strong beliefs in simplifying, even he draws strong boundaries. Chris had a rapport with people that was built off his intelligence and personality. However, he was keen to the idea of his trip and didn’t think of the logistics that should have gone with it. Being out in the wild may have taught Chris a lot, but he also needed to know a lot before entering. “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” - John Dewey.