Into The Wild

(Appendix, 6)

I. Overview

Sometimes true stories make the best films. This was definitely the case for the film, “Into the Wild.” Chris McCandless Led a life of responsibility and structure until graduating from Emory University in 1990. He then gave away his reaming college savings of $24,000 that was originally given by his parents, to OXFAM International. He hit the road and left behind worldly possessions during a journey around North America.

During school he was an excellent student and graduated Emory with honors as well as a successful athletic career. In high school he was the cross country captain and motivated his teammates to run against the corrupt ways of society. He had a younger sister and the two were the result of an affair that would later turn into a troubled marriage. They had siblings from their father’s previous marriage whose existence was kept secret for many years. The parents were very successful yet could not find happiness together. They offered to send Chris to Harvard with a new car so he could continue his education before he left.

II. The Story

1. A Summary

He started heading west with $500 in his pocket and ended up in Lake Mead, Arizona in July. He was in a flash flood rendering his car useless so he left it. He spent time in Northern California and hooked up with a hippie couple traveling on the road for a while before heading to Eastern South Dakota in September. He worked for a farmer there before heading back to the Southwest. Along the way he kayaked a section of the Colorado that was against the law and followed the river all the way to Mexico where it cascaded into a maze of irrigation canals. He met up with the hippie couple again in an old torn down military facility called ‘slab city’ just north of Mexicali in December of 91. The next encounter was during a stay in the Anza Borrego Desert in New Mexico. He met an old widower who tried to influence Chris into staying. He was un-swayed and the man offered all the help he could to get him to Alaska despite his disposition. In March of 92 he finally set out for Alaska.

2. A Cold Trail

Police notified his parents in September of 91 that they had found Chris’ car and believed it was abandoned, giving hope that he was still alive. They hired a private detective to find him but it was too late. Chris had given up all forms of identification and was going by a different name coined by the 1908 novel, Autobiography of a Super-Tramp, written by William Henry Davies, one of his favorite authors. His new self proclaimed name was Alexander Supertramp.

3. Change of Heart

During a stay in L.A. he seems to have a change of heart about the whole situation. He is harassed at the border about not having any i.d. and later asks a desk clerk at a mission about the method of acquiring one. He then asks for a bed as well and checks in under his alias, Alexander Supertramp. After checking in he leaves for unknown reasons and stops outside of a bar to gaze upon the socialites. He sees a young man in a suit and tie and envisions him as himself. This yuppie version he sees motivates him the way he was motivated by his parent’s offer of a new car. He promptly checks out of the mission and never looks back. He had talked to each person he met about someday going to Alaska to live in the wild and referred to it as an ‘Alaskan Odyssey.’

(Appendix, 7)

4. The Last Interaction

A man named James Gallien gave Chris a ride from Fairbanks, Alaska in April of 1992 to the head of Stamped Trail where he set out on his adventure. Chris found an abandoned bus along the trail near Denali National Park where he stayed for approximately 200 days. His supplies included a .22 caliber rifle, 10lbs of rice, a book on local flora and fauna, limited camping supplies, and a pair of rubber boots given to him by Gallien. The bus was left by a mining company in the 50’s as a hunting outpost.

(Appendix, 3)

5. The End

After a few months of fulfilling his ‘Odyssey,’ he began to hike back and was stopped by a much higher waters in the river that what he previously passed. He was now locked in with winter approaching. Shortly after this he passed away in late August. Hunters found his body after a couple weeks and it weighed only 67 lbs. The cause of death is thought to be starvation yet a few other theories exist such as the one in the movie with the poisonous potato root. During his time there he kept a journal and the last entry included a poem by Robinson Jeffers torn from its publication, titled "Wise Men in Their Bad Hours":

Death's a fierce meadowlark: but to die having made
Something more equal to centuries
Than muscle and bone, is mostly to shed weakness.
The mountains are dead stone, the people
Admire or hate their stature, their insolent quietness,
The mountains are not softened or troubled
And a few dead men's thoughts have the same temper.

This gives the impression he realized that he made a mistake and added to the poem, "I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL!"

In addition to this there was a note on the bus that read;
“S.O.S. I need your help. I am injured, near death, and too weak to hike out of here. I am all alone, this is no joke. In the name of God, please remain to save me. I am out collecting berries close by and shall return this evening. Thank you, Chris McCandless. August?”

Map of Chris’ Journey
(Appendix, 1)

III. Society

1. Chris’ View

Chris was an intelligent man, and could see the under pinning’s of society and how we have become our own victim. There are so many things wrong with it that no one can pretend to have answers. Everyone who goes about their life in ignorance and obliviousness to what has taken place in the past that enables them to enjoy their life style, adds fuel to a fire of disdain for someone troubled by this irony. Many of these things happened long ago but are similar to events such as the war on terrorism and global warming that continue to take place.

2. Environmental Problems

The environmental issues we face today are being brought to our attentions more and more everyday. Global warming is the main topic used as a catalyst for gaining attention, but the underlying issues causing the problem, are far from new. Recycling has been taught in the school systems for at least two decades now and little to no actions are being taken towards this lifestyle change. Consumerism is higher here than anywhere else in the world and the way of life in regards to pace, gets faster and faster every year. The result of this pace is similar to government spending, in that each creates more numerous and much bigger problems. The population has doubled in the last fifty years creating an even greater need for conservation and an eco-minded government. The only likely way to change the current throw-away society mindset is by creating policy and enforcing it requiring recycling and similar steps towards reducing harmful effects of society towards the environment.

3. War

The current war on terror has damaged the opinion of the U.S. on the forefront as well as worldwide. George W. Bush said the reason for the invasion of Iraq was that they possessed “Weapons of Mass Destruction.” No such weapons were found and many people question his true intentions and disprove of US involvement. Many people believe that a person vendetta of revenge was at the root of the strike. Both George Sr. and Jr. went to war in the Middle East and many believe it’s due to their financial interests such as oil. Nonetheless, terrorism has decreased since the beginning of ‘The War on Terror,’ but the cost in USD is higher than any other war to date and the current objective has now turned into determining if the newly arranged democracy is stable enough to withdrawal from. People have begun to lose faith in the purpose of the current war and favor an immediate withdrawal.

A. A New Found Patriotism

For soldiers who lost their life and those injured, it is unfair to them that the purpose and reason for this war has become obsolete. When 911 took place the country united and came together in a way that may not be rivaled in the last century (other than actions such as the labor Unions forming after the Depression). The unity is starting to fail though due to the current presidential campaign pitting everyone against each other in a near 50/50 split on what action is best. The current recession has now taken lead in the debate topics though with everyone worried about

4. The Recession

Historically speaking, the current economic situation isn’t that bad. As a society we have become spoiled and accustomed to a way of life that makes us inflexible and reluctant to adapt to change. Everyone is looking for an easy way out and the government is being proactive in their involvement by bailing out many financial institutions reflecting a socialist type of policy rather than a democracy. China has seen this action as a weakness of capitalism and many now fear that the system will not work there.

Americans need to buckle down and the government needs to let the economy right itself. One of the major models of capitalism shows that there will be a depression occurring every 70 years and this one is right on schedule. The current Federal Reserve chairman, Ben Bernanke, spent the majority of his life studying the Great Depression, how it happened and why; yet shortly after being appointed the economy is headed into another one. Not to say that is his fault, it just shows that the fate of our economy is beyond the control of government. The National Debt continues to skyrocket and with the major bailouts taking place, it is getting even worse.

5. Conclusion

There is definitely a snowball effect in place here that even global warming cannot stop! The fate of this nation cannot be predicted but no one seems to care what happens. The same downward spiral happens in Washington no matter what party is governing, and meanwhile you have other countries looking at the U.S. as a role model of success. Both of the current candidates preach about how each has Roosevelt mentality, one Teddy and the other Franklin. The two Roosevelt’s were presidents during much more optimistic times when it was possible to make a positive influence on the future. Today, a president has the ability to make positive influences, but only if it’s in the interest of those who pay the bills. Most special interest groups that are involved with environmental issues don’t have the right type of pull or enough notoriety in the White House to make a substantial difference.

It seems the only time a change is made is when it becomes a necessity. This isn’t how either of the Roosevelt’s worked. Everything today seems to be about popularity and is probably a byproduct of the democratic system. China is emerging as a new free-market society and will eventually be the new world economic leader. The U.S. cannot sustain it’s over consumption and greedy lifestyle at the current level for long because there will be no one to bail us out.

Perhaps something will happen that brings about a time of unity like never before and possibly a level of positive change that inspires hope and security for new generations.

IV. Chris McCandless’ ‘Alaskan Odyssey’

1. Motivation

While there is much to concern someone today about the U.S. society as a whole, during the events in the film there wasn’t much to rebel against. The problems he faced were mostly on a personal and on an emotional level. He did see faults in modern society, but he mainly blamed the mainstream materialism for the corruption of society. His distaste for this is shown many times, but perhaps the best examples are the suit and tie version of himself that he envisions at the bar L.A. and the dissatisfaction he displays when his parents offer to buy him a new car.

He was an idealist who decided that rebellion was the answer. Many people feel powerless towards the current socio-problems in the world and take no stand. Chris’s stand was that he would not give in to it. This was the ultimate freedom. He was happiest without money and altered human contact with times of solitude. The authors that influenced him, Jack London, Leo Tolstoy, William Henry Davies and Henry David Thoreau, inspired these actions greatly.

2. Planning

When James Gallien picked up Chris outside of Fairbanks, he noted the small amount of gear that he carried. The idea was to live in the wild for a few months and Gallien wondered about the sanity of Chris and the intentions of the trip. Perhaps Chris was just another impulsive Jack London fan wanting to live out a half-baked fantasy he thought. After three hours with Chris he decided to help him in anyway possible. He had this power over everyone he met.

While in South Dakota he got advice for smoking meat in non-traditional ways to the Alaskan wilderness that failed him when he killed a moose. He described the event in his journal as the greatest tragedy of his life.

A. McCandless Phenomenon

After the media attention, a Ranger in the area reported about what he calls the ‘McCandless Phenomenon.’ Mostly young men who travel to the area to test their will in an unforgiving area where rescue is unlikely and locations are not easily accessed. He claims that Chris’s planning was ridiculous mainly due to the fact that he didn’t even have a map. There is a tram that crosses the river just ¼ mile away that would have saved his life. He also criticizes the lack of general knowledge Chris had about the area and ultimately that he committed suicide.

This is one of the issues that people have with the movie, afraid it will cause similar tragedies. Chris should have known better but was perhaps overconfident and caught up in the moment. He had decided on fulfilling his vision and convinced himself that it was possible.

Since the movie there has been a wave of visitors to the area who wish to visit the bus at pay homage to McCandless. Although some see him as young and irresponsible, many view him as a renegade or even a profit.

3. Sense of Adventure

Everyone has a side of Chris in themselves. Few indulge the desires that he did but many wish they could. The grind of everyday life can wear on anyone and is a reason for vacations, parties, and the like. Chris wasn’t able to find that inner peace that everyone seeks. For him, inner peace was only to be found in Alaska where it was up to him to survive without the comforts of modern life. Jon Krakauer, author of the 1996 best-selling book, Into the Wild, supports Chris with the notion that there are no formal rights of passage in modern day society and could be to blame for Chris’s ‘Alaskan Odyssey,’ and that he could not be content without full filling such a feat.

(Appendix, 5)

V. Reviews

1. Pros and Cons

Given that this is a true story, it has gained a lot of criticism. If it were just a fictional story, it could be easy dismissed by viewers. The fact that Chris had every opportunity in life and a very supportive set of parents has views split nearly fifty-fifty. There is the side that praises the film and the idea of soul searching and sees only the joy that Chris experienced along his travels and the other side seeing all the wasted opportunity.

The film is captivating and the scenery is beautiful and ever-changing. The characters he encounters are all very colorful and his adventures are unforgettable, and he is likeable in a way that draws compassion. It seems as though he knows what he’s doing in the way of self fulfillment and that he is in complete control.

The control is lost however when he reaches Alaska. This is the point that draws the most criticism as there were several foolish mistakes made. The first and most noted by locals is the existence of a tram across the river near his camp. Many people feel that he died a reckless and self-righteous death that could be harmfully inspirational to young people. The Alaskan bush is a very dangerous place and he set out into it without even taking a map. He also wanted to live off the land yet he stayed in a bus with a stove and mattress.

There is very little to no empathy that circulates within the crowd of critics. When investigated, his trip into the Alaskan wild was not very well prepared. His efforts were not enough either. Many feel he wouldn’t have made it without the bus and are appalled that he never tried to fish in the nearby river.

2. Positive Evidence

The diaries that he left behind are the only insight anyone has to his true intentions. He seemed to be making progress only towards the very end. After 189 days, he decided to leave but was blocked by the higher waters of the Teklanika River. This coupled with help from the family members in the making of the movie, alludes to the fact that closure could have been possible.

(Appendix, 4)

3. Family Communication

Heavy criticism also comes from those who would love to have the opportunity to go to Harvard with a brand new car to boot. His parents loved him despite any relationship problems and so did his sister. It seems unfair to them, to leave without contact or at least an idea of what he was doing. He never seemed to address the underlying issues involving his family either. His disposition on society was the same way. Instead of fighting, he just decided to run from it. Many people view his actions after college as cowardice, childish, and foolish. He was unfair to his family as well as all of the people he could have influenced in a more positive manner.

There is only one moment where Chris attempts to reach out to his sister but instead gives up his quarter to a man who seems to have more urgent problems. This symbolizes a full commitment to solving whatever turmoil exists within him on his own. There is a notion that his problems have not justified his pain giving reason to continue his travels.

A. Unfair Punishment

He did not put any effort into mending his differences between his parents and alienated his sister who cared deeply for him. A lot of people don’t understand how parents who offer to send their child to Harvard could be treated so unfairly. It was almost as if Chris blamed materialism for his relationship problems or was upset that his parents couldn’t see his distain for that way of life.

VI. Chris’ Mentality

It seemed to be Chris’s goal to be immersed in nature similar to the stories by Jack London with only himself and no society to interfere with personal insight. Even in modern society where everything is readily available, people brave the elements for activities in nature such as hunting and fishing, generally as a pastime. Genetically, survival is in our blood and Chris felt confident that he could handle anything. This story signifies the feeling of many young American’s who seek emotional fulfillment rather than financial.

(Appendix, 2)

VII. Grizzly Man

Another current controversial movie that has attracted similar attention is ‘Grizzly Man.’ a true documentary showing a man camping in the wilderness near a group of bears who claims to have developed a relationship with them. Over time he interacts with them and it seems that he has gained their trust and confidence. There is one bear that gives him a hard time and tension is visible towards the man. Un-phased, Timothy Treadwell continues to try and evolve the relationship.

After five years of documenting his experiences, Treadwell and his girlfriend were killed and eaten by a bear. The producer of the movie explains that Treadwell had a death wish towards the end and nearly everyone who sees the footage feels the same. Not unlike McCandless, Treadwell felt confident in his actions and expressed in a convincing way that he had in fact developed a strong bond with the animals.

IIX. Irony

During his travel Chris has to take up employment to raise money for his trip contradicting his earlier actions of giving away his savings and burning the remaining cash. His whole adventure that he plans seems to be about living off of the land and self growth until he finds the bus. Staying in the shelter seems to contradict his goals and makes it seem that he is hiding from society. Nevertheless, he was showing promising signs that he could return to society and that he made peace with himself in the end before he was blocked by the river.

(Appendix, 8)

IX. Conclusion

1. Purpose of the ‘Alaskan Odyssey’

All in all this is a story of epic proportions. Although it ultimately is centered on one man, the scale of experiences is astounding. From the suburban streets that lead to Harvard, to the relentless Alaskan wild, Chris McCandless journeys to find inner joy so trying only to live a life of happiness. Leaving his family and changing lives along the way, he gives up his worldly possessions in hopes of finding higher meaning. What he finds is a bus that housed him during his last months while he was alone for miles in the Alaskan wilderness.

2. Troubled Soul

Chris was a wonderful person who was very intelligent as well. It is unfortunate that not for a lack of trying that anyone he encountered couldn’t instill a felling of self-worth inside of him. They were all drawn to him due to his kind nature and mysteriousness. He portrayed in a sense that he was troubled, yet always had a knack of putting others first by putting his feelings aside allowing relationships to blossom. In a way he always knew how to fix the lives of those around him while ironically, running away from his own.

3. Martyrdom

In the end he paid the ultimate price to find sanctuary. People can criticize him for his actions and/or the way the story is portrayed, but the fact is that it was his choice to do what he did. Questions and doubt remain about what could have been had he not set out on the road. His intentions were not to perish but to return and possibly write a book about the adventure. He did not ever take into account that it could cost him his life only that it would give him a better understanding of himself and life.

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Appendix

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1.Image from the book Into the Wild (1996), by Jon Krakauer.
2.Self Portrait of Chris that was taken in the summer of 1992. The film was undeveloped and found in his camera.
3.The actual bus where Chris stayed in the summer of 1992. 63°51′36.13″N 149°24′50.62″W
4.Photo taken by James Gallien on Tuesday, April 28, 1992 before Chris trekked into the wild.
5.Self Portrait taken after shooting a porcupine.
6.Phot from official movie cover of Into the Wild.
7.Screen capture from the film Into the Wild, of Emile Hirsch as Chris McCandless in the Colorado River
8.Screen capture from the film Into the Wild, of Emile Hirsch in Alaska.