Chris McCandless:Hero or Cautionary tale?
Do you think that Chris is a hero? Chris’s McCandless’s journey was really
controversial.Many people thought that he is not a hero because he was
unprepared and didn't tell his family how he is and where he is located.But some
people thought that he is a hero because of his independence and beliefs.
How is Chris a hero?In some people's perspectives Chris was heroic because of
independence.Chris McCandless's journey demonstrates his strong desire for
autonomy and self-reliance. He rejected the material comforts and safety nets
provided by modern society, believing they hindered genuine freedom and self-
discovery. Chris wanted to prove that he could survive on his own, detached from
the support structures most people depend on, such as money, family, or
technology.Quote from the text-"I don't need money. It makes people cautious."
Next reason by which people thought that Chris is heroic is the fact that he
ignored society.Chris McCandless chose to reject society because he believed it
was focused on the wrong things, like money, power, and material possessions.
He thought these values stopped people from living true, meaningful lives. By
giving away all his savings and even burning the little money he had left, Chris
showed that he wanted to live free from society’s control.Instead of following the
traditional path of getting a job, making money, and settling down, Chris decided
to create his own journey. For Chris, true happiness didn’t come from society's
expectations—it came from living simply and connecting with nature.Quote from
the text-"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take
the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of
security, conformity, and conservatism."
How is Chris not a hero?
Many people also think that Chris is the opposite of a hero because of his
relationship with his family.Since the start of his journey Chris didn't talk or even
send a letter to his parents.His relationship with his parents were not really great
because of the past of his father and his character.But still leaving his family
without them knowing it is not an act of a hero.Chris also didn't tell anything to his
sister Carine which he had good relations with.Chris caused his family a lot of
pain when he left without telling them. His parents and sister loved him and didn’t
know where he was or if he was safe. They were very worried and heartbroken
when he didn’t talk to them for years.His sister, Carine, was especially close to
Chris and felt very hurt when he left. His parents, Walt and Billie, couldn’t
understand why he didn’t say goodbye or explain why he wanted to leave.With all
of that we can consider Chris as not a hero.Quote-"It’s hard to not feel
abandoned by someone you love so much." – Carine McCandless
Another reason for Chris not being a hero is that he was unprepared for his
journey.Chris McCandless went into the Alaskan wilderness without the right
tools or knowledge to survive. He didn’t bring enough supplies, like proper food,
clothing, or a detailed map, and this led to his death. Many people think his lack
of preparation was reckless.For example, Chris brought only a small rifle, a bag
of rice, and very little survival gear. He didn’t bring a map, which could have
helped him find a nearby bridge to cross the river when he got trapped. Without
it, he was stuck and couldn’t escape.Chris also didn’t know enough about food in
the wild. He ate wild potato seeds, not realizing they were poisonous, which
made him weak and sick. He also didn’t have the tools to store the meat he
hunted, so much of it went bad, leaving him with little to eat.Quote-"He didn’t
have a map, and I think that was deliberate." – Jon Krakauer
Conclusion.My opinion about Chris being a hero or not is mixed.But I think that
Chris is not a hero just because of his relationship with his family and how rude
he was to them.I admire Chris for him being independent but I still think that
family is way more important than that.
