Chris Mccandless Philosophy

911 Words4 Pages
Everyone is influenced by something, even if we don’t consciously recognize it. It might be other people, history, or literature. You could pick any person on this planet and trace their choices back to some sort of influence. For example, Chris McCandless, the main character of Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, left home in order to hitchhike around the country and survive in the wilderness. Despite what many would say based upon his decisions, Chris was an intelligent and well-read man. He incorporated the ideas and philosophies of his favorite authors and their literary works, of which included both Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience and Walden and Leo Tolstoy’s The Three Questions, into his life. In Civil Disobedience, Henry David Thoreau…show more content…
Tolstoy writes near the end of the short story, “‘So [the wounded man] was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important business. Remember then; there is only one time that is important -- and that is now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power’” (Tolstoy). The hermit answers the King’s three questions, saying that the most important person is the one you’re with, your priority is to do good for the person you’re with, and the most important time is now. Live in the moment, because now is the only time you can control. Chris tells Jim Gallien in his truck just before he goes into the Alaskan wilderness saying, “‘I don’t want to know what time it is. I don’t want to know what day it is or where I am. None of that matters’” (Krakauer 7). Chris didn’t care about the date or time, because when you’re trying to survive in the wild, you are your only priority. You are the most important person. Now is the most important time because focusing on any other time means distraction, and distraction could mean death. It makes no difference when now is specifically. The Three Questions explains how you should live your life, and Chris took Tolstoy’s advice to heart by only focusing on
Show More
Related

  • Into The Wild Analysis

    889 Words  | 4 Pages

    lifestyle. Jon Krakaeur writes a compelling non-fiction story of a man in the name of Chris McCandless achieving his dreams while going against society, in Into the Wild. To bring about their dreams, one must follow a rigorous set of ideals.

    Read More

  • Transcendentalism: Into The Wild By Jon Krakauer

    590 Words  | 3 Pages

    5B 3 March 2015 Transcendentalism Transcendentalism is a philosophy where personal experience is enhanced by themes of nature and deity while defying society and materialism, rather than political or scientific evidence of logic. Transcendentalist uses nature to educate. Admiring Transcendentalist ideas was a young adventurer named Christopher McCandless, the main character in Jon Krakauer's novel Into the Wild. McCandless ventures throughout North America, following three main Transcendentalist

    Read More

  • Into The Wild Analysis

    964 Words  | 4 Pages

    non-fiction book “Into the Wild” Christopher McCandless goes out into the wild hoping to escape the past of his abusive father and find solitude in the wilderness. In this book, Chris is portrayed as a believer of idealism and physical endurance. He believed that pursuing our ideals and testing ourselves physically and mentally was a good way to learn more about ourselves. Inspired by his idealistic view, McCandless started his journey across America

    Read More

More about Chris Mccandless Philosophy

Open Document