Passage Analysis

Chris McCandless doesn’t navigate his life through strict reason: “If we admit that human life can be ruled by reason, the all possibility of life is destroyed” (87). Reason is the mental power concerned with forming judgments, though reason is necessary, the quote suggests that reason cannot dictate one’s life. The possibility of life is exemplified by the triumphant joy in which one gets from unforgettable experiences, the experiences in which Chris McCandless cherished. The quote emphasizes that although reason provides one with security and safety, it is that in which one must risk to find the true meaning of life; the bliss in life comes from our encounters with new experiences. The quote indicates that Chris McCandless decided to follow his spirit without hesitation; he dedicated the remainder of his life to the trill of adventure

                Joseph Campbell, an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, gave emphasis to the idea of following your bliss. Campbell’s idea has relevance to the main theme of Into The Wild through Chris McCandless intensions when stepping foot into the wilderness north of Mc.Kinley. Chris McCandless understood if he subscribed to the idea of following his bliss he would live a life of exactly that. Chris McCandless modifies his reason in order to live freely: “I wanted movement and not a calm course of existence. I wanted excitement and danger…” (15) Chris McCandless is an aesthetic voyager who gave up everything of value to climb Alaska’s interior.

Chris McCandless begins on his odyssey with high expectations regarding his enlightenment: “It is the experiences, the memories, the great triumphant joy of living to the fullest extent in which real meaning is found. God it’s great to be alive! Thank you. Thank you” (61). Chris McCandless unaware of his end result assumed his mental and physical strength alone could protect him in the harshest circumstances. Yet in actuality, he was killed because of his lack of reason, illustrating irony. Thus, demonstrating indirect characterization, this quote indicates that Chris McCandless is a determined yet fearless explorer.