Chris Mccandless Sacrifice In Into The Wild

“Into The Wild” written by Jon Krauker depicts the life of Chris McCandless, a young man brought up in an affluent family, who then abandons that life to prove to himself that his values are worthwhile and more noble than his families. Chris has sacrificed everything he had in his old life, such as all of his money and possessions. He always showed his strong morals, another way he did was how he gave up a potential career in Law to become something he believed to be more valuable to himself and to his life. Lastly Chris shawn his difference in values opposed to his families by how he was, always so caring and compassionate to everyone he met. No doubt about it Chris was always a man of sacrifice to support his own personal values.

Chris McCandless

left behind everything he had in his old life to make his journey of going to Alaska and living there possible. First off very early in his voyage he was sleeping in his beloved Datsun car one night, he then proceeded burn all of the money he had in his personal possession, in an effort to cut all ties from his previous life. That shows sacrifice for his values because money is a very essential item, the morals he is following are that he does not need the help from his family to survive on his own. That money was from his old life not the life he was living now. Another point in his life where he gave up his old life was right after he finished a program at Emory University. His wealthy father then offered to give Chris $20 000 to now go into Law school. Chris accepted the money from his father, but chose not to go into law school. Chris had no interest in it, his father was the one pushing him into it. After that he then gave every penny of the $20 000 to charity right before he vanished from his families lives. Chris’ values were shown there because he did not do what his father had wanted Chris always knew that law was not something he wished to pursue so he chose a noble way to spend the money. Lastly another item he had left in his old life was his “Beloved” car. He was so attached to it, he called it his “baby”. Chris had left his car when its battery had get wet a night very early on in his journey. Again this is showing how he was getting rid of everything from his old life. It was an easy fix just getting a jumpstart from another car, but Chris knew he had to separate from his car to be fully detach from his former being.
Something that Chris always valued was hard work.

In his old life he did not have to break a sweat for anything, his wealthy family would of had everything done for him. The qualities he seeked in hard work was determination and getting the job done. Chris would never accept a gift from anyone. He viewed this as a handout and not something he had earned on his own. So he would always exchange other people gifts for his work. Everyone always spoke very highly of Chris’ work ethic. He always finished a job to the est of his capability and never left any job unfinished. His old manager at McDonald's said “He was a nice kid, real good worker, real dependable”. Showing his values even to the worst kind of job out there, not one person with his background of being very wealthy would ever work as a cook at Mcdonald’s. Secondly he always showed his values of being a strong worker by doing all of the “dirty jobs” that no one else ever wanted to do. He was always willing to sacrifice his dignity for a job well done. Cheris also would never complain about any job he had to do. For example at McDonald’s when he worked there they had a strict policy about wearing socks to work Chris was not very fond of this rule but he respected it and followed the rule. Once again showing his strong morals on life. With Chris’ work ethic, money and brains he could of done many great things but he chose a life of being something he is very fond of opposed to a life where he is unhappy and

wealthy.
Chris’ personal values also consisted of helping others by always being caring and compassionate person.

This was not the kind of young man most people would expect especially coming from the upper class family that Chris did. He always wrote to the people he met along his way to Alaska just to reassure them of his well being and that he is still on his way to completing his ever so sought after journey. He cared about everyone he met along his voyage and they all cared about him. He valued and appreciated everything they done for him he always told them in his letters. Without these people he never would have made it to Alaska. Another time he showed he cherished in what he believed in was how would not let life be handed to him, that is the way he was brought up and raised. Chris being a bigger man than that knew every man, woman and child should be treated. That is one of the main reasons why he chose to change his socio economic status. Lastly Chris never had the same values as his old friends did. At a party one night he was with his “friends” when he then left the party without telling them and went over to the “sketchy” part of town. The part he went to was known for having prostitutes, homeless people, and drug dealers. Chris would then proceed to offer them a meal and would take them to restaurants and attempt to persuade these people into a better life. He cared for these people, did not know them but knew they were struggling he was willing to help and be there

for them when they needed it. The complete opposite of what every single other person his age and status would be doing for anyone. Chris’ high values made him care so much about everyone and all he wished to do was help. He always wanted to treat everyone with dignity and respect no matter who it was.
Chris McCandless has no doubt sacrificed many things in his life, to prove to himself his values were more sincere than his families. He showed it all by his caring mentality, his hard work ethic and his no acceptance to things he did not earn. Chris gave up so much in his life because all he was seeking was to follow his values into a life that made him happy.